Policylink is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Oakland, California, registered in 1998, with $66,499,230 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 83% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2023)
$66.5M
▲ 44.2% vs prior year
Community median: $184K
Expenses (FY2023)
$44.4M
Net assets
$119.9M
Employees
106
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Policylink: 83% to programs · $2 to raise $100 earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Policylink: 32 mo reserves · +33% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Policylink: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Policylink: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Policylink is a national research and action institute working (continue on sch o) to build a future where all people in the united states of america can participate in a flourishing multiracial democracy, prosper in an equitable economy, and live in thriving communities of opportunity.
Flourishing democracy - this portfolio aims to build towards a flourishing democracy fueled by governing standards that advance the power and well-being of all people in all places--governing for all. this includes establishing government bodies and governing structures that can advance and protect human, social, environmental, spatial, and political rights.
Equitable economy - this portfolio aims to create an economy in which all people have good jobs, dignified and rising standards of living, and increased voice, power, and ownership. this work focuses on establishing standards--particularly corporate and industrial policy standards--designed to ensure the market serves all people, where the government produces and regulates the flow of money as commodity that is available to all, where work is honored with compensation that affords self-determination and mobility, and where wealth produced by the many is enjoyed by the many.
A) data + research - developing data and research to equip community leaders and policymakers with the tools necessary to advance equitable growth and to inform community action.b) communications - establishing a national voice--through narrative, arts, and culture--to advance policy and catalyze the imagination necessary to envision alternative futures and build the will to make them real.c) impact - leveraging results-based accountability to measure the effectiveness of our work and drive continuous improvement of our programs and internal operations.d) other - fiscal sponsorships, podcasts, and consulting engagements.the activities described in form 990, part iii, line 4, are supported by administrative and fundraising work. the organization's management and general work centers operational excellence including functions critical to: ensure a supportive working environment that centers love and accountability; provide the coordination of organizational strategy; properly implement the directives of the board of directors; manage the financial and budgetary responsibilities of the organization; and build and protect an enduring institution in a manner consistent with the rules and regulations that govern not-for-profit organizations. management and general expenses are reported in form 990, part ix, column c. the organization's fundraising work focuses on securing the financial resources necessary for the organization to achieve its mission. that funding provides capital for current activities in addition to reserve and growth funds to ensure the long-term sustainability critical to delivering on the organization's mission. fundraising expenses are reported in form 990, part ix, column d.
Revenue grew from $15.4M (FY2013) to $66.5M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
33.3%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$127.8M
Total liabilities
$7.9M
Net assets
$119.9M
Salaries & benefits
$16.4M
37% of expenses
Board members
9
8 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $66,499,230▲44.2% | $44,354,056▼16.8% | $119,866,825▲24.9% | $127,758,711▲15.1% | 990 |
| 2022 | $46,107,101▼44.7% | $53,333,535▲23.9% | $95,954,525▼7.6% | $110,956,916▼2.3% | 990 |
| 2021 | $83,393,172▲34.6% | $43,050,104▲130% | $103,880,756▲63.5% | $113,528,942▲69.1% | 990 |
| 2020 | $61,963,660▲323% | $18,681,013▲35.6% | $63,549,424▲213% | $67,149,922▲207% | 990 |
| 2019 | $14,647,593▲4.2% | $13,780,738▼8.6% | $20,299,719▲4.5% | $21,905,999▲5.4% | 990 |
| 2018 | $14,061,990▼25.8% | $15,070,035▲19.4% | $19,432,864▼4.9% | $20,776,651▼5.0% | 990 |
| 2017 | $18,946,248 | $12,617,058▲3.7% | $20,440,909▲44.9% | $21,869,116▲41.9% | 990 |
| 2016 | $18,954,146▲8.9% | $12,167,006▼14.0% | $14,111,719▲92.7% | $15,407,768▲80.3% | 990 |
| 2015 | $17,399,787▲92.4% | $14,143,724▲9.1% | $7,324,579▲80.0% | $8,543,490▲59.9% | 990 |
