named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Calyx Internet Membership
Membership program providing unlimited 4G/5G mobile internet in the U.S. and territories via hotspot devices or SIM cards, with tiered pricing and hardware premiums to support the organization’s mission.
CalyxOS
Privacy-focused Android-based operating system that replaces Google's services with open-source alternatives, includes built-in privacy tools like Signal, Tor, and a free VPN, and is available through the Phone Membership program.
Microgrants and Small Project Support
Past program providing low-overhead financial support for digital security and privacy projects, including the Fusion Center Research Fund which disbursed nearly $200,000 to study law enforcement intelligence-sharing centers.
Seedvault Backup
Open-source encrypted backup application for Android that allows users to store data locally or on self-hosted cloud platforms with client-side encryption and auto-restore functionality, sponsored by Calyx Institute.
Sepal Fund
Multi-year grant program offering unrestricted funding up to $50,000 annually for three years to small organizations and collectives working on digital security, privacy education, and software development aligned with Calyx’s mission.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Free and Open-Source Software Advocacy & Development 4 activities
- Conduct research and education initiatives on privacy-respecting technologyConducts research and educational programs in collaboration with community stakeholders to advance the development and adoption of privacy-respecting digital technologies.
- Develop and maintain CalyxOS, a privacy-focused open-source operating system for Android devicesDevelops, maintains, and distributes CalyxOS, a privacy-respecting Android-based operating system that replaces Google's proprietary services with open-source alternatives like microG and F-Droid, pre-installs privacy tools (Signal, Tor, DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser, K-9 Mail with OpenKeyChain), supports Yubikey for U2F, and provides regular security updates to address Android vulnerabilities.
- Produce educational content and host public events on digital privacy and securityProduces and publishes original documentation on online privacy and digital security, and hosts or participates in public forums and events to promote awareness and education around privacy-respecting technologies.
- Sponsor development and integration of privacy-enhancing softwareSponsors the development of Seedvault Backup, an open-source encrypted Android backup application, and integrates it into CalyxOS to enhance user data privacy and security.
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Nonprofit Retail and Merchandise Sales 1 activity
- Distribute privacy tools and devices, including CalyxOS phones and branded materialsDistributes CalyxOS phones to members in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada, and provides Calyx-branded apparel and stickers to all members as part of membership benefits.
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Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
- Fund digital privacy, internet freedom, and digital security initiatives through the Sepal FundProvides multi-year, unrestricted grants of up to $50,000 per year through the Sepal Fund to support small organizations, collectives, and individuals advancing internet freedom, digital security, privacy education, and software development; awarded grants to organizations including Library Freedom Project, CryptoHarlem, Abya Yala Network, and Open Archive.
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Community Broadband Infrastructure Development 1 activity
- Support community-owned internet infrastructure and technical trainingSupports the Abya Yala Network in building community-owned internet infrastructure and training individuals as system administrators to promote equitable and resilient digital connectivity.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Fund research and advocacy projects that advance digital privacy and freedom of expressionFunds research initiatives such as investigations into fusion centers’ impact on digital rights (disbursing nearly $200,000 in 2022) and supports the Center for Intimacy Justice’s research on censorship of women’s health content on major tech platforms, published in WIRED in 2025.
- Provide mobile internet access and hotspot devices through the Calyx Internet Membership programProvides unlimited 4G/5G mobile internet access via T-Mobile’s network to members across all U.S. states and territories, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; offers hotspot devices to Contributor, Contributor Plus, and Sustainer members, and provides SIM cards for BYOD members, with technical support coordinated through Mobile Citizen and T-Mobile.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$7.20M
Contributions & grants$6.90M96%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$300K4%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$6.61M
Program expenses79%
Admin / overhead16%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$2.55M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$9.33M
Cash$6.47M
Investments$2.32M
Liabilities$295K
Net assets$9.03M
Liquid reserves15.9 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +7.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nicholas Merrill | President | 32 | $256K |
| Eric Bortel | Engineering Director | 32 | $255K |
| Ellen McDermott | Interim Executive Director | 32 | $219K |
| Benjamin Knauss | Finance Director | 32 | $186K |
| Amy Colburn | Project Manager for Technical Programs | 32 | $179K |
board members · 4
- Ashi Krishnan — Director
- Carey Shenkman — Director
- Kobi Snitz — Director
- Liz O'Sullivan — Director
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- Abya Yala Network Partner — Collaborates to build community-owned internet infrastructure and support data sovereignty.
