A private, nonprofit foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world.
National Endowment for Democracy centers its grantmaking on strengthening democratic institutions around the world, with its largest recent awards going to organizations that work on democratic governance and political parties. Two of its biggest grants in the recent file went to the International Republican Institute: $39,199,882 in 2024 and $35,410,575 in 2025. The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs also appears repeatedly at a similar scale, including $34,064,979 in 2023, $33,422,549 in 2024, and $32,831,250 in 2025. That pattern shows a funder that makes large programmatic awards rather than small, isolated grants. The portfolio also includes substantial support for pluralism, independent media, civic education, and related public-interest work. Recent examples include $34,259,215 to the American Center for International Labor Solidarity in 2025 for pluralism, and $33,392,527 to the Center for International Private Enterprise in 2025 for pluralism. The foundation’s named focus areas also extend to human rights, rule of law, election support and political processes, democratic conflict resolution, anti-kleptocracy, technology and information integrity, fellowships, and capacity building.
A major theme is democratic governance and political party development. The International Republican Institute received $39,199,882 in 2024 and $35,410,575 in 2025 for that purpose, while the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs received $33,422,549 in 2024 and $32,831,250 in 2025. Pluralism is another clear focus. The American Center for International Labor Solidarity received $34,259,215 in 2025 for pluralism, and the Center for International Private Enterprise received $33,392,527 in 2025 for pluralism. Education, communication, and culture also appear in the recent record. The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs received $34,064,979 in 2023 for education, communication, and culture plus democratic governance and political parties, and Freedom House received $1,325,087 in 2023 for education, communication, and culture plus pluralism.
Typical grant size sits at $62,184 at the 25th percentile, $130,027 at the median, and $231,290 at the 75th percentile, but the recent file also shows very large program awards at the top end. Grants appear to recur across multiple years: the International Republican Institute, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, American Center for International Labor Solidarity, Center for International Private Enterprise, Freedom House, Scholars at Risk Inc, and Cuban Democratic Directorate all show up in more than one year. The funder is a regular grantmaker, not an individual-giving or program-related-investment vehicle. The pattern is programmatic and multi-year rather than one-off, with recurring support tied to named initiatives.
$118.5M
$165.3M
$298M
$298.4M
Most grants fall between $62K and $231K, with a median of $130K.
25th Percentile
$62K
Median
$130K
75th Percentile
$231K
DAMON WILSON
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The grant record is heavily centered in the United States: every listed recipient country is US, with 248 grants there. Washington, DC appears most often among recipient locations, including many of the largest awards. Other recipient cities in the file include Miami, FL; Berkeley, CA; St Paul, MN; Virginia Beach, VA; New York, NY; and Marina del Rey, CA. Florida is the top state by grant count, even though the foundation itself is headquartered in Washington, DC.
The recent grants show support for democratic governance and political parties, pluralism, and education, communication, and culture. Named recipients include the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, the Center for International Private Enterprise, Freedom House, and Scholars at Risk Inc.
The typical grant size is $62,184 at the 25th percentile, $130,027 at the median, and $231,290 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes much larger program grants, including awards above $30 million.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including the International Republican Institute, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, American Center for International Labor Solidarity, Center for International Private Enterprise, Freedom House, Scholars at Risk Inc, and Cuban Democratic Directorate.
All listed recipient-country locations are in the US, with 248 grants there. Within the US, Washington, DC appears frequently, and Florida is the top state by grant count among recipients.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from National Endowment for Democracy that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Targets at-risk individuals and organizations supporting or providing protection to democracy advocates under attack; public disclosure may be restricted for safety reasons.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL LABOR SOLIDARITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $33,255,283 | 2026 | PLURALISM |
| NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS | WASHINGTON, DC | $28,653,714 | 2026 | DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES |
| INTERNATIONAL REPUBLICAN INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $23,692,159 | 2026 | DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES |
| CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE ENTERPRISE | WASHINGTON, DC | $21,642,652 | 2026 | PLURALISM |
| CHINA DIGITAL TIMES INC | BERKELEY, CA | $1,026,720 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| FREEDOM HOUSE | WASHINGTON, DC | $675,391 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| EYE MEDIA GROUP LLC | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $663,333 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| DIRECTORIO DEMOCRATICO CUBANO INC | MIAMI, FL | $433,333 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| NETFREEDOM PIONEERS | MARINA DEL REY, CA | $389,375 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| UN MUNDO SIN MORDAZA INC | COLLEGE STATION, TX | $305,387 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| THESENTRYORG INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $281,250 | 2026 | DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES |
