Way to Rise is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Washington, DC (1825 K St NW, Suite 315). Founded in 2002, the organization functions as a grantmaking entity that works with individual donors and philanthropic partners to fund nonpartisan civic engagement efforts.
Key facts about Way to Rise
- EIN
- 88-3300694
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $10,563,667
- Grants made (2024)
- 86
- Average grant
- $122,833
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $8,076,329
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (19% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Way to Rise funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Way to Rise's 86 itemized 2024 grants were District of Columbia (19%), California (10%) and New York (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (10 grants), Phoenix, AZ (6 grants), Austin, TX (5 grants) and Raleigh, NC (5 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
How Way to Rise gives
- 42% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Way to Rise
- How to evaluate Way to Rise as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.1M
-31.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.6M
-4.4% YoY
Grant Count
86
-3.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$123K
-1.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Way to Rise centers communities most impacted by injustice and funds sustained nonpartisan civic engagement led by both state-based organizations and national groups that support state-based partners.
The organization's primary program areas include:
- Co-governance and democratic participation
- Voter protection and education
- Narrative change related to multiracial democracy
- Powerbuilding through community-centered campaigns
Way to Rise develops and executes data-informed funding strategies with funders to advance breakthroughs in building a vibrant and sustainable democracy. The organization emphasizes deep collaboration with frontline organizations and in-house expertise in developing narratives that envision what a multiracial democracy looks like.
Grantmaking
Way to Rise has moved nearly $5 million to state-based organizations and national partners focused on co-governance, voter protection and education, and narrative change since its inception.
Ready to take the next step with Way to Rise?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Way to Rise funds organizations primarily in:
- District of Columbia
- North Carolina
- Texas
- South and Southwest regions of the United States
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 86 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $8,076,329
- Total revenues: $13,810,680
- Total expenses: $18,876,533
- Total giving: $10,703,667
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,076,329 | $11,809,947 | $8,992,452 |
| Revenue | $13,810,680 | $23,023,139 | $3,343,599 |
| Expenses | $18,876,533 | $14,624,291 | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
175 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Way to Rise
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc ($550,000), Florida Rising Together ($550,000), Climate Emergency Fund ($400,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMALGAMATED CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INC Washington, DC | GENERAL OPERATING | $550,000 |
| FLORIDA RISING TOGETHER Miami, FL | GENERAL OPERATING | $550,000 |
| CLIMATE EMERGENCY FUND Beverly Hills, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $400,000 |
| NEW VENTURE FUND Washington, DC | GENERAL OPERATING | $350,000 |
| GEORGIA COALITION FOR THE PEOPLES AGENDA Atlanta, GA | GENERAL OPERATING | $315,000 |
| HOPEWELL FUND Washington, DC | GENERAL OPERATING | $300,000 |
| NEO PHILANTHROPY New York, NY | GENERAL OPERATING | $275,000 |
| CENTER FOR EMPOWERED POLITICS EDUCATION FUND San Francisco, CA | GENERAL OPERATING | $250,000 |
| IMAGINE NC FIRST Raleigh, NC | GENERAL OPERATING | $250,000 |
| SUSTAINABLE MARKETS FOUNDATION New York, NY | GENERAL OPERATING | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The organization's leadership includes founders and team members with track records in movement spaces, though specific names are not detailed in available sources.
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mimi Marziani | Chair | 1 | — |
| Anna Fink | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Anu Khosla | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Jason Berkenfeld | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Dennis Quirin | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Joe Kennedy | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Eboni Speight | Executive Director/Treasurer | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Way to Rise fund?
Way to Rise centers communities most impacted by injustice and funds sustained nonpartisan civic engagement led by both state-based organizations and national groups that support state-based partners. The organization's primary program areas include: • **Co-governance and democratic participation** • **Voter protection and education** • **Narrative change** related to multiracial democracy • **Powerbuilding** through community-centered campaigns Way to Rise develops and executes data-informed f…
How do I apply for a grant from Way to Rise?
Way to Rise has moved nearly $5 million to state-based organizations and national partners focused on co-governance, voter protection and education, and narrative change since its inception. **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $8,000–$600,000 • Focus on sustained funding for state-based organizations and national groups supporting state-based partners **Strategic Focus:** The organization's work is strategically focused on the South and Southwest regions.
Where does Way to Rise make grants?
Way to Rise funds organizations primarily in: • District of Columbia • North Carolina • Texas • South and Southwest regions of the United States
What size grants does Way to Rise award?
In 2024, Way to Rise awarded 86 grants totaling $10.6M — an average of about $123K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Way to Rise's EIN?
Way to Rise's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-3300694. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Way to Rise's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.