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Public Advocates Inc at a glanceMostly funded, not a grantmaker: see who funds it →

· Public charity

Public Advocates Inc

For more than five decades, public advocates has challenged the systemic causes of poverty and racial discrimination by strengthening community voices in public policy and achieving tangible legal victories advancing education, housing, transportation equity, and climate justice.

$1.0M
Granted FY2025still arriving
18
Grants FY2025still arriving
5
States reached
$115k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2019 to 2025.

Civil Rights$1.7MEducation$895kCrime & Legal$818kHousing & Shelter$800kHuman Services$605kHealth$408kCommunity Improvement$360kFood & Nutrition$321kOther$0
02FY2025 · 18 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • $10k–50k8 grants · $309k
  • $50k–250k10 grants · $724k
$62,500
Median grant
5
States reached
$20M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
THE EDUCATION TRUST INC$115,000
FLORIDA RISING TOGETHER INC$100,000
LEGAL AID OF MARIN$68,000
HOUSING LEADERSHIP COUNCIL OF SAN MATEO COUNTY$68,000
EAST BAY HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS$64,000
CALIFORNIANS FOR JUSTICE$64,000
SVHOME$64,000
TENANTS TOGETHER$62,500
ACCE INSTITUTE$62,500
PEOPLE POWER MEDIA$56,000
THE PUBLIC INTEREST LAW PROJECT$40,000
CENTER FOR POPULAR DEMOCRACY$38,473
VOICES OF COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS & LEADERS INC$38,473
LIBERATION IN A GENERATION INC$38,473
LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW$38,473
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY19–24, $605k) land where the poverty rate runs at 15%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 51% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants spread fairly evenly across need levels.

area typical 11%Make the Road States: $93k → 20%UNITED FOR A NEW ECONOMY: $95k → 10%Make the Road States: $93k → 20%United for a New Economy: $95k → 10%MAKE THE ROAD STATES INC: $93k → 20%United for a New Economy: $95k → 10%ACCE Action: $15k → 14%ACCE Action: $15k → 14%Tides Center: $13k → 10%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

IL
NY
MA
IN
CA
CO
MO
VA
NC
DC
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

89%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$5.8M · 26 repeat orgs$709k to everyone else

26 repeat relationships: 10 still active in FY2025, 16 since wound down; 7 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

26
8

Total granted

$5.8M
$275k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+2%
+25%

Still filing today

100%
88%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 58% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $434k went to new ones.

50%100%’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Civil RightsCommunity ImprovementCrime & LegalEducationHuman ServicesPublic BenefitOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • TT
    Tenants Together
    7× · 2019–2025 · $548k · revenue +115% · 28% of their budget
  • VO
    VOICES OF COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS & LEADERS (VOCAL-NY) INC
    5× · 2021–2025 · $408k · revenue +100%
  • MT
    Make The Road States Inc
    3× · 2022–2024 · $278k · revenue +44%

Funded once

  • CATALYST CALIFORNIA
    one grant, 2020 · $90k · revenue -46%
  • GO
    GENTE ORGANIZADA
    one grant, 2023 · $30k · revenue +25%
  • THIRD SECTOR NEW ENGLAND INCgraduated
    one grant, 2020 · $30k · revenue +31%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Jobs with Justice San Francisco

A long-term, strategic alliance of labor, community, faith-based, and student organizations working together to build greater economic power for workers and community members through employee rights at work and access to good jobs,…

Employment
2
California Center for Movement Legal Services

The California Center for Movement Legal Services (Movement Legal) provides legal services in the pursuit of improving the lives of California's traditionally underserved residents, carrying out legal work that fosters community led policy…

Crime & Legal
3
Asian Law Caucus

The Asian Law Caucus's mission is to promote, advance, and represent the legal and civil rights of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, recognizing that social, economic, political and racial inequalities continue to exist…

Crime & Legal
4
American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California

The american civil liberties union of northern california (aclu nc union) defends and advances the principles of freedom, equality and justice contained in the united states constitution. aclu nc union, a california mutual benefit…

—
5
California Donor Table

California Donor Table anchors a hub of donors, foundations, and community leaders. We pool together our resources to shape California into a truly democratic state that works for the people, not the powerful. Rooted in our commitment to…

Civil Rights
6
Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy

CAUSE's mission is to build grassroots power to realize social, economic and environmental justice for the people of the Central Coast Region through policy research, leadership development, organizing and advocacy.

