Search For Common Ground

Washington, DC · Founded 1982

Transforming global conflict through cooperative dialogue and collaborative peacebuilding solutions

Primary audience

Conflict-affected communities

Work area

Conflict resolution

Topic

Peace and dialogue

Contact

Shamil Idriss

Website Contact

About Organization

Search For Common Ground works internationally to transform violent conflict into lasting peace through dialogue and cooperation. Based in Washington, DC, the organization operates in over 30 countries with 119 employees and generated $40.9 million in revenue in 2024. Founded in 1982, it bridges dividing lines through programs that humanize opposing groups and build collaborative solutions.

What They Focus On

Conflict Transformation

Shifting communities from adversarial approaches to cooperative problem-solving through dialogue, mediation, and collaborative initiatives

Democracy and Rights

Strengthening political processes, civil society advocacy, and social action to support inclusive governance and human rights

International Development

Building peace and stability in conflict-affected regions worldwide through community mobilization and institutional change

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$40.9M

+18.2% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$45.5M

+22.8% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$18.1M

-32.9% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

119

-3.3% vs 2023

Historical financial data from IRS Form 990
Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Employees
2024	$40,907,415	$45,526,834	$18,127,415	119
2023	$34,618,544	$37,087,773	$27,012,174	123
2022	$37,845,702	$40,150,110	$12,996,715	93
2020	$28,415,966	$26,507,580	$12,980,849	96
2019	$23,226,172	$26,320,668	$10,742,118	96
2018	$29,692,583	$22,557,760	$38,755,297	104

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

01

Humanize Divisions

Bring divided people together through shared interests and pursuits to reduce dehumanization
02

Mobilize Communities

Organize people around shared concerns and aspirations to build momentum for change
03

Systematize Cooperation

Transform institutions and cultural norms to embed collaborative approaches into society
04

Sustain Peace

Monitor progress and adapt strategies to ensure lasting stability and conflict resolution

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Search For Common Ground

Peacebuilding Dialogues

Facilitates dialogue between divided communities to find common ground and reduce violent conflict through collaborative problem-solving

Digital Peacebuilding

Uses media and technology platforms to counter hate speech, promote tolerant narratives, and build peace across digital spaces

Conflict Transformation Training

Trains local leaders, institutions, and communities in cooperative conflict resolution approaches to systematize peaceful change

Democracy and Governance

Strengthens political processes and civil society to support inclusive governance and reduce political violence

Community Health Initiatives

Addresses health-related conflicts and promotes collaboration between communities and health systems for better outcomes

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Search For Common Ground.

Shamil Idriss

Chief Executive Officer

Full-time

Compensation: $328,557

Rebecca Besant

Chief of Staff

Full-time

Compensation: $181,980

Kara Schectman

Director of Marketing

Full-time

Compensation: $151,907

Wasim Khan

VP, Finance

Full-time

Compensation: $209,302

Michael Shipler

VP, Leadership Development & Partnerships

Full-time

Compensation: $180,375

Hilde Deman

Executive Director, Brussels

Nealin Parker

Executive Director, Common Ground USA

Francis Sala-Diakanda

VP, Global Programs

Rajendra Mulmi

Regional Director, Africa

Naglaa Elhag

Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa & Asia

Adrienne Lemon

Senior Director, Strategy

Jack Farrell

Global Director of Communications

Marjorie Williams

President

Full-time

Compensation: $307,728

Lena Slachmuijlder

Executive Director - Digital Peacebuilding

Full-time

Compensation: $233,994

Jennifer Parker

Director CG USA

Full-time

Compensation: $209,832

Jean-Michel Texier

Global Director, IT

Full-time

Compensation: $178,590

Maritza Mejia

Director, Development

Full-time

Compensation: $155,030

Michael Watt

VP, Global Programs

Full-time

Compensation: $207,014

Jacqueline Oburu

VP, People and Culture

Full-time

Compensation: $182,040

Michael Jobbins

VP, Global Affairs and Partnerships

Full-time

Compensation: $166,378

Milestones

1982

Organization Founded

1982

Search For Common Ground established to pioneer cooperative conflict resolution approaches

November 1982

IRS Recognition

November 1982

Received 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service

2019

Revenue Growth Begins

2019

Revenue increased from $23.2 million, marking start of significant organizational expansion

2022

Peak Revenue Year

2022

Organization reached $37.8 million in revenue, reflecting expanded global programming reach

2024

Record Revenue

2024

Achieved $40.9 million in revenue with 119 employees across international operations

