State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund
State democracy defenders fund fills three key gaps in the fight against election sabotage and autocracy: our all-star team goes on offense against democracy deniers who break the law, including through our innovative program of outside public support for criminal prosecutions. We work with national, state and local allies across the country to defend in real-time the foundation of our democracy - free and fair elections. We help shape the long-term strategy to defeat autocracy.
State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund at a glance
In short: State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund gave $5.7M across 7 grants in 2025 (avg $820K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,736,589
- Grants made (2025)
- 7
- Average grant
- $819,513
- Median grant
- $265,075
- Total assets
- $6,761,456
- 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 Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was State Democracy Defenders Action ($2.8M). Together the top 7 received $5.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
7 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 2 grants of 7 (29%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 7 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 7 grants totaling $5.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| State Democracy Defenders Action Washington, DC | General Purpose Support | $2,819,259 |
| Global Impact Washington, DC | Transfer Remaining Funds for Fiscally Sponsored Project, Beacon | $2,194,755 |
| Lowell and Associates Washington, DC | To help launch a social impact focused law firm | $300,000 |
| All Voting Is Local Washington, DC | For General Purpose Support | $265,075 |
| Hannah Dugan Legal Defense Fund Milwaukee, WI | Legal Defense | $100,000 |
| League of United Latin American Citizens Inc Washington, DC | Fund a Legal Fellowship | $50,000 |
| Center for Empowered Politics Education Fund Oakland, CA | General Purpose Support | $7,500 |
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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 | $6,761,456 | $14,488,106 | $12,105,689 | $5,736,589 | 7 | $34,973 |
About State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund
Based on IRS filings
State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2024 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $6.8M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 7 grants totaling $5.7M. Net investment income was $35K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund is led by Matt Traldi, President since 2025 (on filings since 2024); none of the 17 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Matt Traldi
President
Director & President → President, 2025
On filings since 2024
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Corke
President
Managing Director → President, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Norman Eisen
Executive Chair
Director → Executive Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Frosh
Director
On filings since 2024
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Spencer Boyer
Director
On filings since 2024
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lavora Barnes
Director
New on the 2025 filing
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
Sayer Lagalle
Esrn Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Richer
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tianna Mays
Legal Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 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
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hans Klinger
Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Levine
Vice President of Investigations
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 (4)
- Former: Abbey Ford (2024) — Director & Secretary-Partial Year
- Former: Kim Rogers (2024) — Executive Director - Partial Year
- Former: Lindsay Kaplan (2024) — Director - Partial Year
- Former: Steve Mele (2024) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2024–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund
How much does State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund give each year?
State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund gave $5.7M across 7 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund's typical grant size?
State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund's median grant in 2025 was $265,075, and its average grant was $819,513, across 7 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund give grants?
State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund 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 (5 grants).
Does State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 43% of State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 7) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund's largest grantees?
State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund's largest 2025 grantees include State Democracy Defenders Action ($2,819,259), Global Impact ($2,194,755) and Lowell and Associates ($300,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 93% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund?
State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund reported $6.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $14.5M.
What is State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund?
State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Washington, DC. It holds $6.8M in total assets as of 2025.
What is State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund's EIN?
State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-2740517. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2024–2025.
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
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
Live grants for the work State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund funds
Public, Societal Benefit Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in State Democracy Defenders Fund D/B/a Democracy Defenders Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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