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← FOUNDATION FOR THE DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACIES INC

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by FOUNDATION FOR THE DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACIES INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$32,538,609
Total expenses
$30,922,870
Contributions and grants received
$31,956,043
Grants paid
$900,000
Program service revenue
$128,718
Investment income
$346,332
Other revenue
$107,516
Total assets, end of year
$41,304,210
Total liabilities, end of year
$13,600,276
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$27,703,934
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$23,031,887
Management and general expenses
$4,998,479
Fundraising expenses
$2,892,504
Program service expenses (Part III)
$23,031,887

Program services were 74.5% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $31,956,043

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $1,019,360

  • 2a · Program service revenue: Consulting Revenue

    total $128,718 · related or exempt $128,718

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $355,894 · excluded $355,894

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $104,676

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $104,676

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $104,676 · excluded $104,676

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $1,009,798

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $1,019,360

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$9,562

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$9,562 · excluded -$9,562

  • 11a · Other revenue: Other revenue

    total $2,840 · excluded $2,840

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $2,840

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $900,000 · program services $900,000

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $4,033,585 · program services $2,120,206 · management and general $538,640 · fundraising $1,374,739

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $9,913,501 · program services $8,393,566 · management and general $978,790 · fundraising $541,145

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $419,217 · program services $338,864 · management and general $43,249 · fundraising $37,104

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $1,141,002 · program services $912,799 · management and general $142,879 · fundraising $85,324

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $852,669 · program services $648,382 · management and general $91,978 · fundraising $112,309

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $900,065 · program services $711,994 · management and general $177,099 · fundraising $10,972

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $29,125 · management and general $29,125

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $9,364 · management and general $9,364

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $8,259,970 · program services $5,897,794 · management and general $2,323,194 · fundraising $38,982

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $602,057 · program services $396,708 · management and general $131,493 · fundraising $73,856

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $777,653 · program services $494,635 · management and general $213,505 · fundraising $69,513

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $942,791 · program services $716,843 · management and general $101,894 · fundraising $124,054

  • 17 · Travel

    total $1,262,897 · program services $904,475 · management and general $105,307 · fundraising $253,115

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $450,703 · program services $254,142 · management and general $72,822 · fundraising $123,739

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $255,642 · program services $194,950 · management and general $27,370 · fundraising $33,322

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $172,629 · program services $146,529 · management and general $11,770 · fundraising $14,330

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $10,597,341 · end of year $9,156,609

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $5,410,156 · end of year $3,879,642

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $626,771 · end of year $3,050,868

  • 5 · Loans and receivables from officers and key people

    end of year $120,589

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $477,392 · end of year $443,313

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $3,203,936

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $2,452,815

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $893,761 · end of year $751,121

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $9,738,489 · end of year $14,408,095

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $3,978,921 · end of year $9,493,973

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $1,393,318 · end of year $1,922,633

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $250,000 · end of year $428,553

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $4,567,887 · end of year $11,249,090

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $16,093,261 · end of year $20,386,138

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $9,418,365 · end of year $7,317,796

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

To conduct research and provide education on national security and on international terrorism. See Schedule O for full mission

Activities or mission (Part I)

Research institute focusing on foreign policy and national security- See Schedule O

  • Research: Provides research on national security, international relations, terrorism, and related issues on a timely basis and in response to the political and societal environment.

    Expenses $8,764,990

  • Communications and Government Relations: Educates the general public and policy audiences on issues related to national security, international relations, terrorism, and other issues related to the defense of democratic societies and institutions.

    Expenses $3,990,999 · Grants $900,000

  • Iran Threat: Provides policy research, analysis, and education addressing Iran's support for terrorism and the pursuit of nuclear weapons.

    Expenses $2,384,604

  • Center on Economic and Financial Power: Examines how democracies can use sanctions as economic coercion, deter illicit finance, and defend themselves against economic warfare.

    Expenses $2,063,357

  • Center on Military and Political Power: Promotes understanding of the defense strategies, policies, and capabilities necessary to deter and defeat threats to the freedom, security, and prosperity of Americans and our allies by providing rigorous, timely, and relevant research and analysis.

    Expenses $1,503,485

  • Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation: Aims to promote a greater understanding of the threats and opportunities to national security posed by the rapidly expanding technological environment.

    Expenses $1,908,935 · Revenue $128,718

  • Extremism Projects: Conduct research and analysis of certain groups and nations that may cause harm to the US or other democratic allies.

    Expenses $1,482,896

  • Education and Training Programs: Provide mentoring, skill-building workshops, roundtables, and travel opportunities to mid-career professionals working in various aspects of national security and public policy.

