The State Democracy Project (SDP) is a nonprofit organization that serves as an active fiscal sponsor of left-of-center voter mobilization groups. It also disburses grants to existing left-of-center organizations. ^{1 2}

Background

The State Democracy Project was founded in 1997 with the purpose of providing funds to “everyday Americans” who aim to “improv[e] democracy” but would be unable to organize political activist groups due to a lack of funds. ³

The State Democracy Project operates as a fiscal sponsor of left-of-center activist and voter-mobilization groups. It accepts pitches from organizers looking for fiscal sponsorship and actively encourages submissions, arguing that activists should not have to worry about finances and instead should be able to dedicate their focus to their political work. ⁴

Projects

As of 2024, State Democracy Project was providing fiscal sponsorship in some capacity to 13 groups, including the Be a Hero Education Fund, Black Men Build, Columbus Stand Up, Firebrand, the Green New Deal Network, In Defense of Black Lives – Atlanta, Leaders of Kenosha, New Jersey Working Families Alliance, Pro-Democracy Center, Reclaim Rhode Island, Unemployed Workers United, United Ft. Worth, and Un-PAC. For tax status reasons, SDP makes sure to state that its funds do not go toward the electoral activities of its projects. ⁵

Financials

In 2022, the State Democracy Project (SDP) had an income of $1,932,025, expenses of $2,456,576, and net assets of $262,774. ⁶

SDP “strongly urges prospective donors” to donate to its fiscally sponsored projects instead. ⁷

Grantmaking

The State Democracy Project provides funds to various left-of-center advocacy groups and foundations. In 2022, SDP gave $1,401,949 to the Working Families Organization, $249,000 to the Be a Hero Education Fund, $292,525 to Tides Foundation, $100,000 to Un-PAC, $38,965 to Tides Advocacy, $34,605 to Pennsylvania Voice, $29,095 to Michigan Voices, $24,583 to the Hmong American Women’s Association, and $24,533 to Planned Parenthood of Michigan. ⁸

Leadership

As of 2024, Beth Schulman was serving as the executive director of the State Democracy Project. She previously worked for the Institute for Policy Studies, socialist magazine In These Times, the Advancement Project, and Every Voice. She describes her life’s work as “social justice advocacy” born out of the idea that there should be “no tolerance for rampant inequality and injustice.” ⁹

In 2024, its board of directors was comprised of consultant Tamara Brunner, chief strategist of the Center for Ballot Freedom; co-founder of the Working Families Party Dan Cantor; principal of Shakti Campaigns Rajan Narang; and co-director of Black Men Build Asa Shaw. ¹⁰

1. “State Democracy Project.” State Democracy Project. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.statedemocracyproject.org/.
2. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). State Democracy Project (SDP). 2022. Schedule I. Part II – Grants and Other Assistance to Domestic Organizations and Domestic Governments.
3. “About.” State Democracy Project. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.statedemocracyproject.org/about.
4. “State Democracy Project.” State Democracy Project. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.statedemocracyproject.org/.
5. “Our Partners.” State Democracy Project. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.statedemocracyproject.org/our-partners.
6. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). State Democracy Project (SDP). 2022. Part I, lines 12, 18, 22.
7. “Donate.” State Democracy Project. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.statedemocracyproject.org/donate.
8. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). State Democracy Project (SDP). 2022. Schedule I. Part II – Grants and Other Assistance to Domestic Organizations and Domestic Governments.
9. “About.” State Democracy Project. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.statedemocracyproject.org/about.
10. “About.” State Democracy Project. Accessed July 28, 2024. https://www.statedemocracyproject.org/about.