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States United Democracy Center Inc

Public charity · Grantmaker Washington, DC EIN: 86-1704152 Website

States United Democracy Center is a nonpartisan organization advancing free, fair, and secure elections. We connect state and local officials, law enforcement leaders, and pro-democracy partners across America with the tools and expertise they need to safeguard democracy.

Key facts about States United Democracy Center Inc

In short: States United Democracy Center Inc gave $1.4M across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $286K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.

EIN
86-1704152
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$1,432,100
Grants made (2024)
5
Average grant
$286,420
Median grant
$150,000
Total assets
$25,172,026
Primary geography
District of Columbia (80% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$25.2M

+81.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$1.4M

+14.5% YoY

Grant Count

5

+66.7% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$286K

-31.3% YoY

About States United Democracy Center Inc

Based on IRS filings

States United Democracy Center Inc is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $25.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $1.4M. Net investment income was $259K.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

4states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.

Cities

WashingtonGreat FallsToledoCharlottesvilleLos AngelesOaklandRedwood City

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M0 grants2021 3 grants2022 3 grants2023 5 grants2024

From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $558K (2022) to $1.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $1.4M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 5 recipients in 2024

Institute for Strategic Dialogue - US: $1.0MInstitute for StrategicDialogue - US$1.0MPublic Rights Project: $250KPublic Rights Project$250KLeadership Center for Attorney General Studies: $150KLeadership Center for AttorneyGeneral Studies$150KUniversity of Southern California: $20KUniversity of SouthernCalifornia$20KUniversity of Virginia: $10KUniversity of Virginia$10K

The largest 2024 recipient was Institute for Strategic Dialogue - US ($1.0M). Together the top 5 received $1.4M.

Grant Size Distribution

11 grants across all recorded years

5<$50K$50–100K1$100–250K1$250–500K3$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 11 (45%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Institute for Strategic Dialogue - US Washington, DCMonitor Threat Narratives$1,002,100
Public Rights Project Oakland, CASupport the Election Protection Hub$250,000
Leadership Center for Attorney General Studies Washington, DCFund a Legal Fellow and Research$150,000
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAConference Sponsorship$20,000
University of Virginia Charlottesville, VASummit Sponsorship$10,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$10M$20M$30M$40M2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$25,172,026$13,886,303$8,757,900
Revenue$33,298,013$17,576,136$14,524,982
Expenses$21,896,349$11,138,378$9,282,181
Net Investment Income$258,765$128,946—

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
  4. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

States United Democracy Center Inc is led by Joanna Lydgate, Director & President since 2023 (on filings since 2021); 7 of 12 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Joanna Lydgate

    Director & President

    President → Director & President, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    25 hrs/week

    $417K (2024)

  • Norm Eisen

    Director & Co-Chair

    Co-Chair → Director & Co-Chair, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    15 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Christine Sun

    Senior Vice President & Legal

    Legal Director → Senior Vice President & Legal, 2024

    On filings since 2021

    30 hrs/week

    $277K (2024)

  • Elizabeth Ulmer

    Senior Vice President & Communications

    Communications Director → Senior Vice President & Communications, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    30 hrs/week

    $250K (2024)

  • Jenn Fogel-Bublick

    Chief Operating Officer

    Secretary & Treasurer → Chief Operating Officer, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    25 hrs/week

    $321K (2024)

  • Ranjana Natarajan

    Chief Program Officer

    Senior Counsel → Chief Program Officer, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    30 hrs/week

    $304K (2024)

  • Thania Sanchez

    Senior Vice President Research & Analytics

    Research Director → Senior Vice President Research & Analytics, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    30 hrs/week

    $254K (2024)

  • Gillian Feiner

    Senior Counsel

    On filings since 2023

    30 hrs/week

    $232K (2024)

  • Tania Maestes

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Olivia Troye

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rachel Kleinfeld

    Board Member

    Director → Board Member, 2023

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Susan Mandel

    Board Member

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (5)
  • Former: Christine Todd Whitman (2021–2023) — Director & Co-Chair
  • Former: Kenneth Mack (2021–2023) — Board Member
  • Former: Dax Goldstein (2023) — Senior Counsel
  • Former: Katherine Reisner (2021–2022) — Senior Counsel
  • Former: Miles Taylor (2022) — Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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

Joanna Lydgate — Director & President: $417KJoanna LydgateDirector & President$417KJenn Fogel-Bublick — Chief Operating Officer: $321KJenn Fogel-BublickChief Operating Officer$321KRanjana Natarajan — Chief Program Officer: $304KRanjana NatarajanChief Program Officer$304KChristine Sun — SVP, Legal: $277KChristine SunSVP, Legal$277KThania Sanchez — SVP Research & Analytics: $254KThania SanchezSVP Research & Analytics$254KElizabeth Ulmer — SVP, Communications: $250KElizabeth UlmerSVP, Communications$250KGillian Feiner — Senior Counsel: $232KGillian FeinerSenior Counsel$232K

The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $417K, to Joanna Lydgate (Director & President). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about States United Democracy Center Inc

How much does States United Democracy Center Inc give each year?

States United Democracy Center Inc gave $1.4M across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.3M across 3 grants.

What is States United Democracy Center Inc's typical grant size?

States United Democracy Center Inc's median grant in 2024 was $150,000, and its average grant was $286,420, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.

Where does States United Democracy Center Inc give grants?

States United Democracy Center Inc gives mostly in District of Columbia: 80% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (2 grants).

Does States United Democracy Center Inc give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on States United Democracy Center Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.

Who are States United Democracy Center Inc's largest grantees?

States United Democracy Center Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Institute for Strategic Dialogue - US ($1,002,100), Public Rights Project ($250,000) and Leadership Center for Attorney General Studies ($150,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 98% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is States United Democracy Center Inc?

States United Democracy Center Inc reported $25.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $33.3M.

What is States United Democracy Center Inc?

States United Democracy Center Inc is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Washington, DC. It holds $25.2M in total assets as of 2024.

What is States United Democracy Center Inc's EIN?

States United Democracy Center Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 86-1704152. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

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