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
-
$900,000
General Operations
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.
-
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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