Third Way Institute
Third Way Institute supports charitable and educational activities that advance centrist solutions to major economic, national security, energy and social policy issues.
Third Way Institute at a glance
In short: Third Way Institute gave $21.9M across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $21.9M), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $21,902,000
- +10.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $21,902,000
- +10.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $21,902,000
- Total assets
- $28,311,002
- -11.2% 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 Third Way Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Third Way ($21.9M).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was $5M or more: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Third Way Institute gives
- Giving grew 70% 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $11.3M (2019) to $21.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $21.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Third Way Washington, DC | Support charitable and educational activities related to economic, national security, energy and social policy issues and provide insight into the beliefs and policy preferences of self-identified moderates. | $21,902,000 |
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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 | $28,311,002 | $19,278,889 | $22,331,511 | $21,902,000 | 1 | $1,847,122 |
| 2023 | $31,865,844 | $18,435,203 | $20,439,102 | $19,809,000 | 1 | $745,671 |
| 2022 | $31,095,329 | $16,673,694 | $18,624,669 | $18,088,982 | 1 | $249,840 |
| 2021 | $31,398,339 | $13,168,631 | $13,609,991 | $12,896,432 | 1 | $1,224,698 |
| 2020 | $24,555,720 | $13,267,901 | $12,133,756 | $11,600,000 | 1 | $188,924 |
| 2019 | $23,801,324 | $12,100,620 | $11,599,533 | $11,329,192 | 1 | $550,059 |
About Third Way Institute
Based on IRS filings
Third Way Institute is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $28.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $21.9M. Net investment income was $1.8M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Third Way Institute is led by Jonathan Cowan, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jonathan Cowan
President
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
$34K (2019) → $0 (2024)
David Heller
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacquie Lawing Ebert
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rogan Kersh
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thurgood Marshall Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew Bennett
Secretary
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$15K (2019) → $0 (2024)
Steve J. Dieterle Cfo
Board Treasurer
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Brenda Bethea (2019–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Chad Fitzgerald (2020–2022) — Senior Advisor to the President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2021 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2021 filing was $148K, to Chad Fitzgerald (Sr. Advisor to the President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Third Way Institute
How much does Third Way Institute give each year?
Third Way Institute gave $21.9M across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $19.8M across 1 grant.
How large is Third Way Institute?
Third Way Institute reported $28.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $19.3M.
What is Third Way Institute?
Third Way Institute is a public charity focused on Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy, based in Washington, DC. It holds $28.3M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Third Way Institute operate?
Third Way Institute has awarded grants in District of Columbia.
What is Third Way Institute's EIN?
Third Way Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0535276. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 1, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Third Way Institute funds
Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Third Way Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
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