Protect Democracy United
Protect Democracy United is a public charity based in Washington, DC. It describes its work as using litigation, advocacy, research, and technology to counter authoritarian threats, protect elections and dissent, and build a multiparty democracy.
Protect Democracy United at a glance
In short: Protect Democracy United gave $2.0M across 18 grants in 2024 (avg $110K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,979,500
- +67.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 18
- +350.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $109,972
- -62.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $45,000
- Total assets
- $11,100,616
- -19.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (62% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Protect Democracy United
- Contact
Mailing address: 2020 Pennsylvania Ave Nw 163, Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (202) 695-6590
Website: https://protectdemocracy.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Protect Democracy United funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Defending Democracy Together ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
34 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 15 grants of 34 (44%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars were reported across several recipient states. The largest shares went to DC (62%), Wisconsin (15%), and Maryland (8%); Michigan and North Carolina each accounted for 3%. The listed grants also included recipients in Pennsylvania and Georgia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Protect Democracy United gives
- Giving grew 344% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $446K (2021) to $2.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 18 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Defending Democracy Together Washington, DC | To support program activities permissible under section 501(c)(4) of the code. | $1,000,000 |
| Workmoney Inc Milwaukee, WI | To support program activities permissible under section 501(c)(4) of the code. | $300,000 |
| Sixteen Thirty Fund Baltimore, MD | To support program activities permissible under section 501(c)(4) of the code. | $150,000 |
| Secure Democracy USA Washington, DC | To support program activities permissible under section 501(c)(4) of the code. | $67,000 |
| Count Mi Vote Dbavoters Not Politicians Lansing, MI | To support program activities permissible under section 501(c)(4) of the code. | $60,000 |
| Leadership Now Project Washington, DC | To support program activities permissible under section 501(c)(4) of the code. | $60,000 |
| Make NC First Raleigh, NC | To support program activities permissible under section 501(c)(4) of the code. | $60,000 |
| Promote the Vote PA Philadelophia, PA | To support program activities permissible under section 501(c)(4) of the code. | $60,000 |
| We Vote We Win Atlanta, GA | To support program activities permissible under section 501(c)(4) of the code. | $60,000 |
| America Votes Washington, DC | To support program activities permissible under section 501(c)(4) of the code. | $30,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11,100,616 | $3,709,174 | $5,532,325 | $1,979,500 | 18 | $334,090 |
| 2023 | $13,751,759 | $2,660,683 | $4,960,197 | $1,185,000 | 4 | $240,026 |
| 2022 | $15,192,937 | $13,280,811 | $3,981,843 | $820,000 | 7 | $88,793 |
| 2021 | $6,620,897 | $1,611,580 | $1,380,670 | $446,230 | 3 | $72,904 |
| 2020 | $7,275,637 | $2,876,116 | $1,028,809 | $450,000 | 2 | $-42,831 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to prevent American democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. It says it works to strengthen checks and balances and confront threats through litigation, policy advocacy, public communications, and organizing.
Its 2024 grants included support for organizations whose stated missions cover several areas. Defending Democracy Together says it works to protect and defend American democratic norms and institutions; Secure Democracy USA says it works to build stronger elections, state by state; and Leadership Now Project says it mobilizes business and thought leaders to advance solutions that strengthen democratic institutions. Other grantees describe work on affordability and economic security, voter education, and ballot access.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Protect Democracy United reported 18 grants totaling $1,979,500. Grant amounts ranged from $7,500 to $1,000,000, with a median of $45,000. The largest grants included $1,000,000 to Defending Democracy Together, $300,000 to WorkMoney Inc, and $150,000 to Sixteen Thirty Fund. Other reported grants included $67,000 to Secure Democracy USA and $60,000 each to Count MI Vote, Leadership Now Project, Make NC First, Promote the Vote PA, and We Vote We Win.
Grantees were required to sign an agreement affirming that they were bona fide 501(c)(4) or 501(c)(3) organizations and would use grant funds only for activities permissible under those sections. The filing says staff identify grantees conducting work consistent with the organization’s mission, submit recommendations to a manager for initial approval, and then forward them to finance and legal teams for final review.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Justin Florence as secretary and managing director, Jeff Berman as president, Jerry Hauser as treasurer, Richard R. Buery Jr. as director, and Ian Bassin as executive director.
Protect Democracy United is led by Ian Bassin, Executive Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 2 of 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ian Bassin
Executive Director
President & Executive Director → Executive Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$7K (2020) → $36K (2024)
Jeff Berman
President
Director → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Florence
Secretary & Managing Director
Secretary & Legal Director → Secretary & Co-Managing Director, 2023
Secretary & Co-Managing Director → Secretary & Managing Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$2K (2020) → $22K (2024)
Richard R. Buery Jr.
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Hauser
Treasurer
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2021
Secretary & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Anne Tindall (2021) — Counsel
- Former: Ben Berwick (2021) — Counsel
- Former: Kristy Parker (2021) — Counsel
- Former: Sam Royston (2021) — Developer
- Former: Victoria Canavor (2021) — Chief Operating Officer
- Former: Emily Loeb (2020) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $36K, to Ian Bassin (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Protect Democracy United
How much does Protect Democracy United give each year?
Protect Democracy United gave $2.0M across 18 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.2M across 4 grants.
What is Protect Democracy United's typical grant size?
Protect Democracy United's median grant in 2024 was $45,000, and its average grant was $109,972, across 18 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Protect Democracy United give grants?
Protect Democracy United gives mostly in District of Columbia: 62% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Wisconsin (15%) and Maryland (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (7 grants) and Phoenix, AZ (3 grants).
Does Protect Democracy United give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on Protect Democracy United's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Protect Democracy United's largest grantees?
Protect Democracy United's largest 2024 grantees include Defending Democracy Together ($1,000,000), Workmoney Inc ($300,000) and Sixteen Thirty Fund ($150,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 73% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Protect Democracy United?
Protect Democracy United reported $11.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.7M.
What does Protect Democracy United fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to prevent American democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government. It says it works to strengthen checks and balances and confront threats through litigation, policy advocacy, public communications, and organizing. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Protect Democracy United?
Protect Democracy United has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check protectdemocracy.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Protect Democracy United's EIN?
Protect Democracy United's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-4827260. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Protect Democracy United's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Protect Democracy United funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/protect-democracy-united-morg_3cc50da00e4a4c6fb323dd47f4cace09
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_814827260_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Protect Democracy United funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/protect-democracy-united-morg_3cc50da00e4a4c6fb323dd47f4cace09},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Protect Democracy United's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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