irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.28MPROJECT LIBERTY INSTITUTE ORGANIZES AND PARTICIPATES IN REGULAR EVENTS, CONVENINGS AND EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGNS OF TECHNOLOGISTS, ETHICISTS, LEGAL EXPERTS, ENTREPRENEURS, SOCIAL INNOVATORS AND OTHER EXPERTS IN THE UNITED STATES, UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, AND ELSEWHERE TO FOSTER DIALOGUE AND DEVELOP COMPREHENSIVE RECOMMENDATIONS TO EXPLORE AND ADVANCE BETTER MODELS OF DIGITAL ECOSYSTEMS.PROJECT LIBERTY INSTITUTE CEASED OPERATIONS IN THE UK WITH THE TERMINATION OF ALL UK-BASED STAFF ON JANUARY 15, 2024. THEREAFTER, PLI CLOSED THE UK OFFICE AND WORKED TO DISSOLVE THE COMPANY. PL UK SERVICES LIMITED WAS OFFICIALLY DISSOLVED ON MAY 25, 2025.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Blockchain Governance Toolkit
Collaborative project with Blockchaingov to develop governance frameworks for decentralized systems, supporting responsible innovation in digital infrastructure.
Decentralized Social Networking Protocol (DSNP)
Open, decentralized protocol enabling user-controlled social data and interoperable digital identities, designed to prevent platform monopolies and support AI systems that respect user agency.
Digital Choice Act Advocacy
Policy initiative promoting data portability and interoperability in AI systems, resulting in enacted legislation in Utah, South Dakota, and Virginia, with similar efforts advancing globally.
Pro-Human AI Investment Initiative
Global effort engaging venture capital firms and limited partners to redirect capital toward trustworthy, human-centered AI technologies and business models, reaching over 200 investors managing $6 trillion in assets.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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AI Governance and Ethical Research 2 activities
- Advances human-centered digital policy and governanceLeads policy initiatives focused on enabling human agency and flourishing in the context of artificial intelligence; advances human-centered data governance and business models through strategic international initiatives; collaborates with governments and international organizations to shape improved digital systems for citizens.
- Conducts research on digital infrastructure and AI governanceConducted a year-long research initiative involving in-depth interviews and surveys with government officials in 13 middle-power countries; co-released a report on digital infrastructure and AI governance with the Global Solutions Initiative. Also designs governance frameworks for open protocols, including the Decentralized Social Networking Protocol (DSNP), in collaboration with Internet pioneers.
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Professional Association Capacity Building 1 activity
- Builds capacity through a global network for a people-centered internetOperates a network of over 200 organizations focused on advancing a people-centered internet; hosts monthly virtual pop-ups for members to present projects and conduct workshops; maintains a listserv for sharing updates and facilitates connections among member organizations to strengthen collaboration.
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Privacy-Preserving Cybersecurity & Data Collaboration 1 activity
- Develops decentralized digital infrastructure and consumer data solutionsSecures digital data for over 16 million individuals using Frequency, a decentralized infrastructure platform, and leads the development of consumer-facing solutions that enable individuals to have greater autonomy and control over their personal data.
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General Operating Support Grants 1 activity
- Funds research and educational initiatives on technology and societyAwarded $326,754 in grants for research and technology projects on societal impacts of technology in 2023 and $25,000 in grants for educational events and campaigns on digital ecosystems in 2024, as part of broader efforts to fund research and technology projects advancing public understanding of technology's impact on society.