Community Improvement
7
Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area

As one of the most enduring civil rights institutions on the West Coast, we work to dismantle systems of oppression and racism, and build an equitable and just society.

—
8
Inner City Law Center

In 2024, Inner City Law Center, ICLC, served over 3,400 people, helping vulnerable Angelenos to remain in their homes and recover nearly $20.5 million in financial benefits.

Crime & Legal
9
Cooperation L a

The L.A. Co-op Lab is a collective that builds capacity for worker ownership in Los Angeles as a pathway toward a more equitable and democratic economy.

Arts & Culture
10
Legal Link

Legal Link removes legal barriers that prolong poverty by adding critically needed capacity to the legal ecosystem.

Crime & Legal
11
Mid-City Community Advocacy Network

Mid-city community advocacy network works to build a safe, productive, and healthy community for the residents of city heights and greater san diego through collaboration, advocacy, and organizing.

Community Improvement
12
The Climate Center

The Climate Center is a climate and energy policy nonprofit working to rapidly reduce climate pollution at scale, starting in California.

Education
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Voices of Community Activists & Leaders (Vocal-Ny) Inc; the most unlike its peers is Schools and Communities First. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

42 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

2
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
12
Early backer (in before they grew)
41/42
Grantees still filing
24/42
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Californians For Justice Education Fund: $741,400 · Civil RightsCalifornians For Justice E…RIGHT TO THE CITY ALLIANCE: $613,540 · Civil RightsRIGHT TO THE CITY ALLIANCEFLORIDA RISING TOGETHER INC: $100,000 · Civil RightsFLORIDA RISING TOGETHER IN…+3 more: $83,758 · Civil Rights+3 moreLawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law: $398,313 · OtherLawyers' Committee for Civil Rights U…NORTH CAROLINA HOUSING COALITION INC: $277,500 · OtherNORTH CAROLINA HOUSING COALITION INCEAST BAY COMMUNITY LAW CENTER: $94,872 · OtherCommunity Legal Services in East Palo Alto Inc: $94,872 · OtherNational Housing and Community Development Law Project: $81,825 · OtherPoverty and Race Research Action Council: $319,513 · OtherPoverty and Race Research Action Coun…Miami Workers Center Inc: $200,000 · OtherMiami Workers Center IncCATALYST CALIFORNIA: $90,000 · Other+12 more: $607,363 · Other+12 moreACCE Institute: $445,285 · EducationACCE Institu…The Education Trust Inc: $215,000 · EducationThe Educatio…GENTE ORGANIZADA: $30,000 · EducationKheprw Institute dba KI NuMedia CCFI: $30,000 · EducationUNITED FOR A NEW ECONOMY: $285,000 · Human ServicesUNITED FOR…Make The Road States Inc: $277,500 · Human ServicesMake The R…Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment Action: $30,000 · Human Services+1 more: $12,500 · Human ServicesTenants Together: $547,693 · Food & NutritionTenants T…POLICYLINK: $280,998 · Community ImprovementPOWERSWITCH ACTION: $71,258 · Community ImprovementFaith In Action East Bay: $47,400 · Community ImprovementUrban Habitat Program: $42,693 · Community ImprovementORANGE COUNTY CONGREGATION COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION: $37,000 · Community ImprovementTHIRD SECTOR NEW ENGLAND INC: $30,000 · Community ImprovementVOICES OF COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS & LEADERS (VOCAL-NY) INC: $407,758 · Health
Civil Rights$1,538,698Other$2,164,258Education$720,285Human Services$605,000Food & Nutrition$547,693Community Improvement$509,349Health$407,758

