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State Democracy Defenders Fund

EIN 93-2740517 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STATE DEMOCRACY DEFENDERS FUND FILLS THREE KEY GAPS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST ELECTION SABOTAGE AND AUTOCRACY: OUR ALL-STAR TEAM GOES ON OFFENSE AGAINST DEMOCRACY DENIERS WHO BREAK THE LAW, INCLUDING THROUGH OUR INNOVATIVE PROGRAM OF OUTSIDE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS. WE WORK WITH NATIONAL, STATE AND LOCAL ALLIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO DEFEND IN REAL-TIME THE FOUNDATION OF OUR DEMOCRACY - FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS. WE HELP SHAPE THE LONG-TERM STRATEGY TO DEFEAT AUTOCRACY.

Income
$14.5 million
Spending
$12.1 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$251,992, president (effective 12/19/24)

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

Financial health

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 65% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 June 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 (3)
  1. $3.3 million spent. LEGAL: UPHOLDING THE RULE OF LAW, WHICH INCLUDES LITIGATION AND AMICUS BRIEFS TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND EXISTING REGULATIONS
  2. $3.3 million spent. RAPID RESPONSE COORDINATION HUB: AN INDEPENDENT, NONPARTISAN HUB TO COMBAT COMPLEX AND TARGETED ATTACKS AGAINST ACTORS IN THE PRO-DEMOCRACY AND CIVIL RIGHTS ECOSYSTEM
  3. $754,791 spent. ELECTION: SAFEGUARDING FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS, WHICH INCLUDES LITIGATION AND POLICY WORK TO ENSURE VOTER ACCESS AND THE INDEPENDENCE OF ELECTION PROCESSES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 November 6, 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 June 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 May 2024.

    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 November 4, 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.