Public Religion Research Institute Inc
Public Religion Research Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, independent firm specializing in research at the intersection of religion, values, and public policy. As a research organization, we do not take positions on, nor do we advocate for, particular policies.
Public Religion Research Institute Inc at a glance
In short: Public Religion Research Institute Inc gave $59K across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $20K), mostly in Louisiana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $58,930
- -41.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- +200.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $19,643
- -80.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $12,000
- Total assets
- $5,730,225
- +6.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (59% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Public Religion Research Institute Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was E Pluribus Unum Institute ($35K). Together the top 3 received $59K.
Grant Size Distribution
6 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 3 grants of 6 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $59K (2024) to $287K (2022). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $59K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| E Pluribus Unum Institute New Orleans, LA | Research Support Subgrant | $35,000 |
| Qualtrics LLC Provo, UT | LGBTQ Research Microgrant | $12,000 |
| Yougov America Inc Redwood City, CA | Research Microgrant | $11,930 |
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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 | $5,730,225 | $3,923,505 | $3,488,154 | $58,930 | 3 | $248,065 |
| 2023 | $5,377,505 | $2,463,397 | $3,266,261 | $100,000 | 1 | $196,042 |
| 2022 | $6,333,281 | $4,508,777 | $2,843,220 | $286,600 | 2 | $67,423 |
| 2021 | $4,911,931 | $4,867,405 | $1,885,769 | — | — | $69,277 |
| 2020 | $1,737,137 | $2,074,401 | $1,867,832 | — | — | $42,314 |
About Public Religion Research Institute Inc
Based on IRS filings
Public Religion Research Institute Inc is a public charity focused on religion, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $5.7M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $59K. Net investment income was $248K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Public Religion Research Institute Inc is led by Melissa Deckman, CEO since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 5 of 18 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Melissa Deckman
CEO
Chair → CEO, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$92K (2022) → $225K (2024)
Robert P. Jones
President
CEO → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$211K (2020) → $274K (2024)
Ruth Braunstein
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Diana Orces
Director of Research
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$118K (2023) → $141K (2024)
Obery M. Hendricks Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Very Rev Dr Kelly Brown Douglas
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gerardo Marti
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andra Gillespie
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Whitehead
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stella Rouse
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jacqui Lewis
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Hong
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jemar Tisby
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
T. Sean Sands
Chief of Staff
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$152K (2020) → $185K (2024)
Colleen Ross
Senior Communcations Ass
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$114K (2024)
Janelle Wong
Secretary & Treasurer
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Walker
Former Chair
Secretary & Treasurer → Chair, 2022
Chair → Former Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
The Right Rev V. Gene Robinson
Vice Chair
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Alan I. Abramowitz (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Natalie Jackson (2020–2022) — Director of Research
- Former: Terry Connelly (2020–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Paul A. Djupe (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Vipin Sahijwani (2020–2021) — Director
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 $274K, to Dr Robert P Jones (President). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Public Religion Research Institute Inc
How much does Public Religion Research Institute Inc give each year?
Public Religion Research Institute Inc gave $59K across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $100K across 1 grant.
What is Public Religion Research Institute Inc's typical grant size?
Public Religion Research Institute Inc's median grant in 2024 was $12,000, and its average grant was $19,643, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Public Religion Research Institute Inc give grants?
Public Religion Research Institute Inc gives mostly in Louisiana: 59% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Utah (20%) and California (20%).
Does Public Religion Research Institute Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on Public Religion Research Institute Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is Public Religion Research Institute Inc?
Public Religion Research Institute Inc reported $5.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.9M.
What is Public Religion Research Institute Inc?
Public Religion Research Institute Inc is a public charity focused on religion, based in Washington, DC. It holds $5.7M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Public Religion Research Institute Inc's EIN?
Public Religion Research Institute Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-0586980. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Public Religion Research Institute Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?