Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

State Democracy Project

EIN 52-2003442 · Brooklyn, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE STATE DEMOCRACY PROJECT DEDICATES ITSELF TO SERVING THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND POLICY MAKERS REGARDING THE NEED TO ITERATIVELY IMPROVE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY BY ENCOURAGING INCREASED CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS AND POLICY-MAKING, AS WELL AS MORE RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS AT THE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS.

Income
$50.1 million
Spending
$48.6 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$179,730, ed of sdp's bprc project

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 154% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $48.2 million spent. SPONSORED PROJECTSTHE STATE DEMOCRACY PROJECT SUPPORTS A DIVERSE ARRAY OF GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS TO PURSUE STRUCTURAL CHANGES TO EXPAND PARTICIPATION, MAKE GOVERNMENT MORE RESPONSIVE, AND BUILD A MORE DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. STATE DEMOCRACY PROJECT'S PROGRAM SERVICES CONCENTRATE ON PROVIDING THESE PARTNERS WITH FISCAL SPONSORSHIP ARRANGEMENTS THAT ALLOW THEM TO FOCUS ON PROGRAMMATIC GOALS.BY THE END OF 2024, STATE DEMOCRACY PROJECT HAS ENTERED INTO EIGHTEEN SEPARATE FISCAL SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENTS TO SUPPORT PROJECTS WHICH WILL FURTHER THE CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES OF STATE DEMOCRACY PROJECT. GRANT FUNDS AWARDED TO THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS AND OBLIGATIONS IMPOSED BY THE AGREEMENTS AND MAY ONLY BE USED FOR THE REASONABLE AND NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED IN CONDUCTING THE PROJECTS IDENTIFIED. STATE DEMOCRACY PROJECT MAY CHARGE UP TO 7.5% OF ALL GIFTS RECEIVED IN SUPPORT OF THE PROJECTS TO DEFRAY ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT COSTS RELATED TO MONITORING THESE AGREEMENTS. STATE DEMOCRACY PROJECT RETAINS THE UNILATERAL VARIANCE POWER PURSUANT TO THE SIGNED AGREEMENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1997.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.