Protect Democracy Project

Analysis

Protect Democracy Project is a registered charity in United States, based in Washington, DC. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in August 2017, 9 years ago. Its declared purposes cover civil rights, social action and advocacy, which this site groups under human rights and equality. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Protect Democracy Project reported income of $33.1m and spending of $22.1m, leaving 33% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $12.4m to $33.1m (+167%), an average of +28% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2020, when income rose by 121%. Over the whole period it spent 52% of the income it received.

Among 9,611 United States charities whose main cause is human rights and equality and that reported income, Protect Democracy Project sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile, and in the 96th percentile within DC. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Refugee & Immigrant Center for Education & Legal Services ($32.6m), Legal Aid of Northwest Texas ($33.4m) and Make the Road New York ($31.8m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 95% and program service revenue 0.2% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $905k (4.1% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $11.3m. It paid $60k in professional fundraising fees. At year end it held assets of $73.2m against liabilities of $1.7m, net assets of $71.5m. It reported 121 employees.