The Institute for Responsive Government principally funds efforts to strengthen election administration, civic participation infrastructure, and nonpartisan public information. Its largest awards go to county and city election offices and to intermediary organizations that provide technical assistance, design, and operational support for large jurisdictions; it also supports civic education and public-rights legal work. The foundation prioritizes practical, operational investments that improve how elections are run and how voters are served at the local level.
The Institute for Responsive Government Inc’s largest recent award went to Clark County Election Department in Las Vegas for $1.35 million in general support, which captures the funder’s practical orientation toward election operations. Its recent grants favor county and city election offices, along with intermediary groups that help jurisdictions share administrative tools, design support, and voter-facing infrastructure. The foundation also backs nonpartisan civic information and legal advocacy tied to voting access and election administration. In 2025, the Institute for Responsive Government Inc made large general-support grants to Cities Forward Inc, Partnership for Large Election Jurisdict, Informing Democracy Education Fund, and Strong Democracy Foundation. Those awards sit alongside a broader set of grants to local election departments and municipal governments, including Bernalillo County, the City of Detroit, and Washoe County. The pattern suggests a funder focused on operational capacity rather than project-specific pilots. Its portfolio points to an interest in how elections are run at the local level: staffing, administration, civic technology, public information, and legal support. The grants are overwhelmingly directed to U.S. recipients and are structured as general support.
A central theme in the Institute for Responsive Government Inc’s grantmaking is election administration capacity. It gave $350,000 to Bernalillo County for general support, $350,000 to the City of Detroit for general support, and $100,000 to Mesa County Elections for general support. These awards indicate a preference for helping local offices maintain core functions. The foundation also funds intermediaries that work across jurisdictions. Cities Forward Inc received $1.3 million in general support, and Partnership for Large Election Jurisdict received $856,000 in general support. Those grants suggest attention to coordination, shared practice, and support for large election systems. A third strand is civic information and public-rights work. Informing Democracy Education Fund received $600,000, while Public Rights Project received $250,000, both in general support. The presence of these organizations shows that the funder supports voter-facing information and legal infrastructure alongside administrative capacity.
$10.2M
$6.4M
$18M
$14.3M
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Concentrated but pragmatic — a small number of very large grants to both election offices and national intermediaries combined with numerous mid-size awards to counties and cities; funding emphasizes operational/implementation support rather than purely research or advocacy.
Notable grantees: Clark County Election Department, Cities Forward Inc, Partnership for Large Election Jurisdictions, Informing Democracy Education Fund, US Digital Response
Grantmaking is concentrated in larger awards, with a recent top grant of $1.35 million and several other six-figure grants. The recent list shows repeated general-support funding rather than tightly restricted project awards. Recipients appear across many local governments and intermediary organizations, all within the U.S. The foundation is a public charity, not a funder of individuals, and it does not make program-related investments.
Giving is U.S.-only in the recent grant list, with 244 grants and 100.0% to U.S. recipients. The largest clusters are in Nevada, Michigan, New Mexico, and the Washington, DC area. Named recipient locations include Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Detroit, Reno, Oakland, and Washington, DC. The pattern is national rather than confined to Illinois, even though the headquarters is in Chicago.
It funds county and city election offices, intermediary organizations that support election administration, civic technology groups, nonpartisan civic information organizations, and legal/public-rights groups. Recent recipients include local election departments, municipal governments, and organizations working on election design, voter education, and voting-access advocacy.
Recent grants are mostly in the six-figure range, with examples including $1.35 million, $1.3 million, $856,000, $600,000, and several $350,000 awards. The recent list also includes smaller grants such as $60,000 and $50,000, showing a wide spread around larger operating support.
Yes. The recent grants listed are overwhelmingly labeled general support, including awards to local election offices, civic-information groups, and intermediary organizations. That pattern indicates flexible funding rather than narrowly restricted project grants.