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

Abigail Disney Board Member

Adam Forest Berrey Board Member

Elizabeth Riker Board Member

Genghis Hadi Board Member

Ingrid Stange Board Member

Isameldein Ghanim Board Member

Jason Petty Board Member

Jeremy Goldberg Board Member

Karen Karniol-Tambour Board Member

Kathleen Cravero Board Member

Laurie Franz Board Member

Laurie Michaels Board Member

Leslie Black Board Member

Lisa Kadin Board Member

Mark Chandler Board Member (as of 2/24)

Sarah Green Board Member

Timothy Feige Board Member

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$2.9M

Highest Paid

$336K

Shamil Idriss

Compensated Officers

Executive compensation for 2024
Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Shamil Idriss	CEO	$328,557	$7,897	$336,454	40
Marjorie Williams	President	$307,728	$6,350	$314,078	40
Lena Slachmuijlder	Executive Director - Digital Peacebuilding	$233,994	$29,211	$263,205	40
Wasim Khan	VP, Finance	$209,302	$35,560	$244,862	40
Michael Watt	VP, Global Programs	$207,014	$16,042	$223,056	40
Jennifer Parker	Director Cg USA	$209,832	$6,756	$216,588	40
Rebecca Besant	Senior Director, Program Effectiveness	$181,980	$25,694	$207,674	40
Jean-Michel Texier	Global Director, IT	$178,590	$28,475	$207,065	40
Jacqueline Oburu	VP, People And Culture	$182,040	$24,413	$206,453	40
Michael Shipler	VP, Strategy	$180,375	$9,734	$190,109	40
Michael Jobbins	VP, Global Affairs And Partnerships	$166,378	$13,781	$180,159	40
Maritza Mejia	Director, Development	$155,030	$11,074	$166,104	40
Kara Schectman	Director, Marketing	$151,907	$8,822	$160,729	40

Executive compensation for 2023
Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Shamil Idriss	CEO- Executive	$312,900	$7,976	$320,876	40
Marjorie Williams	President (As Of 01/16/23)	$288,333	$975	$289,308	40
Lena Slachmuijlder	SR. Vice President, Programs	$253,481	$25,543	$279,024	40
Wasim Khan	Vice President Of Finance	$207,461	$26,132	$233,593	40
Jacqueline Oburu	Vice President, HR & Admin	$185,436	$22,420	$207,856	40
Jennifer Parker	Director Cg USA	$197,950	$6,756	$204,706	40
Jean-Michel Texier	Global Director, IT	$177,174	$25,535	$202,709	40
Michael Shipler	Vice President, Strategy	$173,297	$23,640	$196,937	40
Rebecca Besant	Regional DIR., Cntrl And East	$172,468	$23,371	$195,839	40
Michael Jobbins	Vice President, Global Affairs	$159,311	$12,445	$171,756	40

Executive compensation for 2022
Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Shamil Idriss	CEO-Executive	$298,000	$7,689	$305,689	40
Lena Slachmuijlder	SR. Vice President, Programs	$244,507	$18,615	$263,122	40
Wasim Khan	Vice President Of Finance	$195,718	$30,982	$226,700	40
Jacqueline Oburu	Vice President, HR & Admin	$174,940	$21,359	$196,299	40
Jean-Michel Texier	Global Director, IT	$167,145	$23,923	$191,068	40
Jennifer Parker	Exe. DIR. Common Ground USA	$185,000	$1,170	$186,170	40
Michael Shipler	Vice President, Strategy	$163,488	$22,635	$186,123	40
Rebecca Besant	Regional Director, East Africa	$160,483	$23,489	$183,972	40
Michael Jobbins	Vice President, Global Affairs	$150,293	$10,545	$160,838	40
Isameldein Ghanim	President (Thru 2/7/22)	$49,543	$1,034	$50,577	40

Executive compensation for 2020
Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Isameldein Ghanim	President	$285,000	$31,072	$316,072	40
Shamil Idriss	CEO-Executive	$240,000	$6,393	$246,393	40
Lena Slachmuijlder	Vice President, Programs	$226,720	$16,966	$243,686	40
Wasim Khan	Vice President Of Finance	$181,480	$27,900	$209,380	40
Jacqueline Oburu	Vice President, HR & Admin	$162,214	$18,458	$180,672	40
Rebecca Besant	Regional Director, East Africa	$154,290	$23,867	$178,157	40
Jean M Texier	Global Director, IT	$153,500	$22,464	$175,964	40
Michael Shipler	Vice President, Strat. & Prog.	$150,933	$19,895	$170,828	40
Michael Jobbins	Vice President, Global Affairs	$139,360	$9,743	$149,103	40
Bradley Fondak	Senior Manager Hq Operation	$105,040	$13,120	$118,160	40
Adrienne Lemon	Director, Inst Learning Team	$107,120	$8,996	$116,116	40

