About Public Allies
To create a just and equitable society and the diverse leadership to sustain it.
Focus Areas
leadership developmentAmeriCorps / national serviceyouth developmenteducationcommunity developmentcivic engagementracial equityworkforce development
About Public Allies
Public Allies Inc centers its grantmaking on the Ally Program, an AmeriCorps-backed national apprenticeship model that places paid apprentices at nonprofit and government host sites for roughly 10 months. That program structure shows up clearly in the recent grants: the largest awards go to organizations that host or support Allies, including Community Development Technologies in Los Angeles and the University of Delaware in Wilmington. The foundation also uses a separate Leadership in Action Fund to raise resources for community leaders and to sustain programs affected by federal AmeriCorps funding cuts. Public Allies Inc describes its purpose as building a just and equitable society and the diverse leadership to sustain it, and its recent grant activity reflects that focus through leadership development, civic engagement, youth development, education, workforce development, and community development. The recent record includes repeat support across multiple years for several partners, suggesting an ongoing operating relationship rather than isolated project grants. Leadership is overseen by Chanda Smith Baker, and the funder’s national scope is evident in the mix of host sites and network partners across multiple states.
What Public Allies Funds
Leadership development is the clearest thread in Public Allies Inc’s grantmaking. It awarded $635,360 to Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center in Indianapolis for the Ally Program, and $548,213 to Asu Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation in Phoenix for the same program. Civic engagement is also explicit in support for Coro Center for Civic Leadership in Pittsburgh, which received $493,705 in 2024 for Ally Program work. In youth and family-centered service, Embrace Families Community Based Care Central Florida in Orlando received $428,515, again tied to Ally Program operations. Public Allies Inc also links its funding to educational and workforce pathways through Alamo Colleges in San Antonio, which received $375,810 for Ally Program activity.
How Public Allies Gives
Public Allies Inc gives at a substantial mid-to-large scale: the typical grant size is $190,671 at the 25th percentile, $373,804 at the median, and $500,072 at the 75th percentile. The recent record shows repeated support to the same organizations across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including multiple Ally Program awards to several hosts and partners. That pattern points to continuing program relationships rather than one-off gifts. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. One active program, Host an Ally, accepts unsolicited participation; the Leadership in Action Fund does not.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$8M
Total Assets
$6.8M
Total Revenue
$11.1M
Total Expenses
$13M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $191K and $500K, with a median of $374K.
25th Percentile
$191K
Median
$374K
75th Percentile
$500K
Geographic Reach
National11 states funded
About 0% of grants go to recipients in CA.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
CHANDA SMITH BAKER
Accepts unsolicited proposals
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