Funders › Pennsylvania

Independence Foundation

Philadelphia, PA · EIN 23-1352110. Reported 1,444 grants totalling $19.4M to 288 recipients across tax years 2021-2025. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$10,000median grant
$19.4Mgranted, 2021-2025
288recipients, as named on its returns
89%of grantees funded again the next year
$85.3Massets, latest filing

Does this foundation accept applications?

Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Independence Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $10,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $15,000; the smallest was $490 and the largest $200,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

Under $1,000
14 grants
$1,000 - $5,000
221 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
480 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
499 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
146 grants
$50,000 - $100,000
80 grants
$100,000 and Up
4 grants

Every organization it funded

288 recipient names appear in its filings; the 250 largest are listed here. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
Community Legal Services IncPhiladelphia, PA$1,053,9412552025
Project HomePhiladelphia, PA$684,5002152025
Philadelphia Mural Arts AdvocatesPhiladelphia, PA$590,5002152025
Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center IncPhiladelphia, PA$435,8781552025
Planned Parenthood Southeastern PaPhiladelphia, PA$435,5001352025
Pennsylvania Health Access NetworkPhiladelphia, PA$400,000652025
PhilabundancePhiladelphia, PA$385,0001152025
Hias and Council Migration Service of Philadelphia IncPhiladelphia, PA$363,3601952025
Share Food Program IncPhiladelphia, PA$363,2041552025
Pennsylvania Institutional Law ProjectPhiladelphia, PA$351,0861452025
Legal Aid Southeastern Pennsylvania IncNorristown, PA$296,7101252025
Nationalities Service Center of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA$293,0521152025
Support Center for Child AdvocatesPhiladelphia, PA$269,6161552025
Pennsylvania Health Law ProjectPhiladelphia, PA$269,103952025
American Civil Liberties Foundation of Pennsylvania IncPhiladelphia, PA$265,9641052025
Friends of Farmworkers IncPhiladelphia, PA$265,3051152025
Lch Health and Community ServicesKennett Sq, PA$263,000652025
Opera PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA$250,000552025
Zoological Society of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA$248,000952025
Prevention Point Philadelphia IncorporatedPhiladelphia, PA$245,000652025
Community College of Philadelphia FoundationPhiladelphia, PA$238,000852025
Legal Clinic for the Disabled IncPhiladelphia, PA$235,8321152025
Seniorlaw CenterPhiladelphia, PA$225,3361152025
Education Law Center - PaPhiladelphia, PA$218,5381552025
The Public Interest Law CenterPhiladelphia, PA$216,044952025
Arden Theatre CompanyPhiladelphia, PA$205,0001852025
Center for the Advocacy for the Rights & Interests of the ElderlyPhiladelphia, PA$200,000442024
Pennsylvania Association of Non- Profit OrganizationsHarrisburg, PA$200,000112025
Regional Housing Legal ServicesGlenside, PA$198,442952025
Womens Law ProjectPhiladelphia, PA$193,7501052025
Womens Center of Montgomery CountyColmar, PA$191,6451352025
Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships IncPhiladelphia, PA$185,5001052025
FringeartsPhiladelphia, PA$164,0001352025
Students Run Philly StylePhiladelphia, PA$158,0001152025
Integrate for Good IncCreamery, PA$153,2521252025
Puentes De SaludPhiladelphia, PA$150,000442025
Southeast Asian Maa Coalition IncPhiladelphia, PA$150,000952025
Peoples Emergency CenterPhiladelphia, PA$149,2891022022
Pennsylvania Ballet AssociationPhiladelphia, PA$145,000652025
Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition AlliancePhiladelphia, PA$144,310952025
Canine Partners for LifeCochranville, PA$126,000552025
Planned Parenthood KeystoneWarminster, PA$125,000552025
Fellowship PaymentsPhiladelphia, PA$117,001112024
Juvenile Law CenterPhiladelphia, PA$115,000652025
Mann Center for the Performing ArtsPhiladelphia, PA$115,000552025