| ROBERT F KENNEDY HUMAN RIGHTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $270,325 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| WORLD LIBERTY CONGRESS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $253,707 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| INTERNATIONAL LABOR RIGHTS FORUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| ARTISTS AT RISK CONNECTION INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $245,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| JAPAN CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $244,142 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $243,590 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| UYGHUR HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT | WASHINGTON, DC | $233,333 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| GRUPO INTERNACIONAL PARA LA RESPONSABILIDAD SOCIAL CORPORATIVA EN CUBA INC | MIAMI, FL | $230,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| SCHOLARS AT RISK INC | NEW YORK, NY | $227,778 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE ON RACE EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $216,703 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| PEOPLE POWERED GLOBAL HUB FOR PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $211,539 | 2026 | DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES |
| ABDORRAHMAN BOROUMAND CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN IRAN | WASHINGTON, DC | $205,750 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| ASSOCIATION OF THE BAR OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK FUND INC DBA THE VANCE C | NEW YORK, NY | $205,385 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| EDITORIAL HYPERMEDIA INC | MIAMI, FL | $189,413 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| INTERNATIONAL TIBET NETWORK | BERKELEY, CA | $188,788 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| CUBALEX | WASHINGTON, DC | $172,783 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| GLOBAL NETWORK INITIATIVE INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $172,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| PEN AMERICAN CENTER INC | NEW YORK, NY | $172,083 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| ETILAATROZ LLC | SILVER SPRING, MD | $170,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| CAMPAIGN FOR UYGHURS INCORPORATED | WASHINGTON, DC | $169,273 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| MAS VOCES FOUNDATION INC | MIAMI, FL | $159,208 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| THE POYNTER INSTITUTE FOR MEDIA STUDIES INC | ST PETERSBURG, FL | $156,667 | 2026 | DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES |
| FOUNDATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN CUBA INC | CORAL GABLES, FL | $155,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| FREEDOM NOW | WASHINGTON, DC | $152,333 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| STUDENTS FOR A FREE TIBET INC | NEW YORK, NY | $151,222 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| CS21 INC | MIAMI, FL | $150,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| BUSINESS & HUMAN RIGHTS RESOURCE CENTRE | NEW YORK, NY | $147,143 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| THE TAHRIR INSTITUTE FOR MIDDLE EAST POLICY | WASHINGTON, DC | $146,300 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| INSTITUTE FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM SUMMIT | WASHINGTON, DC | $144,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| SUDAN TRANSPARENCY AND POLICY TRACKER | WEST ORANGE, NJ | $122,909 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY | PRINCETON, NJ | $117,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| MIDDLE EAST DEMOCRACY CENTER INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $116,875 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| CENTER FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE | ST PAUL, MN | $113,680 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| SOCIEDAD INTERAMERICANA DE PRENSA | DORAL, FL | $111,453 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| TIBET JUSTICE CENTER | BERKELEY, CA | $108,440 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| BOAT PEOPLE SOS INC | FALLS CHURCH, VA | $105,600 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| IDEAS BEYOND BORDERS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $94,697 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| RIGHTS ACTION LAB INC | SOMERVILLE, MA | $92,491 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| MYANMAR POLICY INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $90,667 | 2026 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES
INTERNATIONAL REPUBLICAN INSTITUTE
$23,692,159DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES
CHINA DIGITAL TIMES INC
$1,026,720EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
EYE MEDIA GROUP LLC
$663,333EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
DIRECTORIO DEMOCRATICO CUBANO INC
$433,333EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
NETFREEDOM PIONEERS
$389,375EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
UN MUNDO SIN MORDAZA INC
$305,387EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
WORLD LIBERTY CONGRESS INC
$253,707EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
ARTISTS AT RISK CONNECTION INC
$245,000EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
JAPAN CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE INC
$244,142EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
GRUPO INTERNACIONAL PARA LA RESPONSABILIDAD SOCIAL CORPORATIVA EN CUBA INC
$230,000EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE ON RACE EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
$216,703EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES
ABDORRAHMAN BOROUMAND CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN IRAN
$205,750EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
EDITORIAL HYPERMEDIA INC
$189,413EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
INTERNATIONAL TIBET NETWORK
$188,788EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
CUBALEX
$172,783EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
GLOBAL NETWORK INITIATIVE INC
$172,500EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
ETILAATROZ LLC
$170,000EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
CAMPAIGN FOR UYGHURS INCORPORATED
$169,273EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
MAS VOCES FOUNDATION INC
$159,208EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES
EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
FREEDOM NOW
$152,333EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
CS21 INC
$150,000EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
INSTITUTE FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM SUMMIT
$144,000EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
SUDAN TRANSPARENCY AND POLICY TRACKER
$122,909EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
MIDDLE EAST DEMOCRACY CENTER INC
$116,875EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
SOCIEDAD INTERAMERICANA DE PRENSA
$111,453EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
TIBET JUSTICE CENTER
$108,440EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
BOAT PEOPLE SOS INC
$105,600EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
RIGHTS ACTION LAB INC
$92,491EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
MYANMAR POLICY INSTITUTE
$90,667EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
