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.
$150.3M
$106.5M
$356.2M
$355.5M
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.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INTERNATIONAL REPUBLICAN INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $35,410,575 | 2025 | DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES |
| AMERICAN CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL LABOR SOLIDARITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $34,259,215 | 2025 | PLURALISM |
| CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE ENTERPRISE | WASHINGTON, DC | $33,392,527 | 2025 | PLURALISM |
| NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS | WASHINGTON, DC | $32,831,250 | 2025 | DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES |
| CHINA DIGITAL TIMES INC | BERKELEY, CA | $1,247,154 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| EYE MEDIA GROUP LLC | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $770,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| DIRECTORIO DEMOCRATICO CUBANO INC | MIAMI, FL | $650,004 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| SCHOLARS AT RISK INC | NEW YORK, NY | $585,084 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE ON RACE EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $534,835 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| PEN AMERICAN CENTER INC | NEW YORK, NY | $488,260 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| FREEDOM HOUSE | WASHINGTON, DC | $465,719 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| BUSINESS & HUMAN RIGHTS RESOURCE CENTRE | NEW YORK, NY | $417,492 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| INTERNATIONAL LABOR RIGHTS FORUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $393,332 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| NETFREEDOM PIONEERS | MARINA DEL REY, CA | $384,548 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| CENTER FOR VICTIMS OF TORTURE | ST PAUL, MN | $348,660 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| UN MUNDO SIN MORDAZA INC | COLLEGE STATION, TX | $327,097 | 2025 | DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES |
| CUBALEX | WASHINGTON, DC | $289,084 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| UYGHUR HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT | WASHINGTON, DC | $279,996 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISTS INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $256,411 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| GRUPO INTERNACIONAL PARA LA RESPONSABILIDAD SOCIAL CORPORATIVA EN CUBA INC | MIAMI, FL | $245,772 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| EURASIANET INC | NEW YORK, NY | $244,776 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| FREEDOM NOW | WASHINGTON, DC | $243,163 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR JOURNALISTS INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $239,063 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| IDEAS BEYOND BORDERS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $237,105 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| ETILAATROZ LLC | SILVER SPRING, MD | $229,612 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| STUDENTS FOR A FREE TIBET INC | NEW YORK, NY | $220,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| ASSOCIATION OF THE BAR OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK FUND INC DBA THE VANCE C | NEW YORK, NY | $212,804 | 2025 | DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES |
| JAPAN CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $212,580 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| ROBERT F KENNEDY HUMAN RIGHTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $209,575 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| PEOPLE POWERED GLOBAL HUB FOR PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $200,004 | 2025 | DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES |
| CAMPAIGN FOR UYGHURS INCORPORATED | WASHINGTON, DC | $189,996 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| LOCALIZATION LAB | NEW YORK, NY | $183,330 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY | PRINCETON, NJ | $179,379 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| INTERNATIONAL TIBET NETWORK | BERKELEY, CA | $174,548 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| WORLD LIBERTY CONGRESS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $160,488 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| THE TAHRIR INSTITUTE FOR MIDDLE EAST POLICY | WASHINGTON, DC | $160,038 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| THE POYNTER INSTITUTE FOR MEDIA STUDIES INC | ST PETERSBURG, FL | $158,150 | 2025 | DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES |
| MAS VOCES FOUNDATION INC | MIAMI, FL | $156,900 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| FOUNDATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN CUBA INC | CORAL GABLES, FL | $155,004 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| CENTER FOR EUROPEAN POLICY ANALYSIS | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,504 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| CS21 INC | MIAMI, FL | $150,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR NOT-FOR-PROFIT LAW INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $147,218 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| THE TRUST FOR THE AMERICAS | WASHINGTON, DC | $140,724 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| PROJECT EXPEDITE JUSTICE | KEALAKEKUA, HI | $137,547 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON DC, DC | $129,012 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| EDITORIAL HYPERMEDIA INC | MIAMI, FL | $128,955 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| ABDORRAHMAN BOROUMAND CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN IRAN | WASHINGTON, DC | $120,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| TIBET JUSTICE CENTER | BERKELEY, CA | $112,401 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
| CIVIC SPACE INSTITUTE | SILVER SPRING, MD | $110,383 | 2025 | PLURALISM |
| MYANMAR POLICY INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $110,004 | 2025 | EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE |
INTERNATIONAL REPUBLICAN INSTITUTE
$35,410,575DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES
CHINA DIGITAL TIMES INC
$1,247,154EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
EYE MEDIA GROUP LLC
$770,000EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
DIRECTORIO DEMOCRATICO CUBANO INC
$650,004EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE ON RACE EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
$534,835EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
NETFREEDOM PIONEERS
$384,548EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
UN MUNDO SIN MORDAZA INC
$327,097DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES
CUBALEX
$289,084EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
GRUPO INTERNACIONAL PARA LA RESPONSABILIDAD SOCIAL CORPORATIVA EN CUBA INC
$245,772EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
EURASIANET INC
$244,776EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
FREEDOM NOW
$243,163EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
ETILAATROZ LLC
$229,612EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES
JAPAN CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE INC
$212,580EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES
CAMPAIGN FOR UYGHURS INCORPORATED
$189,996EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
LOCALIZATION LAB
$183,330EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
INTERNATIONAL TIBET NETWORK
$174,548EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
WORLD LIBERTY CONGRESS INC
$160,488EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE & POLITICAL PARTIES
MAS VOCES FOUNDATION INC
$156,900EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
CS21 INC
$150,000EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
PROJECT EXPEDITE JUSTICE
$137,547EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
EDITORIAL HYPERMEDIA INC
$128,955EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
ABDORRAHMAN BOROUMAND CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN IRAN
$120,000EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
TIBET JUSTICE CENTER
$112,401EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
CIVIC SPACE INSTITUTE
$110,383PLURALISM
MYANMAR POLICY INSTITUTE
$110,004EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, & CULTURE
