Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc
The Rights & Democracy Education Fund, d.b.a. The rights & democracy institute (RDI), works to advance human rights and a healthy, just, and equitable future for our communities. Through grassroots organizing, transformative policy work, and supporting the development of a new generation of leaders from communities across Vermont and New Hampshire, particularly those that have been most impacted by systems of oppression, RDI is building power for a strong and inclusive multiracial democracy where everyone can thrive.
Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc at a glance
In short: Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc gave $50K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $50K), mostly in Vermont. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $50,000
- -79.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- -90.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $50,000
- +102.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $148,933
- -73.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Vermont (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Rights & Democracy Project Inc ($50K).
Grant Size Distribution
17 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 17 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $50K (2024) to $382K (2022). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $50K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rights & Democracy Project Inc Burlington, VT | Lobbying Grant | $50,000 |
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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 | $148,933 | $484,515 | $904,068 | $50,000 | 1 | $241 |
| 2023 | $565,231 | $1,570,685 | $1,465,280 | $246,574 | 10 | $241 |
| 2022 | $497,438 | $1,441,565 | $1,736,230 | $381,520 | 6 | $31 |
| 2021 | $896,041 | $1,564,835 | $1,140,847 | — | — | $47 |
| 2020 | $481,344 | $756,058 | $661,126 | — | — | $438 |
About Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc
Based on IRS filings
Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc is a nonprofit organization focused on Crime & Legal Related, based in Burlington, VT. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $149K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $50K. Net investment income was $241.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc is led by Alison Nihart, Executive Director on every filing since 2023; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Alison Nihart
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
36.8 hrs/week
$68K (2023) → $82K (2024)
Amanda Janoo
Chair
Director → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Lynch
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ed Taylor
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Rasmussen
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamie McCallum
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barb Wilson
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (24)
- Former: Mary Gannon (2020–2023) — Chair
- Former: Cathy Albisa (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Margaret Daly (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: David Kirkpatrick (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Lidia Yen (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Natasha Eckart-Baning (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Clifton West (2022) — Director
- Former: Duaa Zahra (2022) — Director
- Former: Katie McCarty (2022) — Director
- Former: Kirthana Vallesi (2022) — Director of Operations
- Former: Ruqaiyah Khadijah Morris (2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Andrea Polizos (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Annelise Orleck (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: James Haslam (2020–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Lynn Merlone (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Mary Gerisch (2020–2021) — Co-Chair
- Former: Peri Stockinger (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Sefakor Komabu-Pomeiye (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Traven Leyshon (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Zoraya Hightower (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jan Schaffer (2020) — Co-Chair
- Former: Joan Javier-Duval (2020) — Director
- Former: Michelle Sanborn (2020) — Director
- Former: Phil Fiermonte (2020) — 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 $82K, to Alison Nihart (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc
How much does Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc give each year?
Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc gave $50K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $247K across 10 grants.
How large is Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc?
Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc reported $149K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $485K.
What is Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc?
Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc is a nonprofit organization focused on Crime & Legal Related, based in Burlington, VT. It holds $149K in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc operate?
Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc has awarded grants in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Vermont.
What is Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc's EIN?
Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-5375511. 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Rights & Democracy Education Fund Inc funds
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