The Food TrustPhiladelphia, PA$115,000552025
Rosenbach Museum and LibraryPhiladelphia, PA$113,7501052025
Pennsylvanians for Modern CourtsPhiladelphia, PA$105,000552025
Public Citizens for Children and YouthPhiladelphia, PA$100,000212021
Philadelphia FoundationPhiladelphia, PA$95,000112025
The Free Library of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA$92,5001952025
Pig Iron Theatre Company IncPhiladelphia, PA$90,000752025
Broad Street MinistryPhiladelphia, PA$89,000952025
The Visiting Nurse Association of Greater PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA$85,000322022
Jewish Healthcare Foundation of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA$80,000552025
Philadelphia Lawyers for Social EquityPhiladelphia, PA$80,000752025
Clay StudioPhiladelphia, PA$77,500752025
Greater Philadelphia Cultural AlliancePhiladelphia, PA$77,000752025
Carpenters Company of the City and County of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA$75,000332025
Children First PaPhiladelphia, PA$75,000332025
Cradles to Crayons IncNewton, PA$75,000742025
Esperanza Immigration Legal ServicesPhiladelphia, PA$75,000652025
Philadelphia Orchestra AssociationPhiladelphia, PA$75,000552025
Resources for Human Development IncPhiladelphia, PA$75,000332023
Swarthmore CollegeSwarthmore, PA$75,000552025
AIDS Law Project of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA$70,000652025
Pennsylvania Horticultural SocietyPhiladelphia, PA$67,0001052025
New Leash on Life USAPenn Valley, PA$65,500852025
Liveconnections OrgPhiladelphia, PA$65,000652025
Your Agency IncorporatedPhiladelphia, PA$62,500422025
First Person Arts IncPhiladelphia, PA$60,000952025
Lantern Theater CompanyPhiladelphia, PA$60,000752025
The Committee of SeventyPhiladelphia, PA$60,000652025
Vna Community Services IncAbington, PA$60,000322023
Enchantment Theatre CompanyPhiladelphia, PA$59,000852025
BalletxPhiladelphia, PA$57,000552025
Partners for Sacred Places IncPhiladelphia, PA$55,000752025
Penns VillagePhiladelphia, PA$55,000652025
Pennsylvania Innocence ProjectPhiladelphia, PA$55,000752025
Wilma Theater IncPhiladelphia, PA$55,000552025
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site IncPhiladelphia, PA$53,500752025
The Scribe Video Center IncPhiladelphia, PA$53,000442025
United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New JerseyPhiladeplhia, PA$53,000222025
Youth Sentencing & Reentry Project IncPhiladelphia, PA$53,000852025
1812 Productions IncPhiladelphia, PA$52,500552025
Bethesda ProjectPhiladelphia, PA$51,000552025
Network for New MusicPhiladelphia, PA$51,000552025
Philadelphia Young PlaywrightsPhiladelphia, PA$51,000552025
AchieveabilityPhiladelphia, PA$50,000652025
Artreach IncPhiladelphia, PA$50,000552025
Bristol Riverside Theater Co IncBristol, PA$50,000552025
Ch Pennsylvania Under - 21Philadelphia, PA$50,000552025
Chester County Food BankExton, PA$50,000552025
Consumer Bankruptcy Assistance Project IncPhiladelphia, PA$50,000552025
Disability Rights PennsylvaniaHarrisburg, PA$50,000552025
Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County IncMedia, PA$50,000552025
Domestic Violence Center of Chester CountyWest Chester, PA$50,000552025
Episcopal Community Services of the Diocese of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA$50,000552025
Habitat for Humanity International IncPhiladelphia, PA$50,000552025
Homeless Advocacy ProjectPhiladelphia, PA$50,000552025
Housing Alliance of PennsylvaniaJenkintown, PA$50,000552025
Interact IncPhiladelphia, PA$50,000552025
Montgomery Child Advocacy ProjectNorristown, PA$50,000552025
Network of Victim AssistanceJamison, PA$50,000552025
Peoples Light & Theatre CoMalvern, PA$50,000552025
Philadelphia Vip IncPhiladelphia, PA$50,000552025
Seachange Capital Partners IncNew York, NY$50,000112025
Theatre HorizonNorristown, PA$50,000552025
Walnut Street Theatre CorpPhiladelphia, PA$50,000552025
Women Against Abuse IncPhiladelphia, PA$50,000552025
Womens Resource CenterWayne, PA$50,000552025
HopephlPhiladelphia, PA$48,163432025
Why Not Prosper IncPhiladelphia, PA$48,000852025
