State Democracy Project
State Democracy Project is a public charity based in Brooklyn, New York. It supports grassroots initiatives by providing fiscal sponsorship to projects working to increase citizen participation and make government more responsive.
State Democracy Project at a glance
In short: State Democracy Project gave $46.9M across 26 grants in 2024 (avg $1.8M), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $46,903,090
- +181.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 26
- +333.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,803,965
- -35.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $131,492
- Total assets
- $4,993,683
- +60.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (71% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to State Democracy Project
- How to Apply
-
Organizations whose mission and vision align with State Democracy Project’s purpose can submit the fiscal sponsorship inquiry form on its website. The organization says sponsored funds are restricted to the charitable and educational purposes of the sponsored projects; funds it accepts cannot be used for political activities. Sponsorship agreements set out obligations and reporting requirements, and the organization may charge up to 7.5% of gifts received for a project to help cover administrative and management costs.
- Contact
Mailing address: 77 Sands Street 6Th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (201) 815-8499
Website: https://statedemocracyproject.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who State Democracy Project funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Working Families Power ($29.9M). Together the top 10 received $45.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
59 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 26 grants of 59 (44%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization says it works with organizations across the country. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in New York (71%) and Massachusetts (21%), followed by Georgia (3%), Wisconsin (1%), and Nevada (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How State Democracy Project gives
- Giving grew 16656% 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 $280K (2021) to $46.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 26 grants totaling $46.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Working Families Power Brooklyn, NY | State Reform Fellowships and Sponsored Projects | $29,888,301 |
| Pro Democracy Campaign Foxboro, MA | Exclusively for the explicit charitable, 501(c)(3) eligible purposes described in grantee's proposal | $9,931,750 |
| Working Families Organization - GNDN Brooklyn, NY | Nonpartisan Educational and Charitable Activities | $1,519,019 |
| Be a Hero Education Fund New York, NY | 501(C)(3)-Appropriate Activities | $1,364,769 |
| New Georgia Project Atlanta, GA | We Choose US Campaign W/ Pro-Democracy Center | $1,000,000 |
| Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Las Vegas, NV | We Choose US Campaign W/ Pro-Democracy Center | $500,000 |
| Black Male Initiative of GA Fairburn, GA | We Choose US Campaign W/ Pro-Democracy Center | $400,000 |
| Wisdom Inc Cudahy, WI | We Choose US Campaign W/ Pro-Democracy Center | $380,000 |
| Black Men Build Brooklyn, NY | To engage, educate and organize black men on local and national political and social issues | $366,685 |
| Carolina Federation Fund Durham, NC | We Choose US Campaign W/ Pro-Democracy Center | $300,000 |
Ready to take the next step with State Democracy Project?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,993,683 | $50,078,828 | $48,608,231 | $46,903,090 | 26 | $104,717 |
| 2023 | $3,119,318 | $19,722,670 | $17,024,385 | $16,661,466 | 6 | — |
| 2022 | $1,632,857 | $1,932,025 | $2,456,576 | $2,240,255 | 9 | — |
| 2021 | $802,575 | $486,044 | $673,035 | $279,911 | 8 | — |
| 2020 | $977,844 | $1,595,414 | $733,306 | $360,000 | 10 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to improve American democracy by encouraging increased citizen participation in elections and policy-making, and more responsive government institutions at the local, state, and federal levels. Its program description says it supports grassroots organizations pursuing structural changes to expand participation, make government more responsive, and build a more democratic society, primarily through fiscal sponsorship.
Examples of grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations it supports. New Georgia Project says it works to increase civic participation among historically marginalized communities through nonpartisan voter registration, organizing, and advocacy. Wisconsin-based WISDOM says it trains leaders and organizes people for social change through congregation-based community organizations. Be A Hero Education Fund says it is building a movement of patients seeking guaranteed health care for all.
Grantmaking
In 2024, State Democracy Project reported 26 grants totaling $46,903,090. The median grant was $131,492; grants ranged from $6,582 to $29,888,301. Separately, the organization reported entering into 18 fiscal sponsorship agreements by the end of 2024.
