Non-profit

Public Democracy America

Website:

www.publicdemocracyamerica.org/

Location:

Great Falls, VA

Tax ID:

27-1017781

Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2021):

Revenue: $8,070,256
Expenses: $8,139,315
Assets: $24,599

Type:

Advocacy Organization

Formation:

2014

Executive Director:

Scott Shallett

Budget (2022):

Revenue: $6,396,018

Expenses: $6,111,082

Assets: $309,535 1

References

  1. Public Democracy America. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990), 2022. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/871146271/202303189349103855/full

Contact InfluenceWatch with suggested edits or tips for additional profiles.

Public Democracy America is a left-of-center advocacy organization that provides aligned organizations technical and programmatic support with the administration of Google Grants. It is the nonprofit arm of Public Democracy, a digital marketing firm. 1 2

Background

In 2014, Public Democracy America was founded as a tax-exempt charitable organization in Great Falls, Virginia. It is the nonprofit arm of Public Democracy, a digital marketing firm registered as a public benefit B Corporation also registered to an address in Great Falls, Virginia. 3 4 5 6

Both organizations tout use data, databases, and artificial intelligence to formulate campaigns and drive engagement with their target communities. 7 8

Activity

Better Angels Program

One of Public Democracy America’s first initiatives was the Better Angels Program. As of March 2024, it consists of a network of over 80 aligned nonprofits involved in advocacy related to critical race theory, health care, environmentalism, veterans’ issues, and artificial intelligence. Public Democracy America assist participants in the program in the application for and management of a Google Grant of $10,000 per month in advertising engagement though the Google platform. 9 10

Organizations participating in the Better Angels Program, which Public Democracy America, describes as “Partners,” include the American Society on Aging, American Families, Florida Conservation Voters, Born Brown, Black Economic Alliance, Lawyers for Good Government, Environmental Protection Network, Empower Fund, Government Accountability Project, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, United for Equity, National Urban League, We the Veterans, States United Democracy Center, Turnout Nation, and Clean Energy for America Education Fund. 11

The Lab

Public Democracy America provides data and strategic support services to aligned organizations, particularly those participating in its Better Angels Program. The organization has assisted with campaigns intended to encourage veterans to register to vote, encourage particular communities to participate in COVID-19 clinical research projects, and identify opioid addicts for the purpose of providing targeted interventions. 12

Public Democracy Action

Public Democracy Action, Public Democracy America’s lobbying arm, was founded in April 2010 as a 501(c)(4) organization. Like Public Democracy America and Public Democracy, Public Democracy Action’s main activity areas involve campaigns focusing on veterans’ issues, health care, and immigration issues. 13 14 15

Leadership

Scott Shallett is the executive director of Public Democracy America as well as the managing partner and head of public affairs at Medora Strategies, a public relations firm. Previously, Shalett was the head of civic engagement at JPMorgan Chase, principal at Dewey Square Group, head of the southern political desk at the Democratic National Committee, director of then-Vice President Al Gore’s get-out-the-vote effort for the 2000 Iowa Caucuses, field director for then-U.S. Senator Carl Levin’s (D-MI) re-election campaign in 1996, and director of City Council relations for then-New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial (D) from 1994 to 1996. 16 17

Rachel Johnson is the president of Public Democracy America’s board of directors as well as the organization’s head of strategic operations. Previously, she was the executive director of strategy and communications at the Riverside Church in New York and the campaigns director of Eleison, LLC, a consulting firm. 18

References

  1. “Google Ad Grants.” Google. Accessed March 25, 2024. https://www.google.com/grants/
  2. “Better Angels Program.” Public Democracy America. Accessed March 25, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracyamerica.org/better-angels-program
  3. “Our Office.” Public Democracy. Accessed March 18, 2024. Public Democracy. Accessed March 18, 2024.
  4. “Public Democracy America.” ProPublica. Accessed March 25, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/271017781
  5. “Our Story.” Public Democracy. Accessed March 25, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracy.io/our-story
  6. “About Us.” Public Democracy America. Accessed March 25, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracyamerica.org/about
  7. “Our Story.” Public Democracy. Accessed March 25, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracy.io/our-story
  8. “About Us.” Public Democracy America. Accessed March 25, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracyamerica.org/about
  9. “Google Ad Grants.” Google. Accessed March 25, 2024.

    https://www.google.com/grants/

  10. “Better Angels Program.” Public Democracy America. Accessed March 25, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracyamerica.org/better-angels-program
  11. “Better Angels Program.” Public Democracy America. Accessed March 25, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracyamerica.org/better-angels-program
  12. “The Lab.” Public Democracy America. Accessed March 18, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracyamerica.org/the-lab
  13. “Current Campaigns.” Public Democracy Action. Accessed March 25, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracyaction.org/current-campaigns-1
  14. Homepage. Public Democracy Action. Accessed March 25, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracyaction.org/
  15. “Public Democracy Action.” ProPublica. Accessed March 25, 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/264222057
  16. “Scott Shalett.” Public Democracy America. Accessed March 18, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracyamerica.org/scott-shalett
  17. “Scott Shalett.” Public Democracy. Accessed March 18, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracy.io/scottshalett#:~:text=SENIOR%20ADVISOR,owner%2C%20consultant%20and%20team%20player.
  18. “Rachel Johnson.” Public Democracy America. Accessed March 18, 2024. https://www.publicdemocracyamerica.org/rachel-johnson
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: September 1, 2014

  • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2021 Dec Form 990 $8,070,256 $8,139,315 $24,599 $5,319 N $8,070,256 $0 $0 $240,184
    2020 Dec Form 990 $1,000,000 $982,200 $97,888 $5,319 N $1,000,000 $0 $0 $0
    2019 Dec Form 990 $200,075 $120,001 $80,088 $5,319 N $200,000 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990EZ $0 $0 $14 $5,319 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990EZ $0 $0 $14 $5,319 $0 $0 $0 $0
    2016 Dec Form 990EZ $0 $0 $19 $5,319 $0 $0 $0 $0
    2015 Dec Form 990EZ $105,374 $87,405 $17,969 $5,319 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990EZ $0 $21,105 $1 $5,319 $0 $0 $0 $0
    2013 Dec Form 990EZ $187,743 $171,957 $15,786 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990EZ $4,000 $4,000 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990EZ $913 $9,413 $1 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2010 Dec Form 990EZ $15,044 $6,544 $8,500 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF
    2009 Dec Form 990EZ $10,657 $10,657 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF

    Public Democracy America

    10001 GEORGETOWN PIKE UNIT 317
    Great Falls, VA 22066-8016