Taller Puertorriqueno IncPhiladelphia, PA$47,500652025
Theatre Exile CoPhiladelphia, PA$47,500652025
Beyond the Bars IncPhiladelphia, PA$45,000652025
Deaf-Hearing Communication Center IncSwarthmore, PA$45,000652025
Pennsylvania Prison SocietyPhiladelphia, PA$45,000652025
Youth Empowerment for Advancement HangoutPhiladelphia, PA$45,000652025
Act II Playhouse LtdAmbler, PA$42,500652025
Center for Reproductive Rights IncNew York, NY$40,000442024
Howard UniversityWashington, DC$40,000222022
Quest Therapeutic Services IncWest Chester, PA$40,000652025
Movement Alliance ProjectPhiladelphia, PA$38,500752025
Ardellas House IncPhiladelphia, PA$37,500652025
Christ the King Deaf ChurchWest Chester, PA$37,500652025
Face to FacePhiladelphia, PA$37,500332025
People Advancing Reintegration IncPhiladelphia, PA$37,500652025
Culturetrust Greater PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA$35,5001152025
Al-Bustan Seeds of CulturePhiladelphia, PA$35,000652025
Neighbors Helping Neighbors on the Main LineWynnewood, PA$35,000652025
The Foundation for Delaware CountyMedia, PA$35,000112025
VisionlinkPhiladelphia, PA$35,000442025
Urban CreatorsPhiladelphia, PA$31,000752025
Chester Eastside IncChester, PA$30,500752025
Intercultural JourneysPhiladelphia, PA$30,500752025
American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania ChapterPhiladelphia, PA$30,000652025
Azuka Theatre CollectivePhiladelphia, PA$30,000652025
Center for the Blind and Visually ImpairedChester, PA$30,000652025
Community Youth and Womens Alliance IncCoatesville, PA$30,000652025
Conservation Center for Art and Historic ArtifactsPhiladelphia, PA$30,000652025
Cosacosa Art at Large IncPhiladelphia, PA$30,000652025
Cradles to Crayons IncNewton, MA$30,000212023
Friends Association for Care & Protection of ChildrenWest Chester, PA$30,000652025
Handi-Crafters IncThorndale, PA$30,000652025
Hedgerow Theatre IncRose Valley, PA$30,000652025
Hope Springs Equestrian Therapy IncChester Springs, PA$30,000652025
Inis Nua Theatre CompanyPhiladelphia, PA$30,000652025
Lutheran Social Mission Society of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA$30,000652025
Manna on Main StreetLansdale, PA$30,000652025
Mighty WritersPhiladelphia, PA$30,000652025
Montgomery Theater IncSouderton, PA$30,000652025
Multicultural Community Family Services IncUpper Darby, PA$30,000652025
Neighborhood Gardens TrustPhiladelphia, PA$30,000652025
New Paradise Laboratories Theatre IncPhiladelphia, PA$30,000652025
Norristown Zoological SocietyNorristown, PA$30,000652025
Philadelphia Folklore ProjectPhiladelphia, PA$30,000652025
Philadelphia Theatre CompanyPhiladelphia, PA$30,000652025
Rolling Harvest Food RescueLumberville, PA$30,000652025
Sankofa Healing StudioPhiladelphia, PA$30,000652025
Smith Memorial PlaygroundsPhiladelphia, PA$30,000652025
Sparc ServicesPhiladelphia, PA$30,000652025
Special EquestriansWarrington, PA$30,000652025
Supportive Older Womens NetworkPhiladelphia, PA$30,000332023
The Ivins Outreach CenterMorrisville, PA$30,000652025
The Village Arts and HumanitiesPhiladelphia, PA$30,000652025
Theatre PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA$30,000652025
Ego PoPhiladelphia, PA$28,000652025
The Center for Emerging Visual Artists LtdPhiladelphia, PA$28,000652025
Books Through BarsPhiladelphia, PA$25,000542025
Lyric FestPhiladelphia, PA$25,000222023
Norris Square Neighborhood ProjectPhiladelphia, PA$25,000442025
Painted Bride Art Center IncPhiladelphia, PA$25,000952025
Philadelphia Youth for ChangePhiladelphia, PA$25,000112025
The Fund for the School District of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA$25,000112023
Urban Affairs CoalitionPhiladelphia, PA$24,500422022
Spiral Q Puppet TheaterPhiladelphia, PA$23,000752025
Neighborhood Land Power ProjectPhiladelphia, PA$22,500332025
Team Sunshine Performance CorporationPhiladelphia, PA$22,000652025
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish HistoryPhiladelphia, PA$21,000442025
Bearded Ladies CabaretPhiladelphia, PA$20,000442025
Bernardine Franciscan SistersReading, PA$20,000432023
Community Action Agency of Delaware County IncUppr Chichstr, PA$20,000442025
ConnectedlyPhiladelphia, PA$20,000222025
Doing Good Well IncPhiladelphia, PA$20,000112025
Episcopal AcademyNewtown Sq, PA$20,000442025
Family Promise Montco PaAmbler, PA$20,000442025
Family Service of Chester CountyWest Chester, PA$20,000442025
Villanova UniversityVillanova, PA$20,000442025
Community Food Bank of New Jersey Inc- Southern BranchEgg Harbor Township, NJ$19,000222022
Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and SciencesLoveladies, NJ$19,000222022
Academy of Natural Sciences of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA$18,000552025
National Museum of American Jewish HistoryPhiladelphia, PA$17,500422022
Murphys Giving MarketUpper Darby, PA$17,000222025
Abortion Liberation Fund of PaPhiladelphia, PA$15,000332024
Antioch Christian FellowshipPhiladelphia, PA$15,000332025
Comm for Dignity & Fairness for the Homeless Housing Developement IncPhiladelphia, PA$15,000322022
Impact Services CorpPhiladelphia, PA$15,000322022
It Takes Philly Encouraging and Empowering Our Children to Aim HigJenkintown, PA$15,000432023
Making a Change GroupChester, PA$15,000332025
Sisters Returning HomePhiladelphia, PA$15,000322022
Spelman CollegeAtlanta, PA$15,000222025
Team Up PhillyNarberth, PA$15,000332025
The Bernardine CenterChester, PA$15,000222025
Trustees of the University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA$15,000112024
Uplift Solutions IncPhiladelphia, PA$15,000332025
Urban Tree ConnectionPhiladelphia, PA$15,000322022
Dare 2 Hope IncPhiladelphia, PA$14,000332025
Wooster Group IncNew York, NY$14,000552025
Simpatico TheatrePhiladelphia, PA$13,000322022
Everybody Eats Philly IncChester, PA$12,500422023
Generations on LinePhiladelphia, PA$12,000442024
The Philadelphia Education FundPhiladelphia, PA$12,000222022
Bebashi Transition to HopePhiladelphia, PA$11,000222024
11TH Hour Theatre CompanyPhiladelphia, PA$10,000212021
Academy of Vocal ArtsPhiladelphia, PA$10,000442024
Ann Silverman Community Health ClinicDoylestown, PA$10,000112022
Associated Services for the BlindPhiladelphia, PA$10,000212021
Center for Independent Documentary IncBoston, MA$10,000112022
Congreso De Latinos Unidos IncPhiladelphia, PA$10,000112021
Do Moore GoodPhiladelphia, PA$10,000112023
Headlong Dance TheaterPhiladelphia, PA$10,000212021
Inter-Faith Housing AllianceAmbler, PA$10,000212021
Kimmel Center IncPhiladelphia, PA$10,000112021
Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center of New York IncLong Beach, NY$10,000112023
NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund IncNew York, NY$10,000222022
Park Avenue Community Center IncSwarthmore, PA$10,000332025
Ready Willing & Able Philadelphia IncPhiladelphia, PA$10,000212021
Tricounty Community Network IncPottstown, PA$10,000112023
Wagner Free Institute of SciencePhiladelphia, PA$10,000552025
Whitney V HunterPhiladelphia, PA$10,000112023
Simpatico Theatre ProjectPhiladelphia, PA$9,000222025
Albert M Greenfield Home and School Association IncPhiladelphia, PA$8,500442024
Playpenn IncPhiladelphia, PA$7,500112022
Montgomery County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsConshohocken, PA$7,000222022
Spelman CollegeAtlanta, GA$7,000332023
Federation of Neighborhood Centers IncPhiladelphia, PA$6,000112023
Neighborhood Bike WorksPhiladelphia, PA$6,000552025
Philadelphia Museum of ArtPhiladelphia, PA$6,000332023
PhillykinderLansdowne, PA$6,000332023
Atlantic Center for Capital Representation IncPhiladelphia, PA$5,000112025
Beloit CollegeBeloit, WI$5,000552025
Burnett-Eaton Museum FoundationWilmington, NC$5,000112025
Camp Shohola Scholarship FundGreely, PA$5,000112022
Equal Justice InitiativeMontgomergy, AL$5,000112025
Foundation of Cognitive Therapy and ResearchBala Cynwyd, PA$5,000112024
Greater Philadelphia Young Mens Christian AssociationConshohocken, PA$5,000112021
Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Mid-Atlantic CommuMerion, PA$5,000112024
Justice in AgingWashington, DC$5,000112021
Lions Story VillagePhiladelphia, PA$5,000112025