The recent grant list shows U.S. recipients only: 244 grants, or 100.0%, went to organizations in the United States. Named recipients are located in places such as Las Vegas, Detroit, Washington, DC, Oakland, and Albuquerque.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLARK COUNTY ELECTION DEPARTMENT | LAS VEGAS, NV | $1,350,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITIES FORWARD INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PARTNERSHIP FOR LARGE ELECTION JURISDICT | WASHINGTON, DC | $856,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INFORMING DEMOCRACY EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $600,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STRONG DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WASHOE COUNTY | RENO, NV | $350,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF DETROIT | DETROIT, MI | $350,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BERNALILLO COUNTY | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $350,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| US DIGITAL RESPONSE | OAKLAND, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PUBLIC RIGHTS PROJECT | OAKLAND, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR CIVIC DESIGN | CAMBRIDGE, MD | $238,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOULDER COUNTY | BOULDER, CO | $110,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COUNT MI VOTE EDUCATION FUND | LANSING, MI | $103,750 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DOCUMENTARY EDUCATIONS RESOURCES INC | WATERTOWN, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COUNTY OF SANDOVAL | BERNALILLO, NM | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MESA COUNTY ELECTIONS | GRAND JUNCTION, CO | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DONA ANA COUNTY CLERK | LAS CRUCES, NM | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SANTA FE COUNTY | SANTA FE, NM | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF WESTLAND | WESTLAND, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE CITY OF DEARBORN | DEARBORN, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF FLINT | FLINT, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CLINTON | CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF TROY MICHIGAN | TROY, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF SOUTHFIELD | SOUTHFIELD, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF LIVONIA | LIVONIA, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TOWNSHIP OF MACOMB | MACOMB, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF FARMINGTON HILLS | CITY OF FARMINGTON HIL, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CANTON | CANTON, MI | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORK FOR AMERICA INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WESTERN ORGANIZATION OF RESOURCE COUNCILS EDUCATION PROJECT | BILLINGS, MT | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF TAYLOR | TAYLOR, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP | VAN BUREN CHARTER TOWN, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF LINCOLN PARK | LINCOLN PARK, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PLAINFIELD CHARTER TOWNSHIP | BELMONT, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT | CHESTERFIELD, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF MUSKEGON | MUSKEGON, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BEDFORD TOWNSHIP | TEMPERANCE, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF DEARBORN HEIGHTS | DEARBORN HEIGHTS, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAGINAW TOWNSHIP TREASURER | SAGINAW, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF NOVI | NOVI, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF ROYAL OAK | ROYAL OAK, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF PORTAGE | PORTAGE, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF HOLLAND | HOLLAND, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF ORION | LAKE ORION, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF BAY CITY GENERAL DISBURSEMENT | BAY CITY, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF ST CLAIR SHORES | CITY OF ST CLAIR SHORE, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| REDFORD TOWNSHIP | REDFORD, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF BATTLE CREEK | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF MOORHEAD | MOORHEAD, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
CLARK COUNTY ELECTION DEPARTMENT
$1,350,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITIES FORWARD INC
$1,300,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PARTNERSHIP FOR LARGE ELECTION JURISDICT
$856,000GENERAL SUPPORT
INFORMING DEMOCRACY EDUCATION FUND
$600,000GENERAL SUPPORT
STRONG DEMOCRACY FOUNDATION
$400,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WASHOE COUNTY
$350,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF DETROIT
$350,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BERNALILLO COUNTY
$350,000GENERAL SUPPORT
US DIGITAL RESPONSE
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PUBLIC RIGHTS PROJECT
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CENTER FOR CIVIC DESIGN
$238,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BOULDER COUNTY
$110,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COUNT MI VOTE EDUCATION FUND
$103,750GENERAL SUPPORT
DOCUMENTARY EDUCATIONS RESOURCES INC
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COUNTY OF SANDOVAL
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MESA COUNTY ELECTIONS
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
DONA ANA COUNTY CLERK
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SANTA FE COUNTY
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF WESTLAND
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE CITY OF DEARBORN
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF FLINT
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CLINTON
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF TROY MICHIGAN
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF SOUTHFIELD
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF LIVONIA
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TOWNSHIP OF MACOMB
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF FARMINGTON HILLS
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF CANTON
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORK FOR AMERICA INC
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WESTERN ORGANIZATION OF RESOURCE COUNCILS EDUCATION PROJECT
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF TAYLOR
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF LINCOLN PARK
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PLAINFIELD CHARTER TOWNSHIP
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF MUSKEGON
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BEDFORD TOWNSHIP
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF DEARBORN HEIGHTS
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SAGINAW TOWNSHIP TREASURER
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF NOVI
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF ROYAL OAK
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF PORTAGE
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF HOLLAND
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF ORION
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF BAY CITY GENERAL DISBURSEMENT
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF ST CLAIR SHORES
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
REDFORD TOWNSHIP
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF BATTLE CREEK
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF MOORHEAD
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT