Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women

Public charity · Grantmaker Washington, DC EIN: 85-3490414

Ujima The National Center on Violence is a Washington, DC-based public charity that supports efforts to respond to and prevent domestic, sexual, and community violence in the Black community. Its work includes research, public awareness, community engagement, training, technical assistance, and grants to organizations.

Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women at a glance

In short: Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women gave $6.1M across 38 grants in 2025 (avg $160K), top state Connecticut. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

Annual giving (2025)
$6,063,427
+26.9% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
38
+0.0% vs 2024
Average grant
$159,564
+26.9% vs 2024
Median grant
$126,849
Total assets
$4,466,792
+31.4% vs 2024
Primary geography
Connecticut (19% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.

How to apply to Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women

Review Cycle
The listed deadline for the Culturally Responsive Victim Services grant program was January 23, 2025; this was a past cycle.
Deadline
The listed deadline for the Culturally Responsive Victim Services grant program was January 23, 2025; this was a past…
Contact

Mailing address: 633 Pennsylvania Avenue Nw, Washington, DC 20004
Phone: (202) 758-3874

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Scesa National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault: $1.0MScesa National Organization ofSisters of Color Ending…$1.0MPositive Results Center: $287KPositive Results Center$287KDelaware State University Foundation: $287KDelaware State UniversityFoundation$287KWellspring Global Fellowship: $265KWellspring Global Fellowship$265KNational Institute on Transformation and Equity: $260KNational Institute onTransformation and Equity$260KMotivating Inspiring Supporting & Serving: $260KMotivating InspiringSupporting & Serving$260KLauren H Collins Wellness: $244KLauren H Collins Wellness$244KEleven 24: $239KEleven 24$239KA Long Walk Home Inc: $177KA Long Walk Home Inc$177KBerkshire Resources for Integration of Diverse Groups and Education Inc: $177KBerkshire Resources forIntegration of Diverse Groups…$177K

The largest 2025 recipient was Scesa National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $3.2M.

Grant Size Distribution

109 grants across all recorded years

21<$50K40$50–100K38$100–250K9$250–500K$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 40 grants of 109 (37%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Ujima’s website describes the BCBP program as national in scope. In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut (19%), Michigan (16%), California (10%), Washington, DC (8%), and Massachusetts (7%).

Grant Distribution by State

20states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 38 itemized grants.

Cities

DetroitWashingtonWindsorSeattleBaton RougeBronxBrooklynChicagoClintonDes MoinesForestvilleGreenvilleHarrisburgHoustonLeeLos AngelesMendenhallReynoldsburgSicklervilleTacoma

How Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women gives

  • 89% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 7853% from 2022 to 2025. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$2M$4M$6M$8M0 grants2021 1 grant2022 32 grants2023 38 grants2024 38 grants2025

From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $76K (2022) to $6.1M (2025). In 2025 it made 38 grants totaling $6.1M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Scesa National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault Windsor, CTGeneral Support$1,039,542
Positive Results Center Lawndale, CAGeneral Support$286,975
Delaware State University Foundation Dover, DEGeneral Support$286,959
Wellspring Global Fellowship Stoughton, MAGeneral Support$265,000
National Institute on Transformation and Equity Detroit, MIGeneral Support$260,275
Motivating Inspiring Supporting & Serving Oakland, CAGeneral Support$259,685
Lauren H Collins Wellness Washington, DCGeneral Support$244,386
Eleven 24 Detroit, MIGeneral Support$239,229
A Long Walk Home Inc Chicago, ILGeneral Support$177,265
Berkshire Resources for Integration of Diverse Groups and Education Inc Lee, MAGeneral Support$176,714
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Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsNet Investment Income
2025$4,466,792$12,188,837$11,332,352$6,063,42738$885
2024$3,398,646$9,375,273$9,716,257$4,779,51038—
2023$2,942,290$7,246,433$5,991,269$2,212,47032$96
2022$540,812$2,209,159$2,108,112$76,2361$-4,522
2021$153,648$145,666$5,287———

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

Ujima’s website states that its mission is to inspire and support the Black community in responding to and preventing domestic and community violence and sexual assault. Its 2024 filing describes its mission as mobilizing the community to respond to and end domestic, sexual, and community violence in the Black community through research, public awareness and community engagement, and resource development.

Ujima’s programs include training and technical assistance, community education and outreach, research, and culturally specific subawards. Its website describes support for culturally responsive victim services and capacity-building for organizations serving survivors. For example, grantee Positive Results Center describes its work as providing culturally specific training for youth, families, and youth-serving organizations, with an emphasis on mental health, trauma-informed care, peer leadership, and art-based prevention education. A Long Walk Home says it uses art to empower young people to end violence against girls and women. Our House describes its work as eliminating domestic and sexual violence in rural communities through intervention, prevention, prosecution, victim protection, and survivor services.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, Ujima reported 38 grants totaling $6,063,427. Grant amounts ranged from $10,310 to $1,039,542, with a median grant of $126,849. The largest listed award was $1,039,542 to the National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault (SCESA), for general support. Other large awards included $286,975 to Positive Results Center and $286,959 to Delaware State University Foundation, both for general support; $265,000 to Wellspring Global Fellowship; and $260,275 to the National Institute on Transformation and Equity. The listed purposes for the latter two awards were also general support.

Ujima’s website describes the Building the Capacity of Black Programs (BCBP) as a national program supporting culturally specific services for Black domestic-violence survivors and increasing organizations’ capacity to deliver those services. Its National Center for Culturally Responsive Victim Services page described a grant program for culturally specific organizations, with applications accepted through January 23, 2025. That application cycle has passed.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Jamien Jordan as chair, Melinda Woolbright as treasurer, and John Goodlow as secretary. Directors listed are Adrienne Biddings, Faith Gibson Hubbard, and Antonia Vann. The filing also lists Karma Cottman as CEO/executive director; Jennifer Hooker as chief finance and operations; Gretta Gardner as chief legal and programs officer; and Millicent Shaw as legal director.

Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women is led by Karma Cottman, CEO & Executive Director since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 8 of 14 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Karma Cottman

    CEO & Executive Director

    Executive Director → CEO & Executive Director, 2022

    On filings since 2021

    50 hrs/week

    $195K (2022) → $237K (2025)

  • Jamien Jordan

    Chair

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • April Bonner

    Communication Director

    Compliance Grant Manager → Communication Director, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    40 hrs/week

    $104K (2024) → $106K (2025)

  • Joy Fennel

    Creative Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $118K (2025)

  • Millicent Shaw

    Legal Director

    New on the 2025 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $128K (2025)

  • Adrienne Biddings

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Antonia Vann

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Faith Gibson Hubbard

    Director

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Gretta Gardner

    Chief Legal & Programs Officer

    Chief Legal Officer → Chief Legal & Programs Officer, 2024

    On filings since 2022

    50 hrs/week

    $152K (2022) → $176K (2025)

  • Jennifer Hooker

    Chief Finance & Operations

    Chief Finance & Operations Officer → Chief Finance & Operations, 2023

    On filings since 2022

    50 hrs/week

    $152K (2022) → $183K (2025)

  • Chrishania Robinson

    Training & Technical Assistant

    Training & Technical Assistant Director → Training & Technical Assistant, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    40 hrs/week

    $116K (2024) → $112K (2025)

  • Sarah Henry

    Senior Attorney

    On filings since 2024

    40 hrs/week

    $118K (2024) → $120K (2025)

  • John Goodlow

    Secretary

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Melinda Woolbright

    Treasurer

    New on the 2025 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (2)
  • Former: Melinda Coleau (2021–2024) — Treasurer
  • Former: Millicent Shaw-Phipps (2024) — Legal Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

Karma Cottman — CEO/Executive Director: $237KKarma CottmanCEO/Executive Director$237KJennifer Hooker — Chief Finance & Operations: $183KJennifer HookerChief Finance & Operations$183KGretta Gardner — Chief Legal & Programs Officer: $176KGretta GardnerChief Legal & Programs Officer$176KMillicent Shaw — Legal Director: $128KMillicent ShawLegal Director$128KSarah Henry — Senior Attorney: $120KSarah HenrySenior Attorney$120KJoy Fennel — Creative Director: $118KJoy FennelCreative Director$118KChrishania Robinson — Training & Technical Assistant: $112KChrishania RobinsonTraining & Technical Assistant$112KApril Bonner — Communication Director: $106KApril BonnerCommunication Director$106K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $237K, to Karma Cottman (CEO/Executive Director). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Frequently asked questions about Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women

How much does Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women give each year?

Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women gave $6.1M across 38 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $4.8M across 38 grants.

What is Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women's typical grant size?

Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women's median grant in 2025 was $126,849, and its average grant was $159,564, across 38 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Where does Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women give grants?

Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women's top state is Connecticut, with 19% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Michigan (16%) and California (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (5 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants), Windsor, CT (2 grants) and Seattle, WA (2 grants).

Does Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (38 of 38) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Who are Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women's largest grantees?

Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women's largest 2025 grantees include Scesa National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault ($1,039,542), Positive Results Center ($286,975) and Delaware State University Foundation ($286,959), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women?

Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women reported $4.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.2M.

What does Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women fund?

Ujima’s website states that its mission is to inspire and support the Black community in responding to and preventing domestic and community violence and sexual assault. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women?

Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women's EIN?

Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-3490414. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.

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

Data update history

(5)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 13, 2024)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 13, 2025)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 8, 2024)
  4. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 24, 2026)
  5. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024

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Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ujima-the-national-center-on-violence-against-women-morg_7f7b44133c0a4892bd80090e9279ad4f

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_853490414_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/ujima-the-national-center-on-violence-against-women-morg_7f7b44133c0a4892bd80090e9279ad4f},
  note         = {Accessed 2026-10-24. 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 Ujima the National Center on Violence Against Women'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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