225 of 288 (78%) received money in more than one year over the 5 years we hold.

Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 89%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is unusually consistent. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.

Plus 1 grants to individuals totalling $115,000 -- scholarships, hardship and emergency assistance. We deliberately do not publish the names of people who received them, even though the filings do.

What the money was for

Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 1,278 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.

Arts & Culture
373 grants
Human Services
257 grants
Crime & Legal
197 grants
Education
76 grants
Health Care
68 grants
Food & Nutrition
61 grants
Civil Rights
37 grants
Youth Development
36 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
2021417$4,572,503$5,000
2022330$3,806,401$10,000
2023241$3,659,419$10,000
2024234$3,538,692$10,000
2025222$3,845,806$10,000

Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.

Where its money goes

98% of its giving went to organizations in Pennsylvania. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.

Pennsylvania
$19.1M
New York
$136K
District of Columbia
$47K
Massachusetts
$41K
New Jersey
$38K
North Carolina
$10K
Georgia
$7K
Wisconsin
$5K

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Funders that support the same organizations

These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund167 shared recipientsVanguard Charitable Endowment Program161 shared recipientsThe Philadelphia Foundation159 shared recipientsThe William Penn Foundation140 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc137 shared recipientsNational Philanthropic Trust121 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $10,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Pennsylvania.
  3. Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
  4. Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.

Related guides

Foundations funding arts & culture in PennsylvaniaEvery funder in this groupFoundations funding human services in PennsylvaniaEvery funder in this groupFoundations funding education in PennsylvaniaEvery funder in this group

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from Independence Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2021-2025). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.

Address of record on the latest return: 200 South Broad Street 1101, Philadelphia, PA, 19102. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.

EIN 23-1352110 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email hello@funderscope.com and we will correct it.