National Civic League

Denver, CO · Founded 1992

Advances civic engagement and democratic innovation to create equitable, thriving communities across the United States

Primary audience
Communities and Leaders
Work area
Civic Engagement
Topic
Democratic Innovation
Contact
Doug Linkhart
Website Contact

About Organization

National Civic League promotes inclusive civic engagement and democratic innovations to make community decision-making more participatory, equitable, and effective. Based in Denver, CO, the organization operates with 13 employees and annual revenue of $1.2 million. Founded in 1992, the league works on issues including racial equity, health equity, youth leadership, education, and housing through enhanced civic participation.

What They Focus On

Democratic Innovation

Develops new methods for participatory decision-making that make democracy more accessible, equitable, and effective for all community members

Racial Equity

Centers racial justice in civic engagement work to ensure marginalized communities have meaningful voice in decisions affecting their lives

Community Leadership

Builds capacity of local leaders and organizations to foster inclusive civic participation and collaborative problem-solving in their communities

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$1.2M

+32.4% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$1.5M

+24.2% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$1.1M

-16.6% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

13

+44.4% vs 2023

Historical financial data from IRS Form 990
Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 $1,204,641 $1,465,260 $1,105,959 13
2023 $909,641 $1,179,568 $1,326,399 9
2022 $0 $607 — —
2022 $489,610 $807,734 $1,441,224 15
2020 $778,963 $571,122 $1,505,271 11
2018 $792,466 $804,662 $919,004 12

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Community Assessment

    Evaluate current civic engagement practices and identify opportunities for more inclusive democratic participation

  • 02

    Innovation Development

    Design participatory governance tools and processes tailored to community needs and equity goals

  • 03

    Implementation Support

    Provide training, technical assistance, and resources to help communities adopt inclusive engagement practices

  • 04

    Impact Recognition

    Celebrate and share successful civic engagement models to inspire broader democratic innovation nationwide

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by National Civic League

Democracy Innovation Center

Develops and promotes innovative approaches to democratic participation and community decision-making processes nationwide

All-America City Awards

Recognizes and celebrates communities that demonstrate exceptional civic engagement and collaborative problem-solving

Civic Engagement Training

Provides education and resources to community leaders on participatory governance and inclusive engagement strategies

Equity and Inclusion Initiatives

Advances racial and health equity through civic engagement approaches that center marginalized community voices

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind National Civic League.

Doug Linkhart

Doug Linkhart

President
Full-time
Compensation: $156,809
Matt Leighninger

Matt Leighninger

Vice President, National Civic League
Full-time
Compensation: $132,870
Rebecca Trout

Rebecca Trout

Senior Director, Programs and Partnerships
Full-time
Compensation: $111,000
Angela Montez

