Romero Institute
Expose systemic injustice and implement strategic solutions for global warming, economic inequality, human and indigenous rights. Interfaith law and policy center using impact litigation, investigation, grassroots organizing, and public education to achieve sustainable goals.
Romero Institute at a glance
In short: Romero Institute gave $56K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $56K), mostly in New Mexico. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $55,679
- -46.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $55,679
- -46.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $55,679
- Total assets
- $548,987
- -64.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New Mexico (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Romero Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Sacred Defense Fund ($56K).
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 7 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How Romero Institute gives
- Giving fell 29% 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 $5K (2020) to $104K (2023). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $56K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sacred Defense Fund Santa Fe, NM | General Support | $55,679 |
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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 | $548,987 | $2,005,493 | $2,894,634 | $55,679 | 1 | $124,999 |
| 2023 | $1,547,668 | $2,310,390 | $2,647,278 | $103,600 | 1 | $-44,806 |
| 2022 | $1,722,675 | $1,876,523 | $3,188,901 | $56,500 | 2 | $-167,930 |
| 2021 | $3,321,846 | $4,211,706 | $2,734,632 | $78,600 | 3 | $261,316 |
| 2020 | $1,830,139 | $3,012,582 | $2,017,667 | $5,000 | Total only | $6,131 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Romero Institute
Based on IRS filings
Romero Institute is a public charity, based in Santa Cruz, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $549K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $56K. Net investment income was $125K.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Romero Institute is led by Daniel Sheehan, President on every filing since 2020; 5 of 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Daniel Sheehan
President
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$101K (2020) → $139K (2024)
Eric Thiermann
Board Chair
Audit Committee → Audit Committee Chair, 2022
Audit Committee Chair → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gwendolyn Grace
Audit Committee Chair
Board Member → Audit Committee Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chase Iron Eyes
Board Member
Codirector O → Codirector of Lplp, 2022
Codirector of Lplp → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$72K (2020) → $87K (2024)
Sara Nelson
Vice President
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$101K (2020) → $139K (2024)
Karen K. Juarez
Employee
Controller → Employee, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$113K (2021) → $109K (2024)
James Garrison
Employee
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$107K (2024)
Markell Brooks
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Daniel Paul Nelson (2020–2023) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Faye Crosby (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Paul Lee (2020–2022) — Chair of the Board
- Former: Pearl Means (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Benjamin Eichert (2022) — Program Director Lgca
- Former: Heidi Harmon (2022) — Senior Public Affairs
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 $139K, to Daniel Sheehan (President). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Romero Institute
How much does Romero Institute give each year?
Romero Institute gave $56K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $104K across 1 grant.
How large is Romero Institute?
Romero Institute reported $549K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.0M.
Where does Romero Institute operate?
Romero Institute has awarded grants in California, New Mexico, South Dakota.
What is Romero Institute's EIN?
Romero Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-3527131. 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
(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 15, 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 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Figures come from Romero Institute'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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