Solidago Foundation
Solidago Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Northampton, Massachusetts, established in 2005. The organization operates as a grantmaking foundation focused on supporting progressive, community-based organizations working toward systemic change.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.0M
-12.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.1M
+344.5% YoY
Grant Count
14
-44.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$148K
+693.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Solidago Foundation's mission is to promote justice, equity, sustainability, and enfranchisement for all through charitable grantmaking to and work with progressive, empowering, community-based organizations and collaborations.
The foundation's grantmaking strategy focuses on:
- Creative and effective grassroots organizing for non-partisan systemic reform
- Civic engagement and voting rights
- National pro-democracy networks that provide resources to grassroots groups
- Organizations working to alleviate poverty and disenfranchisement
- Sustainable jobs and environmental protection
Grantmaking
Solidago Foundation makes grants to public charities working in or for the benefit of poor communities. Recent grants documented include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Solidago Foundation's grantmaking strategy emphasizes three key states: Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina. The foundation also funds national pro-democracy networks and organizations working at the national level.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $2.25 million
- Total Revenue: $2.48 million
- Total Expenses: $1.98 million
- Total Liabilities: $943,000
- Staff: 10 employees
As of 2024 (most recent filing):
- Total Assets: $1.98 million
- Total Giving: $2.25 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,980,068 | $2,254,168 | $1,691,144 |
| Revenue | $2,911,274 | $2,480,105 | $2,007,419 |
| Expenses | $3,920,627 | $1,984,114 | $2,629,046 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $4,923 | $2,017 | $10,866 |
| 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
129 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Circle for Justice Innovations Inc ($1,475,233), See Forward Fund Inc ($100,000), Circle for Justice Innovations Inc ($81,897).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARIZONA CENTER FOR EMPOWERMENT (ACE) PHOENIX, AZ | PROJECT SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BLACK MALE INITIATIVE GEORGIA (BMIGA) ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT C3 WORK | $35,000 |
| BLUEPRINT DURHAM, NC | PROJECT SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BLUEPRINT DURHAM, NC | PROJECT SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| CHISPA A PROGRAM OF LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS EDUCATION FUND PHOENIX, AZ | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| COMMON CAUSE RALEIGH, NC | PROJECT SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| GEORGIA STAND-UP ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| PROGEORGIA ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $35,000 |
| RURAL AZ ENGAGEMENT (RAZE) COOLIDGE, AZ | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| SEE FORWARD FUND INC NORTHAMPTON, MA | LOBBYING GRANT | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Isabelle H. Leighton serves as Treasurer of the Board of Directors.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINDA STOUT | DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT | 40 | $79,439 |
| JOHN VAUGHN | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| ISABELLE M LEIGHTON | TREASURER/SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| ALEAH BACQUIE VAUGHN | CJI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $10,003 |
| DAVID NORDSTROM | CJI FISCAL AGENT COORDINAT | 40 | $104,774 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Solidago Foundation fund?
Solidago Foundation's mission is to promote justice, equity, sustainability, and enfranchisement for all through charitable grantmaking to and work with progressive, empowering, community-based organizations and collaborations. The foundation's grantmaking strategy focuses on: • Creative and effective grassroots organizing for non-partisan systemic reform • Civic engagement and voting rights • National pro-democracy networks that provide resources to grassroots groups • Organizations working to…
How do I apply for a grant from Solidago Foundation?
Solidago Foundation makes grants to public charities working in or for the benefit of poor communities. Recent grants documented include: • Legal Services for Prisoners with Children: $25,000 (General Support, 2023) • Peace Development Fund: $25,000 (General Support, 2023) • Best Practices Policy Project: $25,000 (General Support, 2023) The foundation made 24 grants totaling $455,000 in 2023. Typical award ranges documented are $10,000–$1,475,233.
Where does Solidago Foundation make grants?
Solidago Foundation's grantmaking strategy emphasizes three key states: Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina. The foundation also funds national pro-democracy networks and organizations working at the national level.
What size grants does Solidago Foundation award?
In 2024, Solidago Foundation awarded 14 grants totaling $2.1M — an average of about $148K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Solidago Foundation's EIN?
Solidago Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2963670. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Solidago Foundation'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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