- Abya Yala Network Partner — Funded through the Sepal Fund to support autonomous and secure digital platforms developed and administered by communities.
- Abya Yala Network Partner — Recipient of Sepal Fund grant
- Calyx Institute Partner — Organization focused on defending digital privacy and advancing connectivity
- Center for Intimacy Justice Partner — Funded through the Discretionary Fund to support advocacy and research on censorship of women’s health information online.
- Communications Workers of America Local 1101 Partner — Represents Calyx Institute staff in collective bargaining.
- Convocation Research + Design Partner — Funded through the Discretionary Fund to support interdisciplinary research on cybersecurity, design, and human rights.
- CryptoHarlem Partner — Funded through the Sepal Fund to support community protection, digital justice, and cybersecurity for grassroots organizations.
- CryptoHarlem Partner — Recipient of Sepal Fund grant
- Fusion Center Fund Partner — Collaborates on funding initiatives for digital security and privacy projects.
- Library Freedom Project Partner — Funded through the Sepal Fund to support privacy-first tools and training for librarians advancing information democracy.
- Library Freedom Project Partner — Recipient of Sepal Fund grant
- Mobile Citizen Partner — Collaborates with Mobile Citizen to provide technical support for hotspot devices.
- Mobile Citizen Partner — Device supplier responsible for troubleshooting hardware issues, processing warranty returns, and coordinating with T-Mobile for network problems related to Calyx Institute's mobile hotspot program.
- NextCloud Partner — Compatible backup destination for Seedvault, enabling users to store encrypted backups on self-hosted cloud infrastructure.
- Open Archive Partner — Funded through the Sepal Fund to support privacy-first mobile archiving tools and community co-research on digital preservation.
- Open Archive Partner — Recipient of Sepal Fund grant
- PayPal Partner — Accepts payments through PayPal for membership enrollment.
- Riseup.net Partner — Provides free VPN service integration in CalyxOS.
- Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Partner — Funded through the Discretionary Fund to support legal advocacy against mass surveillance impacting marginalized communities.
- T-Mobile Partner — Provides network infrastructure for Calyx mobile internet service.
- T-Mobile Partner — Telecommunications provider looped in by Mobile Citizen to address local network issues affecting Calyx Institute's mobile hotspot service.
- The De|Center Partner — Funded through the Discretionary Fund to advance privacy and equity in technology through the Design from the Margins methodology.
- hosting providers Partner — Works with hosting providers on privacy and security initiatives
- internet service providers Partner — Collaborates with internet service providers on privacy and security initiatives
- telecommunications carriers Partner — Collaborates with telecommunications carriers on privacy and security initiatives
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Integrated Distribution of Privacy Tools and Accessmethodology: community_supported_privacyBy combining membership-based models with the distribution of privacy-focused tools and unmetered internet access, we promote digital inclusion and sustained engagement, because integrating access, education, and usable technology lowers barriers for high-risk and underserved users to adopt secure digital practices.
- Education-First Approach to Digital Security Empowermentmethodology: education_firstBy prioritizing education as the foundation of digital security adoption, we foster informed decision-making and long-term behavior change, because users who understand privacy threats and tools are more likely to adopt and sustain protective practices.
- Privacy-Respecting Technology Development and Deploymentmethodology: privacy_by_designBy developing and deploying privacy-enhancing technologies—such as free and open-source software (FOSS), privacy-hardened operating systems, and decentralized infrastructure—we advance digital civil liberties and protect free expression, because building privacy into technical systems from the ground up ensures long-term user autonomy and data dignity.
- Strategic Grantmaking to Strengthen Digital Privacy Ecosystemsmethodology: ecosystem_strengthening_grantmakingBy providing multi-year, low-overhead, and unrestricted funding alongside capacity-building support, we grow the resilience and reach of the digital privacy field, because sustained investment in people and organizations enables long-term innovation and systemic change in internet freedom.
- Targeted Design for High-Risk User Protectionmethodology: targeted_privacy_designBy designing privacy tools specifically for journalists, activists, and human rights defenders, we increase real-world security outcomes, because tailoring technology to the threat models of high-risk users ensures relevance, usability, and robust protection against surveillance.