Defending Democracy Together Institute
Also known as Republic Affairs Innovate for Democracy Lyceum Labs
Defending Democracy Together Institute reported $25.3 million in revenue and $17.7 million in expenses for calendar year 2024. Of every $100 it spent, $98.71 went to program services, $1.13 to management and general costs and $0.16 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 97.5% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $200,000 (SR. PROGRAM DIRECTOR). 1 person received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 743% between 2019 and 2024. Source: Form 990, 2024.
Where $100 of spending went
Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $18MFor context, the median across 5,499 covered education charities: $85.56 programs, $13.59 management, $0.85 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $25MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | 2024 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 98.7% | 84.4% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 1.1% | 13.4% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 0.2% | 0.8% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.00 | $0.04 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 97.5% | 19.1% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 1.1% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 69.9% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $200,000 | $331,578 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.13% | 1.28% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 1 | 8 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 13.2 | 13.3 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 3 of 3 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
2024 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseIn 2024, Defending Democracy Together Institute's general programming continued its efforts to educate the public about the essential function and value of american democracy. The program supported convenings and resources that fostered civic trust and highlighted the importance of preserving democratic institutions and norms. Board members and affiliated experts also participated in public forums and news media to promote these ideals and broaden the reach of the institute's educational mission
The democracy innovation fund (dif) incubates and accelerates pro-democracy infrastructure on the center-right. Dif grants to nascent organizations to put these organizations on a path to independent growth and sustainability. During 2024, dif saw significant progress by its grantees and made grants to new organizations
In 2024, pillars of the community continued as a nonpartisan civic initiative dedicated to strengthening public confidence in election administration. The program convened community leaders and election officials through both virtual and in-person events, highlighting the essential role of trusted local institutions in supporting democratic processes. These efforts emphasized transparency, public education, and constructive dialogue around election systems
Highest reported compensation
2024 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SR. PROGRAM DIRECTOR Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $200,000 | $0 | $0 | $200,000 |
| EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer, 5.00 hrs/week | $12,000 | $0 | $0 | $12,000 |
| DIRECTOR Director/trustee, 0.50 hrs/week | $500 | $0 | $0 | $500 |
| PRESIDENT Director/trustee, officer, 5.00 hrs/week | $500 | $0 | $0 | $500 |
| SECRETARY/TREASURER Director/trustee, officer, 0.50 hrs/week | $500 | $0 | $0 | $500 |
1 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Defending Democracy Together Institute (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $13,500 (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
2024 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b3 · 3 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2Yes
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4Yes
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 52
Largest outside contractors
2024 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| LONGWELL PARTNERS INC Communications, research, accounting | $1,712,754 |
| LOCUST STREET SOLUTIONS LLC Grassroots campaign communications | $759,045 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 2 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
7 private foundations reported grants to Defending Democracy Together Institute totaling $3.5M on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Defending Democracy Together Institute's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Defending Democracy Together Institute, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Defending Democracy Together Institute spent in 2024, $98.71 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Instruction PartnersNashville, TN · revenue $25M · programs 84.6% · FY2025
- Alder Graduate School of EducationRedwood City, CA · revenue $25M · programs 89.4% · FY2025
- The Willows Community SchoolCulver City, CA · revenue $25M · programs 78.4% · FY2025
- Philander Smith CollegeLittle Rock, AR · revenue $25M · programs 75.5% · FY2023
- Kceoc Community Action PartnershipBarbourville, KY · revenue $25M · programs 19.4% · FY2025
All education charities · Largest charities in District of Columbia
Questions people ask
How much of Defending Democracy Together Institute's spending goes to programs?
In calendar year 2024, Defending Democracy Together Institute reported that 98.7% of its $17.7 million in expenses went to program services, 1.1% to management and general and 0.2% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Defending Democracy Together Institute pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Defending Democracy Together Institute reported for one person in calendar year 2024 was $200,000, for the role of SR. PROGRAM DIRECTOR (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Defending Democracy Together Institute get its money?
Of $25.3 million in revenue in calendar year 2024, 97.5% came from contributions and grants and 0.0% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Defending Democracy Together Institute a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 83-1567380 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- 2024: Form 990 for calendar year 2024, object 202503119349300110 · read the filing · XML
- 2023: Form 990 for calendar year 2023, object 202443189349300249 · read the filing
- 2022: Form 990 for calendar year 2022, object 202323189349304802 · read the filing
- 2021: Form 990 for calendar year 2021, object 202233199349328403 · read the filing
- 2020: Form 990 for calendar year 2020, object 202143179349302854 · read the filing
- 2019: Form 990 for calendar year 2019, object 202043179349300604 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 83-1567380: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.