    Expenses $932,621

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Timothy Gordon

    Chairman

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2
  • Leonard Abramson

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Isaac Applbaum

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • David Arditi

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • David Barish

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Brian Bilzin

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Michael Cohen

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Eric Dezenhall

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Larry Hochberg

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • David Horowitz

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Robert Kargman

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Lennert Leader

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • James Litinsky

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Bernard Marcus deceased 1124

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Alan Meltzer

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • David Naftaly

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Natty Nashman

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Mark Pelson

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Mark Pruzanksi

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Kenneth Schwartz

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Tina Snider

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • David Sterling

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Gil Tenzer

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Mark Dubowitz

    CEO

    Total calculated
    $905,290
    From this org
    $848,899
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $56,391
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $437,505
    Bonus
    $322,500
    Other
    $88,894
    Deferred
    $10,350
    Nontaxable benefits
    $46,041
    Filer's total
    $905,290
  • Clifford May

    President

    Total calculated
    $844,320
    From this org
    $793,905
    From related orgs
    $704
    Other
    $49,711
    Hours/week
    60 + 2 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $439,412 + $704 related
    Bonus
    $322,500
    Other
    $31,993
    Deferred
    $10,350
    Nontaxable benefits
    $39,361
    Filer's total
    $843,616 + $704 related
  • Jonathan J Schanzer

    SVP

    Total calculated
    $639,147
    From this org
    $578,337
    From related orgs
    $697
    Other
    $60,113
    Hours/week
    60 + 2 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $386,616 + $697 related
    Bonus
    $187,500
    Other
    $4,221
    Deferred
    $10,350
    Nontaxable benefits
    $49,763
    Filer's total
    $638,450 + $697 related
  • William McCarthy

    COO

    Total calculated
    $567,834
    From this org
    $548,961
    From related orgs
    $4,627
    Other
    $14,246
    Hours/week
    48 + 2 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $394,219 + $4,627 related
    Bonus
    $150,000
    Other
    $4,742
    Deferred
    $10,350
    Nontaxable benefits
    $3,896
    Filer's total
    $563,207 + $4,627 related
  • Lawrence Muscant

    SVP (Sr. Advisor Mid Year)

    Total calculated
    $552,839
    From this org
    $512,378
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $40,461
    Hours/week
    50 + 2 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $339,612
    Bonus
    $150,000
    Other
    $22,766
    Deferred
    $10,350
    Nontaxable benefits
    $30,111
    Filer's total
    $552,839
  • Lesli Gillette

    VP, Development

    Total calculated
    $396,376
    From this org
    $337,857
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $58,519
    Hours/week
    60

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $232,167
    Bonus
    $105,000
    Other
    $690
    Deferred
    $10,350
    Nontaxable benefits
    $48,169
    Filer's total
    $396,376
  • Eyal Hulata

    Senior International Fellow

    Total calculated
    $448,170
    From this org
    $401,906
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $46,264
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $325,000
    Bonus
    $10,000
    Other
    $66,906
    Deferred
    $10,350
    Nontaxable benefits
    $35,914
    Filer's total
    $448,170
  • Mark Montgomery

    Senior Director / Senior Fellow

    Total calculated
    $336,253
    From this org
    $308,711
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $27,542
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $269,231
    Bonus
    $37,500
    Other
    $1,980
    Deferred
    $9,261
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,281
    Filer's total
    $336,253
  • Elizabeth L Robbins

    VP

    Total calculated
    $331,587
    From this org
    $315,521
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $16,066
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $269,231
    Bonus
    $45,000
    Other
    $1,290
    Deferred
    $9,466
    Nontaxable benefits
    $6,600
    Filer's total
    $331,587
  • Elaine K Dezenski

    Senior Director

    Total calculated
    $340,938
    From this org
    $293,652
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $47,286
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $255,462
    Bonus
    $37,500
    Other
    $690
    Deferred
    $9,096
    Nontaxable benefits
    $38,190
    Filer's total
    $340,938
  • Bradley L Bowman

    Senior Director

    Total calculated
    $349,342
    From this org
    $302,275
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $47,067
    Hours/week
    50

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $263,462
    Bonus
    $37,500
    Other
    $1,313
    Deferred
    $9,068
    Nontaxable benefits
    $37,999
    Filer's total
    $349,342

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 1a · First-class or charter travel
  • 1a · Travel for companions
  • 1a · Tax indemnification and gross-up payments
  • 1a · Housing allowance or residence for personal use
  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Written employment contract
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 1b · Written policy on the line-1a expenses
  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

Part I, Line 1a
FDD grosses up the reimbursement of the President's and Chief Executive Officer's supplemental life insurance so that the net amount covers the cost of the policy. This insurance is provided as a result of an enhanced security risk to the CEO and is included in his taxable compensation. Additionally costs realted overseas assignments taxable to the various members of staff and were grossed-up to cover the taxable costs of these expenses. As Outlined in FDD's Travel policy, First-Class/Business Class travel is offered for travel over a certain length of time. Travel for companions is offered to family members related to international assignments. Additionally, housing allowance is offered for International Assignments.
Part I, Line 1b
While there is no written policy for these expenses, the reimbursements were approved by the Compensation Committee. Additionally, First-Class/Bussiness Class travel is included in FDD's travel policy. All other items are at the descretion of Senior Management and/or FDD's compensation Committee.
Part I, Line 4b
Certain officers participated a split-dollar life insurance plan during FY 24 (see Schedule L Part II for detail). The terms and conditions of the plan are confidential and available to the IRS upon request.
Part I, Line 7
Bonus targets are set annually by management and the Compensation Committee. Bonuses are paid to staff based on performance and accomplishments. Regular employee bonuses are approved by management. Bonuses to the President, CEO, and officers are set and approved by the Compensation Committee.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

  • FDD Action

    501(c)(4) · Advocate for effective policies to promote U.S. national security · DC · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Inc

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
17 October 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202503079349301755

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