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetCalifornians For Justice Education Fund: $741,400 over 6y, 2.3% of budgetRIGHT TO THE CITY ALLIANCE: $613,540 over 5y, 1.2% of budgetTenants Together: $547,693 over 7y, 28% of budgetACCE Institute: $445,285 over 4y, 4.1% of budgetVOICES OF COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS & LEADERS (VOCAL-NY) INC: $407,758 over 5y, 1.5% of budgetLawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law: $398,313 over 6y, 0.4% of budgetPoverty and Race Research Action Council: $319,513 over 6y, 4.8% of budgetUNITED FOR A NEW ECONOMY: $285,000 over 3y, 9.8% of budgetPOLICYLINK: $280,998 over 6y, 0.2% of budgetMake The Road States Inc: $277,500 over 3y, 0.7% of budgetNORTH CAROLINA HOUSING COALITION INC: $277,500 over 3y, 4.4% of budgetThe Education Trust Inc: $215,000 over 3y, 0.4% of budgetMiami Workers Center Inc: $200,000 over 2y, 4.3% of budgetEAST BAY COMMUNITY LAW CENTER: $94,872 over 3y, 0.3% of budgetCommunity Legal Services in East Palo Alto Inc: $94,872 over 3y, 0.5% of budgetCATALYST CALIFORNIA: $90,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetNational Housing and Community Development Law Project: $81,825 over 2y, 2.1% of budgetCENTER FOR POPULAR DEMOCRACY INC: $71,263 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetPOWERSWITCH ACTION: $71,258 over 3y, 0.2% of budgetHOUSING LEADERSHIP COUNCIL OF SAN MATEO COUNTY: $68,000 over 1y, 3.8% of budgetInland Congregations United for Change Sponsoring Committee Inc: $55,500 over 2y, 0.9% of budgetPARENT INSTITUTE FOR QUALITY EDUCATION INC: $50,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetFaith In Action East Bay: $47,400 over 2y, 2.6% of budgetSACRAMENTO AREA CONGREGATIONS TOGETHER: $45,100 over 2y, 1.8% of budgetUrban Habitat Program: $42,693 over 3y, 0.8% of budgetTRUE NORTH ORGANIZING NETWORK: $40,000 over 2y, 1.2% of budgetORANGE COUNTY CONGREGATION COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION: $37,000 over 2y, 4.1% of budgetGENTE ORGANIZADA: $30,000 over 1y, 1.3% of budgetAlliance of Californians for Community Empowerment Action: $30,000 over 2y, 1.5% of budgetTHIRD SECTOR NEW ENGLAND INC: $30,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetKheprw Institute dba KI NuMedia CCFI: $30,000 over 1y, 2.4% of budgetOPPORTUNITY FOR ALL COALITION: $25,000 over 1y, 16% of budgetSCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES FIRST: $25,000 over 1y, 35% of budgetMISSOURI JOBS WITH JUSTICE: $24,500 over 1y, 1.9% of budgetAction Center on Race & the Economy Institute: $20,285 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetTIDES CENTER: $12,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The San Francisco Fou…The James Irvine Foun…Amalgamated Charitabl…The California Endowm…East Bay Community Fo…New Venture FundThe California Wellne…California Community …Sunlight GivingLiberty Hill Foundati…Tides FoundationThe Ford Foundation
The San Francisco FoundationCA39.1× affinity20 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The San Francisco Foundation · The James Irvine Foundation · Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc · The California Endowment · East Bay Community Foundation · New Venture Fund · The California Wellness Foundation · California Community Foundation · Sunlight Giving · Liberty Hill Foundation · Tides Foundation · The Ford Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Public Advocates Inc funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Public Advocates Inc. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 20%3%10%23%40%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →median 3%
  • Third Sector New England Inc: 3% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
2get no government money at all
7report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 42 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990 e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Public Advocates’ filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home