Angela Montez

Board Member
1 hrs/week
Ayeola Fortune

Ayeola Fortune

Board Member
1 hrs/week
Hon Johnny Dupree

Hon Johnny Dupree

Board Member
1 hrs/week
Maia Comeau

Maia Comeau

Board Member
1 hrs/week
Mary Ann Borgeson

Mary Ann Borgeson

Board Member
1 hrs/week
Monte Roulier

Monte Roulier

Board Member
1 hrs/week
Ray Baray

Ray Baray

Board Member
1 hrs/week
Rita McNeil Danish

Rita McNeil Danish

Board Member
1 hrs/week
Tc Broadnax

Tc Broadnax

Board Member
1 hrs/week
Todd Connor

Todd Connor

Board Member
1 hrs/week
Tony Peyton

Tony Peyton

Board Member
1 hrs/week
Wendy Willis

Wendy Willis

Board Member
1 hrs/week
Ibrahim Bazyan

Ibrahim Bazyan

Program Manager
Anna Corning

Anna Corning

Program Associate
Kathie Hamilton

Kathie Hamilton

Director
Mike McGrath

Mike McGrath

Director
Derek Okubo

Derek Okubo

Director
Mikayla Townsend

Mikayla Townsend

Program Manager
Nick Vlahos

Nick Vlahos

Managing Director
Jillian Youngblood

Jillian Youngblood

Director, Deliberative Democracy
Carolyn Lukensmeyer

Carolyn Lukensmeyer

Co-Director
Gretchen Armijo

Gretchen Armijo

Senior Fellow
Rick Garcia

Rick Garcia

Senior Fellow
Joseph Hoereth

Joseph Hoereth

Senior Fellow
Mike Huggins

Mike Huggins

Senior Fellow
Benoy Jacob

Benoy Jacob

Senior Fellow
Angela Lawson

Angela Lawson

Senior Fellow
Lindsay M. Miller

Lindsay M. Miller

Assistant Editor, National Civic Review
Kimberly L. Nelson

Kimberly L. Nelson

Senior Fellow
Larry Schooler

Larry Schooler

Senior Fellow
Diana Romero Campbell

Diana Romero Campbell

Chair
Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr

Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr

Vice Chair
Adam Carlisle

Adam Carlisle

Treasurer
Michelle Barsa

Michelle Barsa

Board Member
Charlotte Castillo

Charlotte Castillo

Board Member
Mayor John Dailey

Mayor John Dailey

Board Member
Mayor Malik D. Evans

Mayor Malik D. Evans

Board Member
Mayor Patti Garrett

Mayor Patti Garrett

Board Member (Former Chair)
Sara Gifford

Sara Gifford

Board Member
Michelle Gowdy

Michelle Gowdy

Board Member
Frederick J. Riley

Frederick J. Riley

Board Member
Irica Solomon

Irica Solomon

Board Member
Mayor Vince Williams

Mayor Vince Williams

Board Member
KH

Kathleen Hamilton

Director Of Operations And Finance
Full-time
Compensation: $81,000
AT

Angel Taveras

Member
1 hrs/week
AR

Angela Romas

Member
1 hrs/week
CC

Carolyn Coleman

Member
1 hrs/week
HJ

Heather Johnston

Member
1 hrs/week
HJ

Hon John Dailey

Member
1 hrs/week
HP

Hon Patti Garrett

Member
1 hrs/week
HR

Hon Ramiro Garza Jr

Member
1 hrs/week
JF

Joshua Franzel

Member
1 hrs/week
MC

Maia Cole

Member
1 hrs/week
OO

Onyeka Obiocha

Member
1 hrs/week
TC

Teree Caldwell

Member
1 hrs/week
VL

Valerie Lemmie

Member
1 hrs/week
VR

Vince R Williams

Member
1 hrs/week

Milestones

1992

Organization Founded

1992

National Civic League established to advance civic engagement and democratic innovation

1994

IRS Tax-Exempt Status

1994

Received federal recognition as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

2023

Staff Expansion

2023

Grew team by 44% to meet increasing demand for civic engagement services

2024

Revenue Milestone

2024

Reached $1.2 million in annual revenue with continued organizational growth

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AC
Adam Carlisle Treasurer 2.00 hrs/week
AS
Anthony Santiago Secretary 2.00 hrs/week
DR
Diana Romero-Campbell Vice Chair 2.00 hrs/week
HG
Hon Gt Bynum Chair 2.00 hrs/week
HM
Hon Malik D Evans Past-Chair 2.00 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$506K

Highest Paid

$165K

Doug Linkhart

Compensated Officers

4

Executive compensation for 2024
Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Doug Linkhart President $156,809 $8,014 $164,823 40
Matt Leighninger Director Center For Democracy Innovation $132,870 — $132,870 40
Rebecca Trout Director DC Office & All-America City $111,000 $7,861 $118,861 40
Kathleen Hamilton Director Of Operations And Finance $81,000 $8,151 $89,151 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Individual Political Donors

People from this organization who contributed to political campaigns

$925 Total Given
Democratic $925 (100%)
10 Contributions
$93 Avg Each

Top Individual Donors

3 Individual Donors
BA
Benita A Duran 2 contributions • $250 avg
$500
BD
Benita Duran 1 contribution • $250 avg
$250
Rebecca Trout
Rebecca Trout 7 contributions • $25 avg
$175

Quick Insights

🏆
Most Active Donor Rebecca Trout with 7 contributions
💰
Highest Avg per Contribution Benita A Duran at $250 each
🎯
Top Recipient JOE NEGUSE FOR CONGRESS — $500

Data from Federal Election Commission • Individual contributions only

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$168K

Total Forgiven

$169K

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

13

Loan Details 2 loans

$84,502
Forgiven
Forgiven: $85,138 100%
Approved Mar 3, 2021
Lender PNC Bank, National Association
Jobs Reported 6
Forgiven On Dec 1, 2021
$83,355
Forgiven
Forgiven: $83,982 100%
Approved Apr 29, 2020
Lender PNC Bank, National Association
Jobs Reported 7
Forgiven On Jan 28, 2021

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$15K Grants Received
1 Organizations

Top Funders

1 total
NF
Network For Good
$15K

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Contact

Get in touch with National Civic League

Phone

(303) 571-4343

Social

Visit Website
190 E 9th Avenue 440 Denver, CO 80203