Its largest reported grants included $29,888,301 to Working Families Power for “state reform fellowships and sponsored projects” and $9,931,750 to Pro Democracy Campaign for charitable purposes described in the grantee’s proposal. Other large grants included $1,519,019 to Working Families Organization - GNDN, $1,364,769 to Be a Hero Education Fund, and $1,000,000 to New Georgia Project. Several grants were designated for the “We Choose Us Campaign w/ Pro-Democracy Center,” including grants to New Georgia Project, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, WISDOM, Carolina Federation Fund, Center for Popular Democracy, and Community Change.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Tamara Brummer as chair and secretary, Dan Cantor as treasurer, and Rajan Narang, Nora Ranney, and Asa Shaw as directors. It also lists Beth Schulman as SDP director, Yong Jung Cho as executive director of SDP’s BPRC project, Miles Rapoport as Democracy Project executive director as of April, and Raaheela Ahmed as Democracy Project national legislative/organizing director as of March.
State Democracy Project is led by Yong Jung Cho, Executive Director of Sdp's Bprc Project on every filing since 2023; 4 of 9 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Yong Jung Cho
Executive Director of Sdp's Bprc Project
On filings since 2023
35 hrs/week
$29K (2023) → $170K (2024)
Miles Rapoport
Dem Project Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$134K (2024)
Tamara Brummer
Chair & Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rajan Narang
Director
Executive Director & President → Executive Director & Director, 2023
Executive Director & Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
$165K (2021) → $0 (2024)
Beth Schulman
Sdp Director
Interim Director → Sdp Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
30 hrs/week
$32K (2022) → $85K (2024)
Raaheela Ahmed
Dem Project National Legal & Org Director
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$113K (2024)
Asa Shaw
Director
Board Member → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nora Ranney
Director
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Cantor
Treasurer
Board Treasurer & Secretary → Secretary & Treasurer, 2023
Secretary & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Brian Kettenring (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Tamara Brunner (2022–2023) — Chair
- Former: Alexis Anderson-Reed (2020–2022) — Chair -
- Former: Neidi Dominguez (2022) — Board Member -
- Former: Rodney Mackenzie Jr. (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Amad Rivera Executive (2020) — Director
- Former: Rajan Narang Executive Director (2020) — President
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 $170K, to Yong Jung Cho (Ed of SDP'S BPRC Project). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about State Democracy Project
How much does State Democracy Project give each year?
State Democracy Project gave $46.9M across 26 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $16.7M across 6 grants.
What is State Democracy Project's typical grant size?
State Democracy Project's median grant in 2024 was $131,492, and its average grant was $1,803,965, across 26 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does State Democracy Project give grants?
State Democracy Project gives mostly in New York: 71% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (21%). The most frequent recipient cities were Brooklyn, NY (4 grants), Milwaukee, WI (2 grants) and Columbus, OH (2 grants).
Does State Democracy Project give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 26 grants with a stated purpose on State Democracy Project's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "We Choose US Campaign W/ Pro-Democracy Center" (9 grants) and "Nonpartisan Voter Engagement" (7 grants).
Who are State Democracy Project's largest grantees?
State Democracy Project's largest 2024 grantees include Working Families Power ($29,888,301), Pro Democracy Campaign ($9,931,750) and Working Families Organization - GNDN ($1,519,019), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 88% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is State Democracy Project?
State Democracy Project reported $5.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $50.1M.
What does State Democracy Project fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to improve American democracy by encouraging increased citizen participation in elections and policy-making, and more responsive government institutions at the local, state, and federal levels. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from State Democracy Project?
Organizations whose mission and vision align with State Democracy Project’s purpose can submit the fiscal sponsorship inquiry form on its website. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is State Democracy Project's EIN?
State Democracy Project's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-2003442. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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 September 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in State Democracy Project's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). State Democracy Project funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/state-democracy-project-morg_187f0bf465834edf8ffffbebb921fa22
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_522003442_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{State Democracy Project funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/state-democracy-project-morg_187f0bf465834edf8ffffbebb921fa22},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from State Democracy Project'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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