Proteus Fund is a national public charity and donor-advised fund organization based in Waltham, Massachusetts, with offices in New York and the Boston metro area, plus remote staff across the country. Founded in 1994, the organization connects progressive philanthropists, movement leaders, and social justice advocates through collaborative grantmaking and fiscal sponsorship models. Since its founding, Proteus Fund and its affiliated organizations have distributed over $250 million in grants.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$67.1M
-12.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$21.6M
+3.3% YoY
Grant Count
219
-24.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$99K
+37.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Proteus Fund partners with foundations, advocates, and individual donors to advance democracy, human rights, and peace. The organization focuses on the interconnected goals of racial, gender, queer, and disability justice alongside an inclusive, fully representative democracy, recognizing that progress on all fronts is essential to realizing a more equitable, just, and democratic future.
The organization's work centers on:
- Racial, gender, queer, and disability justice
- Democratic advancement and reform
- Advocacy and civic engagement
- Reproductive rights and prevention of violence against women and children
- Progressive electoral reforms and government accountability
- Digital security
- Progressive narrative power and critical movement messaging
- Community engagement in grantmaking decision-making
Grantmaking
Proteus Fund operates through two primary mechanisms:
How to Apply
Proteus Fund does not accept or respond to unsolicited requests for funding. Interested parties should contact the organization directly through their website contact form.
Ready to take the next step with Proteus Fund Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Proteus Fund is a national organization with a presence across the United States through its office locations and remote staff network.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total assets: $76,288,239
- Total revenues: $73,102,909
- Total expenses: $49,221,407
- Number of employees: 105
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) charitable organization
- EIN: 04-3243004
- Tax-exempt since September 1994
- Signatory to Philanthropy's Promise, committing a significant percentage of grantmaking dollars to meeting the needs of underserved communities, including financial support of advocacy and civic engagement
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $67,104,176 | $76,288,239 | $54,254,399 |
| Revenue | $43,200,431 | $73,102,909 | $62,955,408 |
| Expenses | $50,856,079 | $49,221,407 | $59,655,544 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,822,910 | $1,816,325 | $474,402 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
200 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Council on American Islamic Relations California ($27,000), University of Colorado Foundation ($27,000), Arts Council of Greater New Haven ($26,750).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHICAGO LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS CHICAGO, IL | RIGHTS & JUSTICE | $25,000 |
| MISSISSIPPI CENTER FOR JUSTICE JACKSON, MS | DEMOCRACY | $25,000 |
| PARTICIPATORY POLITICS FOUNDATION BROOKLYN, NY | DEMOCRACY | $25,000 |
| PARTNERS FOR JUSTICE NEW YORK CITY, NY | RIGHTS & JUSTICE | $25,000 |
| ISLAMIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND BERKELEY, CA | RIGHTS & JUSTICE | $25,000 |
| ISAIAH SAINT PAUL, MN | DEMOCRACY | $25,000 |
| SHERI ECKERT FOUNDATION PORTLAND, OR | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| JUSTICE NOT POLITICS ALASKA CIVICS EDUCATION FUND ANCHORAGE, AK | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WISCONSIN MADISON, WI | DEMOCRACY | $25,000 |
| COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER INC DENVER, CO | DEMOCRACY | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL DI DONATO | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $369,231 |
| BEERY JIMENEZ | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $226,413 |
| MICHAEL JARVIS | PROGRAM DIRECTOR | 40 | $198,433 |
| SYDNEY HENRIQUES-PAYNE | DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE & CULTURE | 40 | $195,064 |
| RYAN CHAVEZ | FORMER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $176,379 |
| NICOLE CAMPBELL | CHAIR | 5 | — |
| NIMA SHIRAZI | VICE CHAIR | 5 | — |
| RICK SCOTT | TREASURER | 5 | — |
| DESIREE FLORES | SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| TAMMY DOWLEY-BLACKMAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| PATRICIA ENG | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| EVERETTE THOMPSON-FRANCOIS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| RISA RIFKIND | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MARIA TERESA ROJAS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| BETSY SCHMIDT | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TIA OROS PETERS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ERIC WARD | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Proteus Fund signed the Grantmakers United for Trans Communities (GUTC) Pledge, demonstrating commitment to trans community support
Proteus Fund Signs Grantmakers United for Trans Communities (GUTC) PledgeLaunched the Disability Culture Lab in 2024 as a nonprofit media lab for the disabled community working to shift narratives on disability and ableism
Established the Disability & Philanthropy Forum as a project advancing disability inclusion, rights, and justice across the philanthropic sector
Contact Information
Mailing Address: Proteus Fund PO Box 825467 Philadelphia, PA 19182-5467
Office Address: 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451-1255
Phone: (413) 256-0349
Website: www.proteusfund.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Proteus Fund Inc fund?
Proteus Fund partners with foundations, advocates, and individual donors to advance democracy, human rights, and peace. The organization focuses on the interconnected goals of racial, gender, queer, and disability justice alongside an inclusive, fully representative democracy, recognizing that progress on all fronts is essential to realizing a more equitable, just, and democratic future. The organization's work centers on: • **Racial, gender, queer, and disability justice** • **Democratic advan…
How do I apply for a grant from Proteus Fund Inc?
Proteus Fund operates through two primary mechanisms: The organization mobilizes funders around pressing issues and aligns their resources with movement needs through collaborative grantmaking strategies. Current donor collaboratives include: • **Piper Fund** — Brings together individual donors and foundations to defend democratic institutions and the rule of law, connecting and resourcing grassroots organizations dedicated to protecting democracy and envisioning reforms for greater inclusivity.
Where does Proteus Fund Inc make grants?
Proteus Fund is a national organization with a presence across the United States through its office locations and remote staff network.
What size grants does Proteus Fund Inc award?
In 2024, Proteus Fund Inc awarded 219 grants totaling $21.6M — an average of about $99K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Proteus Fund Inc's EIN?
Proteus Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3243004. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Proteus Fund Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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