Executive compensation for 2019
Name	Title	Base	Other	Total	Hrs/Wk
Isameldein Ghanim	President	$285,000	$23,030	$308,030	40
Shamil Idriss	CEO-Executive	$240,000	$4,750	$244,750	40
Lena Slachmuijlder	Vice President, Programs	$218,000	$12,403	$230,403	40
Wasim Khan	Vice President Of Finance	$174,500	$23,902	$198,402	40
Carl Davis	Vice President, Develop. & Com	$185,000	$9,984	$194,984	40
Michael Shipler	Vice President, Strat. & Prog.	$139,200	$16,129	$155,329	40
Michael Jobbins	Vice President, Global Affairs	$134,000	$7,636	$141,636	40
Rebecca Besant	Regional Director, East Africa	$136,000	$3,400	$139,400	40
Jacqueline Oburu	Vice President, HR & Admin	$115,563	$8,062	$123,625	40
Adrienne Lemon	Director, Inst. Learning Team	$105,307	$2,632	$107,939	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

$4K Total Given

Democratic $4,269 (100%)

33 Contributions

$129 Avg Each

Top Individual Donors

5 Individual Donors

James Harris 12 contributions • $250 avg

$3,000

Bryan Weiner 2 contributions • $250 avg

$500

Maritza Mejia-Wilson 17 contributions • $19 avg

$321

Maria Grant 1 contribution • $250 avg

$250

Mike Jobbins 1 contribution • $198 avg

$198

Quick Insights

🏆

Most Active Donor Maritza Mejia-Wilson with 17 contributions

💰

Highest Avg per Contribution James Harris at $250 each

🎯

Top Recipient ACTBLUE — $1,900

Data from Federal Election Commission • Individual contributions only

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$934K

Total Forgiven

$942K

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

Loan Details 1 loan

$934,407

Forgiven

Forgiven: $941,729 100%

Approved May 20, 2020

Lender Bank of America, National Association

Jobs Reported 77

Forgiven On Mar 3, 2021

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

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$2.6M Grants Received

$2.3M Grants Given

19 Organizations

Top Funders

11 total

Skoll Fund Co Silicon Valley Community Foundation

$515K

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc.

$500K

Tides Foundation 2 grants

$475K

National Democratic Institute For

$367K

New Venture Fund

$320K

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund

$174K

Tides Center 2 grants

$160K

Family Health International Inc

$31K

Impactassetsinc

$31K

America's Charities

$30K

+1 more funders

Top Grantees

8 total

American Bar Association Chicago, IL

$1.6M

Multi-Faith Neighbors Network Keller, TX

$296K

Everyday Peace Indicators Arlington, VA

$141K

American University Washington, DC

$124K

Grameen Foundation USA Washington, DC

$88K

Plessy & Ferguson Initiative New Orleans, LA

$35K

How To Build Up Inc. San Francisco, CA

$20K

Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice San Diego, CA

$13K

Skoll Fund Co Silicon Valley Community Foundation Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc. Tides Foundation National Democratic Institute For New Venture Fund Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Tides Center Family Health International Inc Impactassetsinc America's Charities Innovations For Poverty Action American Bar Association Multi-Faith Neighbors Network Everyday Peace Indicators American University Grameen Foundation USA Plessy & Ferguson Initiative How To Build Up Inc. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice

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

Contact

Get in touch with Search For Common Ground

Phone

(202) 265-4300

Social

Visit Website

1730 Rhode Island Ave NW 1101 Washington, DC 20036

Search For Common Ground

What They Focus On

Financial Information

How They Work

Humanize Divisions

Mobilize Communities

Systematize Cooperation

Sustain Peace

Programs and Initiatives

Peacebuilding Dialogues

Digital Peacebuilding

Conflict Transformation Training

Democracy and Governance

Community Health Initiatives

Team & Leadership

Shamil Idriss

Rebecca Besant

Kara Schectman

Wasim Khan

Michael Shipler

Hilde Deman

Nealin Parker

Francis Sala-Diakanda

Rajendra Mulmi

Naglaa Elhag

Adrienne Lemon

Jack Farrell

Marjorie Williams

Lena Slachmuijlder

Jennifer Parker

Jean-Michel Texier

Maritza Mejia

Michael Watt

Jacqueline Oburu

Michael Jobbins

Milestones

Organization Founded

IRS Recognition

Revenue Growth Begins

Peak Revenue Year

Record Revenue

Associated People

Board of Directors

Executive Compensation

Individual Political Donors

Top Individual Donors

Quick Insights

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Loan Details 1 loan

Partners & Funders

Top Funders

Top Grantees

Related Organizations

Tax-Exempt Affiliates

Contact

Phone

Social