| 2014 | $9,043,967▼41.2% | $12,964,206▼1.1% | $4,068,516▼49.1% | $5,343,465▼41.7% | 990 |
| 2013 | $15,389,365 | $13,103,623▼2.0% | $7,988,755▲40.1% | $9,168,653▲28.0% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $13,370,732▲2.3% | $5,703,013▲14.4% | $7,160,534▲22.7% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $13,066,011▲18.2% | $4,984,430▼23.5% | $5,837,939▼25.2% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $11,053,021 | $6,511,948 | $7,804,954 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Highest-paid: Michael A Mcafee — $605,225 (1.36% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael A Mcafee | President and Ceo | 40 | $605,225 |
| Joshua F Kirschenbaum | Chief Adv. & S.i. Officer | 40 | $464,823 |
| Ashleigh G Gardere | Executive Vice President | 40 | $444,530 |
| Michael J Hassid | Chief Financial Officer | 39.95 | $419,347 |
| Jerry Maldonado | Vice President of Programs | 40 | $281,990 |
| Angela Glover Blackwell | Founder In Residence | 40 | $267,342 |
| Vanice Dunn | Vice President of Communications | 40 | $241,845 |
| Aria Florant | Senior Fellow | 40 | $211,297 |
| Jennifer E Thompson | Dir. of H.r. & Facilities | 40 | $211,074 |
| Mahlet Getachew | Managing Director | 40 | $206,276 |
| Josephine Wong | Chief Operating Officer | 40 | $201,791 |
| Judith W Dangerfield | Managing Director | 40 | $201,073 |
| Omar Stanton | Chief Impact Officer | 40 | $181,750 |
| Abigail J Langston | Vice President of Research | 40 | $161,916 |
| Darrick Hamilton | Director | 1 | — |
| Dolores Acevedo-garcia | Director | 1 | — |
| Geoffrey Canada | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Jeffrey L Bradach | Director | 1 | — |
| Kay Fernandez Smith | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Sandra Gasca-gonzalez | Director | 1 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Mckinsey & Company Inc | Consulting Services | $1,400,000 |
| The Bridgespan Group Inc | Consulting Services | $1,310,000 |
| Equity and Results Consulting LLC | Consulting Services | $1,036,609 |
| University of Southern Ca | Consulting Services | $850,000 |
| Cliftonlarsonallen LLP | Consulting Services | $703,637 |
147 grants to Policylink totaling $124.0M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jewish Communal Fund | In furtherance of grantee's tax-exempt purpose | 2024 | $5,850,000 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Community & human services | 2024 | $5,000,000 |
| Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc | General operating support and project support | 2024 | $909,500 |
| New Profit Inc | Program expansion | 2024 | $375,000 |
| New Venture Fund | Civil rights, social action, advocacy | 2024 | $277,000 |
| Silicon Valley Community Foundation | Civic participation | 2024 | $200,000 |
| Community Foundation For Greater Buffalo Inc | Charitable support. any restrictions have been communicated to the grantee. | 2024 | $120,000 |
| Impactassets Inc | General support | 2024 | $100,000 |
| Tides Foundation | Equity, human rights, and economic empowerment | 2024 | $30,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $19,531 |
| Blue Meridian Partners Inc | To support economic mobility | 2023 | $14,800,000 |
| Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund For Wealth Management Inc | Community & human services | 2023 | $6,610,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2023 | $3,050,000 |
| Jewish Communal Fund | In furtherance of grantee's tax-exempt purpose | 2023 | $1,566,000 |
| New Venture Fund | Environmental programs | 2023 | $750,000 |
92 grants totaling $9.3M in FY2023 — showing the 15 largest. All grants made by Policylink →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Liberation In A Generation Inc | Crosscutting strategies | $1,434,288 |
| Black Ambition Opportunity Inc | Crosscutting strategies | $1,393,887 |
| Ford Foundation | Crosscutting strategies | $829,466 |
| Coalicion De Coaliciones Pro Personas Sin Hogar De Puerto Rico | Thriving communities | $450,000 |
| The Good Nation Foundation Inc | Crosscutting strategies | $285,813 |
| Just Capital Foundation Inc | Equitable economy | $254,810 |
| Acce Institute | Thriving communities | $250,000 |
| Urban Institute | Flourishing democracy | $210,000 |
| Center For Community Change | Crosscutting strategies | $200,000 |
| Free Press | Crosscutting strategies | $175,000 |
| Northeastern University | Crosscutting strategies | $150,000 |
| Local Progress Policy Institute | Thriving communities | $150,000 |
| Acce Institute | Crosscutting strategies | $145,000 |
| Firstrepair | Crosscutting strategies | $130,000 |
| Get Free Movement Fund Inc | Crosscutting strategies | $127,500 |
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Data for Policylink (EIN 94-3297479) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.