Shared Ascent Fund
Shared Ascent Fund's mission is to promote the common good by upholding democratic values, promoting health, and advancing social equity.
Shared Ascent Fund at a glance
In short: Shared Ascent Fund gave $1.3M across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $208K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,250,000
- +100.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $208,333
- +33.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $225,000
- Total assets
- $6,438,539
- -14.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Shared Ascent Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Campaign Legal Center Inc ($250K). Together the top 6 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
41 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 19 grants of 41 (46%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Shared Ascent Fund gives
- Giving fell 66% 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 $625K (2023) to $3.7M (2021). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign Legal Center Inc Washington, DC | General Support | $250,000 |
| Voter Registration Project Washington, DC | General Support | $250,000 |
| Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Inc Washington, DC | General Support | $250,000 |
| Constitutional Accountability Center Washington, DC | General Support | $200,000 |
| All Voting Is Local Washington, DC | General Support | $200,000 |
| Leadership Conference Education Fund Inc Washington, DC | General Support | $100,000 |
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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 | $6,438,539 | $5,780,793 | $6,313,985 | $1,250,000 | 6 | $-37 |
| 2023 | $7,484,913 | $8,389,901 | $5,869,114 | $625,000 | 4 | $422 |
| 2022 | $4,259,803 | $6,441,198 | $7,098,129 | $2,221,341 | 11 | $7,008 |
| 2021 | $4,357,054 | $8,676,213 | $4,894,961 | $3,725,000 | 8 | $-5,430 |
| 2020 | $199,745 | $1,739,897 | $2,593,602 | $2,410,000 | 12 | $1,205 |
About Shared Ascent Fund
Based on IRS filings
Shared Ascent Fund is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Sacramento, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $6.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $1.3M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Shared Ascent Fund is led by Avi Garbow See Sch O., Director & President since 2024 (on filings since 2022); 9 of 14 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Avi Garbow See Sch O.
Director & President
Director & President → Chair -, 2023
Chair - → Director & President, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$17K (2022) → $20K (2024)
Matthew Armsby See Sch O.
Vice President & Interim President
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
$2K (2024)
Jason Burnett
Director & Chair
Treasurer → Director, 2021
Director → Director & Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher J. Elliman
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Martha Kongsgaard
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Roy
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Preston Pinkett III
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Helena Choi See Sch O.
Secretary & Vice President
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$6K (2022) → $6K (2024)
Rosina Bugarin See Sch O.
Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
$8K (2022) → $22K (2024)
Jamie Hart Dir Coalition
To Expand Contraceptive Access
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$326K (2023) → $346K (2024)
Lisa Stern Dep Dir Coalition
To Expand Contraceptive Access
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$223K (2023) → $258K (2024)
Michael Pierce Dir
Student Borrower Protection Center
On filings since 2023
39 hrs/week
$245K (2023) → $242K (2024)
Persis Siching Yu Policy Dir
Man. Counsel & Stdnt Bwr Prot. Ctr
On filings since 2023
39 hrs/week
$208K (2023) → $213K (2024)
Sheila Desai Dir
To Expand Contraceptive Access
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$180K (2024)
Former officers (12)
- Former: Steve Daetz (2020–2023) — Chair -
- Former: Sheila Desai (2023) — Research Director
- Former: Jamie Hart (2022) — Director & Contraceptive Access
- Former: Katherine Welbeck (2022) — Advocacy Director & Stdt. Borr. Center
- Former: Lisa F. Stern (2022) — Deputy Director & Contraceptive Access
- Former: Michael Mantell--Pres (2022) — Then Senior Advisor · Filing note: Thru
- Former: Michael Pierce (2022) — Director & Student Borrowing Ctr.
- Former: Persis Siching Yu (2022) — Pol. Director, Counsel & Stdt. Borr. Ctr.
- Former: Helena Choi (2020–2021) — Secretary & Vice President
- Former: Michael A. Mantell (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Rosina Bugarin (2020–2021) — Treasurer & CFO
- Former: Kathleen Welch (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 $346K, to Jamie Hart DIR Coalition (To Expand Contraceptive Access). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Shared Ascent Fund
How much does Shared Ascent Fund give each year?
Shared Ascent Fund gave $1.3M across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $625K across 4 grants.
What is Shared Ascent Fund's typical grant size?
Shared Ascent Fund's median grant in 2024 was $225,000, and its average grant was $208,333, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Shared Ascent Fund give grants?
Shared Ascent Fund gives mostly in District of Columbia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (6 grants).
Does Shared Ascent Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Shared Ascent Fund's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Shared Ascent Fund's largest grantees?
Shared Ascent Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Campaign Legal Center Inc ($250,000), Voter Registration Project ($250,000) and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Inc ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Shared Ascent Fund?
Shared Ascent Fund reported $6.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.8M.
What is Shared Ascent Fund?
Shared Ascent Fund is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Sacramento, CA. It holds $6.4M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Shared Ascent Fund's EIN?
Shared Ascent Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-4584093. 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 October 20, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 16, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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