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Democracy Works Inc

EIN 27-2460359 · Brooklyn, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO LEVERAGE WEB-TECHNOLOGIES TO IMPROVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND VOTER EDUCATION.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$9.5 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
9.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 44%
Employees
91
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$294,489, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 133% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 73% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 42 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $7.7 million spent. DEMOCRACY WORKS BUILDS TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY TO DRIVE VOTER ACCESS AND PARTICIPATION. TURBOVOTE IS DW'S FLAGSHIP VOTER ENGAGEMENT TOOL, PROVIDING USERS WITH PERSONALIZED ELECTION REMINDERS, REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE, BALLOT INFORMATION AND MORE USEFUL GUIDANCE TO ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN EVERY ELECTION. THE VOTING INFORMATION PROJECT ("VIP") IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN DEMOCRACY WORKS AND THE STATES TO UPLIFT OFFICIAL ELECTION INFORMATION. VIP DATA IS PUBLISHED VIA GOOGLE'S CIVIC INFORMATION API AND IS A QUICK, EASY WAY FOR VOTERS TO FIND THEIR POLLING LOCATION AND MORE. DEMOCRACY WORKS ALSO PROVIDES ELECTIONS DATA AND VOTING GUIDANCE THROUGH OUR ELECTIONS API, SURFACING UNPARALLELED COVERAGE OF UPCOMING LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL ELECTIONS TO TECH AND SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, AS WELL AS DEVELOPERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2011.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.