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Leadership & Policy Dialogue Forums 1 activity
- Organizes events and convenings on digital ecosystems and AIHosts and co-hosts events in collaboration with partner organizations; convened over 60 participants including institutional investors, venture capital firms, family offices, and philanthropies to explore systemic investment approaches across the AI stack; organizes and participates in events, convenings, and educational campaigns with experts to develop recommendations for better digital ecosystem models.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Incubates new business and governance models for the data-driven economyLeads an international team developing and incubating new business and governance models aimed at increasing individual voice, choice, and stake in the data-driven economy.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$26.55M
Contributions & grants$10.93M41%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$-1960%
Other revenue$15.62M
expenses
Total expenses$6.07M
Program expenses51%
Admin / overhead47%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$1.90M
Grants paid out$285K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$7.47M
Cash$430K
Investments$0
Liabilities$26.21M
Net assets$-18.73M
Liquid reserves0.8 mo
3 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue +76.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES BELL | HEAD OF STRATEGIC INSIGHTS | 40 | $414K |
| ERIK SUHONEN - HEAD | OF ECOSYSTEM GROWTH (UNTIL 9/24) | 40 | $295K |
| JESSICA THEODULE | RESEARCH MANAGER OF STRAT. INSIGHTS | 40 | $183K |
| SARA WEKSELBLATT | FINANCE & HR SENIOR MANAGER | 40 | $166K |
| KILA ENGLEBROOK - HEAD OF | OPS/OFCR (FROM 4/24) (SEE SCH O) | 10 | $62K |
board members · 3
- ALBERTO BEECK — DIRECTOR
- FRANK MCCOURT — CHAIR
- MARIA CANCIAN — SECRETARY
relationships · 19
Who they work with
- DWeb Camp Partner — Drew inspiration from DWeb Camp's conduct guidelines in developing Project Liberty's Community Commitments.
- Decentralized Social Networking Protocol (DSNP) Partner — Drew inspiration from DSNP's code of conduct in developing Project Liberty's Community Commitments.
- Diginex Partner — Current board member of Diginex (NASDAQ: DGNX)
- European Commission Government — Sarah Nicole serves as an Expert Next Generation of Emerging and Critical Digital Technologies for the European Commission.
- Frequency.xyz Partner — Collaborates on the development and deployment of Frequency, a decentralized digital infrastructure platform.
- Global Solutions Initiative Partner — Collaborated on the research and co-release of a report on digital infrastructure and AI governance.
- ImpactVC Partner — Strategic partner collaborating with Project Liberty Institute to convene investors and shape a human-centered AI ecosystem.
- Lantos Foundation Partner — Current board member of the Lantos Foundation
- McCourt Global Partner — Joe Riley serves as Chief Financial and Operating Officer at McCourt Global, indicating an organizational leadership relationship.
- Meta Partner — Former employer where Jeb Bell served as inaugural Director of Global Policy Research.
- Mozilla Partner — Drew inspiration from Mozilla's participation policies in developing Project Liberty's Community Commitments.
- OECD Government — Sarah Nicole serves as a Point of contact Data Governance for the Internet Technical Advisory Committee at the OECD.
- PL UK Services Limited Partner — Former UK subsidiary that was dissolved on May 25, 2025, after termination of operations and staff on January 15, 2024.
- Pew Research Center Partner — Former employer where Jeb Bell served as Vice President of Global Strategy.
- Project Liberty Alliance Network — Project Liberty Institute leads and operates the Project Liberty Alliance as a member network.
- Reframe Venture Partner — Strategic partner co-convening institutional investors and stakeholders to explore systemic investment in a pro-human AI stack.
- U.S. State Department Government — Former employer where Jeb Bell directed the Office of Opinion Research.
- United Nations Partner — Organization to which Jeb Bell has served as an advisor.
- World Economic Forum Partner — Organization to which Jeb Bell has served as an advisor.
strategies · 4
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.
- Advancing Evidence-Based Digital Public Goodmethodology: evidence-based public educationBy conducting and funding interdisciplinary research and public education on digital governance, the organization shapes policy and ecosystem norms because robust, evidence-based understanding of technology’s societal impact leads to more effective and human-centered solutions.
- Collaborative Learning & Dialogue for Systemic Changemethodology: collaborative_learning_networkBy creating inclusive, curiosity-driven dialogue spaces and collaborative learning networks, the organization sustains engagement across diverse perspectives because these processes build mutual understanding and align individual goals with collective action toward a people-centered digital future.
- Human Agency-Centered Designmethodology: pro-human AI stack investmentBy investing in foundational layers of the AI and digital infrastructure stack—such as data governance, identity, and interoperability—the organization expands human agency, because empowering individuals at the systemic level enables more ethical, effective, and trustworthy technology adoption.
- Open-Infrastructure Sovereigntymethodology: open-infrastructure-sovereigntyBy building digital sovereignty through open standards, interoperability, and open-source technologies rather than closed, self-sufficient systems, the organization enables durable, user-controlled digital ecosystems because openness fosters innovation, trust, and long-term resilience.