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Research and Public Policy : Social and Public Policy Research

Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Fighting terrorism and promoting freedom

four stars

92.17

P.O. Box 33249 Washington, DC 20033
tel: (202) 207-0190   Web Site
EIN: 13-4174402

Board Leadership
Mark Pruzanski
Chair

CEO
Clifford May
Founder, President

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 92.17 four stars
  Financial 98.85 four stars
  Accountability & Transparency 89.00 three stars
This rating was published 06/01/2021 and includes data from FY2019, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is a non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)3 policy institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. Founded in 2001, FDD combines policy research, democracy and counterterrorism education, strategic communications and investigative journalism in support of its mission to promote pluralism, defend democratic values and fight the ideologies that drive terrorism. FDD transforms ideas into action and policy by focusing its efforts where opinions are formed and decisions are made. FDD holds events throughout the year, including the Leading Thinkers series, briefings on Capitol Hill, expert roundtables for public officials, diplomats and military officers, book releases, and panel discussions and debates within the policy community.

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is a non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)3 policy institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. Founded in 2001, FDD combines policy research, democracy and counterterrorism education, strategic communications and investigative journalism in support of its mission to promote pluralism, defend democratic values and fight the ideologies that drive terrorism. FDD transforms ideas into action and policy by focusing its efforts where opinions are formed and decisions are made. FDD holds events throughout the year, including the Leading Thinkers series, briefings on Capitol Hill, expert roundtables for public officials, diplomats and military officers, book releases, and panel discussions and debates within the policy community.

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

four stars

98.85

Accountability & Transparency

three stars

89.00

This rating was published 06/01/2021 and includes data from FY2019, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 81.0%
  Administrative Expenses 9.5%
  Fundraising Expenses 9.3%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.07
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 2.10
  Program Expenses Growth 10.1%
  Liabilities to Assets 8.4%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Foundation for Defense of Democracies on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by Foundation for Defense of Democracies on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Foundation for Defense of Democracies (DC) 92.17 four stars
The Heartland Institute (IL) 85.20 three stars
The Aspen Institute (DC) 94.21 four stars
Constitutional Accountability Center (DC) 90.20 four stars
Health Policy Institute of Ohio (OH) 92.20 four stars

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REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $32,286,592
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $0
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $238,894
Total Contributions $32,525,486
   Program Service Revenue $0
Total Primary Revenue $32,525,486
   Other Revenue $127,307
TOTAL REVENUE $32,652,793
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $13,328,648
   Administrative Expenses $2,107,064
   Fundraising Expenses $1,528,055
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $16,963,767
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $15,689,026
   
Net Assets $31,981,527

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Iran Threat $3,213,700 24.1%
Center on Economic and Financial Power $2,221,631 16.7%
Research $1,731,953 13.0%

Ratings History

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2019-12 06/01/2021 92.17 four stars
2018-12 04/01/2020 88.70 three stars
2017-12 06/01/2019 89.24 three stars
2016-12 06/01/2018 89.22 three stars
2015-12 08/01/2017 89.39 three stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 13-4174402
Name in IRS Master File FOUNDATION FOR THE DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACIES INC
NTEE Code Q01
NTEE Classification Alliance/Advocacy Organizations
NTEE Type International, Foreign Affairs and National Security
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date July, 2002
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End December
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • December, 2017
  • December, 2016
  • December, 2015
  • December, 2014
  • December, 2013
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$641,295 3.78% Mark Dubowitz CEO
Other Salaries of Note
$573,580 3.38% Clifford May President

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
Foundation for Defense of Democracies (DC) 92.17 four stars
Constitutional Accountability Center (DC) 90.20 four stars
Encore.org (CA) 92.38 four stars
Nourish California (CA) 90.72 four stars
Center for Civic Policy (NM) 89.38 three stars

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Charity Contact Info

Foundation for Defense of Democracies
P.O. Box 33249
Washington, DC 20033
tel: (202) 207-0190
EIN: 13-4174402

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Mark Pruzanski
Chair

CEO

Clifford May
Founder, President

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