The Voter Participation Center
To increase civic engagement among under-represented communities including unmarried women, people of color, and young people.
The Voter Participation Center at a glance
In short: The Voter Participation Center gave $12.5M across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $4.2M), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $12,500,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- Average grant
- $4,166,667
- Median grant
- $5,000,000
- Total assets
- $19,534,865
- -31.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Voter Participation Center funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Counteract Foundation ($5.0M). Together the top 3 received $12.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
28 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 11 grants of 28 (39%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Voter Participation Center gives
- Giving grew 603% 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 $1.8M (2021) to $12.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $12.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Counteract Foundation Washington, DC | Grant to Support Work Countering Misniformation | $5,000,000 |
| Democracy Matters Foundation Washington, DC | Grant to support work encouraging underrepresented communities in civic engagement | $5,000,000 |
| Center for Voter Information Washington, DC | Grant to Support Voter Turnout Program | $2,500,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $19,534,865 | $57,968,925 | $66,459,868 | $12,500,000 | 3 | $1,654,182 |
| 2023 | $28,363,585 | $22,716,299 | $13,100,870 | — | — | $97,909 |
| 2022 | $18,954,464 | $37,381,213 | $35,070,350 | — | — | $28,856 |
| 2021 | $12,945,597 | $10,906,666 | $14,978,182 | $1,778,480 | 1 | $219,526 |
| 2020 | $15,821,456 | $88,302,205 | $100,315,874 | $7,093,000 | 24 | $2,516,446 |
About The Voter Participation Center
Based on IRS filings
The Voter Participation Center is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $19.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $12.5M. Net investment income was $1.7M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Voter Participation Center is led by Thomas Lopach, President & CEO on every filing since 2022; 7 of 15 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Thomas Lopach
President & CEO
On filings since 2022
29 hrs/week
$222K (2022) → $257K (2024)
Denise Juneau See Schedule O.
Chair
Board Chair → Board Chair & Consultant, 2023
Board Chair & Consultant → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$20K (2021) → $30K (2024)
Caryn Pavlak
Vice President of Development
Senior Director of Development → Vice President of Development, 2022
On filings since 2020
33.5 hrs/week
$127K (2020) → $180K (2024)
Lionel Dripps
Executive Vice President
Vice President → Executive Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
24.5 hrs/week
$95K (2020) → $156K (2024)
Elbert Hairston
Vice President of Finance
CFO → Vice President of Finance, 2024
On filings since 2021
36.9 hrs/week
$59K (2021) → $198K (2024)
Katharine Werner
Vice President of Digital Programming
Vice President of Digital Programming → Vice President of Digital Programs, 2023
Vice President of Digital Programs → Vice President of Digital Programming, 2024
On filings since 2021
37.4 hrs/week
$113K (2021) → $201K (2024)
Nancy Leeds
Vice President of Mail Programming
On filings since 2022
30.1 hrs/week
$120K (2022) → $162K (2024)
Gibby Waitzkin
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jill Alper
Secretary & Treasurer
Member to Secretary & Treasurer → Board Secretary & Treasurer, 2021
Board Secretary & Treasurer → Secretary & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Diana Walsh
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gail Kitch
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katina Banks
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Damara Catlett
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Stutzman
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susie Hwang
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Aaron Frank (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Dan Sena (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: John Malloy (2022–2023) — Vice President of Data Systems & Analytics
- Former: Addisu Demissie (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Brynne Craig (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Page Gardner (2020–2021) — Former Officer
- Former: Phoebe Wong (2020–2021) — Director of Data & Analytics
- Former: Tom Lopach (2020–2021) — President & CEO
- Former: Benjamin Deufel (2021) — Senior Director of Inn., Learning & Impact
- Former: Karuna Koppula (2021) — Senior Director of Program Administrator
- Former: Marissa McBride See Schedule O. (2021) — Board Chair
- Former: Jacques Page (2020) — Senior Director of Finance & Administrator
- Former: Jessica Barba-Brown (2020) — Chief Executive Officer
- Former: Marissa McBride (2020) — Treasurer to Chair
- Former: William McNary (2020) — Board Member
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 $257K, to Thomas Lopach (President & CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Voter Participation Center
How much does The Voter Participation Center give each year?
The Voter Participation Center gave $12.5M across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990.
What is The Voter Participation Center's typical grant size?
The Voter Participation Center's median grant in 2024 was $5,000,000, and its average grant was $4,166,667, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Voter Participation Center give grants?
The Voter Participation Center gives mostly in District of Columbia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (3 grants).
Does The Voter Participation Center give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on The Voter Participation Center's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is The Voter Participation Center?
The Voter Participation Center reported $19.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $58.0M.
What is The Voter Participation Center?
The Voter Participation Center is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Washington, DC. It holds $19.5M in total assets as of 2024.
What is The Voter Participation Center's EIN?
The Voter Participation Center's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 55-0889748. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Voter Participation Center funds
Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Voter Participation Center's focus areas in our free grants database
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