State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action
State democracy defenders action, d/b/a democracy defenders action is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization which was formed on may 24, 2023 and located in the District Of Columbia. Democracy defender action's mission is to safeguard American democracy from corruption and election interference through public policy and other advocacy initiatives and by shaping public understanding of the threats posed by autocracy.
State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action at a glance
In short: State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action gave $2.5M across 9 grants in 2025 (avg $276K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,486,270
- +95.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 9
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $276,252
- +95.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $9,349,748
- +219.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Global Impact Social Welfare ($2.0M). Together the top 9 received $2.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
21 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 21 (62%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $222K (2023) to $2.5M (2025). In 2025 it made 9 grants totaling $2.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Global Impact Social Welfare Washington, DC | Transfer Remaining Funds for Fiscally Sponsored Project, Beacon | $1,967,848 |
| Lowell and Associates Washington, DC | For legal services defending the social welfare and /or civil rights of clients | $250,000 |
| Democracy 21 Washington, DC | For General Purpose Support | $158,922 |
| League of United Latin American Citizens Inc Washington, DC | For General Purpose Support | $25,000 |
| Forward Pac Inc Madison, WI | For General Purpose Support | $25,000 |
| Fair Fight Action Inc Atlanta, GA | For General Purpose Support | $20,000 |
| Democracy Alliance Washington, DC | For General Purpose Support | $17,500 |
| Democratic Party of Wisconsin Operations Segregated Fund Madison, WI | For General Purpose Support | $12,000 |
| All Voting Is Local Action Washington, DC | For General Purpose Support | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $9,349,748 | $11,669,368 | $8,798,233 | $2,486,270 | 9 | $39,648 |
| 2024 | $2,930,444 | $3,906,336 | $2,739,705 | $1,270,500 | 9 | — |
| 2023 | $1,763,813 | $2,956,000 | $1,192,187 | $222,000 | 3 | — |
About State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action
Based on IRS filings
State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2023 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $9.3M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 9 grants totaling $2.5M. Net investment income was $40K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action is led by Kim Rogers, Executive Director since 2025 (on filings since 2023); 8 of 18 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Kim Rogers
Executive Director
Executive Director → Executive Director - Partial Year, 2024
Executive Director - Partial Year → Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$72K (2023) → $166K (2025)
Matt Traldi
President
Director & President → President, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
$14K (2023) → $0 (2025)
Susan Corke
President
Managing Director → President, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$236K (2025)
Norman Eisen
Executive Chair
Director → Executive Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
0.1 hrs/week
$40K (2025)
Lavora Barnes
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.1 hrs/week
$120K (2025)
Sayer Lagalle
Esrn Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$148K (2025)
Tianna Mays
Legal Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$106K (2025)
Brian Frosh
Director
On filings since 2024
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Esosa Osa
Director
On filings since 2024
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Gertner
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rahna Epting
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Richer
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Joseph Walsh
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Kristol
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Allison Rice
Secretary & Treasurer
Director, Secretary & Research Supervisor → Secretary & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$4K (2023) → $89K (2025)
James Levine
Vice President of Investigations
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$194K (2025)
Hans Klinger
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Jackel
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Steven Mele (2023–2024) — Treasurer - Partial Year
- Former: Ted Dintersmith (2023–2024) — Director - Partial Year
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $236K, to Susan Corke (President (Effective 12/19/24)). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action
How much does State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action give each year?
State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action gave $2.5M across 9 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.3M across 9 grants.
What is State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action's typical grant size?
State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $276,252, across 9 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action give grants?
State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action gives mostly in District of Columbia: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (6 grants) and Madison, WI (2 grants).
Does State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action give general operating support?
Yes: 78% of State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action's largest grantees?
State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action's largest 2025 grantees include Global Impact Social Welfare ($1,967,848), Lowell and Associates ($250,000) and Democracy 21 ($158,922), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 96% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action?
State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action reported $9.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.7M.
What is State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action?
State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Washington, DC. It holds $9.3M in total assets as of 2025.
What is State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action's EIN?
State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-1524544. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2025.
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 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2024
Live grants for the work State Democracy Defenders Action D/B/a Democracy Defenders Action funds
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