Independence Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Independence Foundation is a private foundation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In tax year 2025 it gave $4.0 million in 223 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $200,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$4.0 million
- Number of grants223
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$200,000
- Assets$85.3 million
- New grantees8%
Giving in 2025 was up from $3.5 million the year before.
8% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $4.6 million | 417 | $84.5 million |
| 2023 | $3.7 million | 241 | $73.6 million |
| 2024 | $3.5 million | 234 | $77.9 million |
| 2025 | $4.0 million | 223 | $85.3 million |
How to apply
Independence Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Independence Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to Pennsylvania.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 213 | $3.9 million |
| New York | 3 | $54,000 |
| North Carolina | 2 | $10,000 |
| Alabama | 1 | $5,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $5,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $2,000 |
| Arizona | 1 | $1,000 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | $1,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Association of Non- Profit Organizations | Legal clearinghouse / policy coordination, nonprofit navigatore and operating support | $200,000 |
| Community Legal Services Inc | Public interest law fellowship | $185,318 |
| Individual | $115,000 | |
| Philadelphia Foundation | Immigrant and refugee emergency fund, philly gives, regional food fund | $95,000 |
| Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project | Public interest law fellowship | $89,984 |
| Friends of Farmworkers Inc | Public interest law fellowship | $87,468 |
| Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pa | General support | $81,000 |
| Pennsylvania Health Law Project | Public interest law fellowship | $80,928 |
| Pennsylvania Health Access Network | General support | $75,000 |
| Project Home | Healthcare services at stephen klein wellness center / hub for hope | $75,000 |
| Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates | General support | $70,000 |
| Community College of Philadelphia Foundation | Teaching nursing home project | $69,880 |
| Community Legal Services Inc | General support | $60,000 |
| Seniorlaw Center | General support / carie advocacy transition | $60,000 |
| Philabundance | General support / employee engagement | $57,500 |
| Legal Clinic for the Disabled Inc | General support w/ pulic interest law fellowship | $57,252 |
| Womens Law Project | Challenge grant for 50th anniversary of women's law project | $52,000 |
| LCH Health and Community Services | General support | $51,000 |
| Opera Philadelphia | General support | $50,000 |
| Prevention Point Philadelphia Incorporated | General support | $50,000 |
| Puentes de Salud | Puentes de salud health program | $50,000 |
| Seachange Capital Partners Inc | Nonprofit repositioning fund | $50,000 |
| United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey | Coordinated capacity strengthening initiative | $50,000 |
| Zoological Society of Philadelphia | General support | $50,000 |
| American Civil Liberties Foundation of Pennsylvania Inc | Public interest law fellowship | $46,578 |
| Nationalities Service Center of Philadelphia | Public interest law fellowship | $44,040 |
| Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center Inc | Public interest law fellowship | $39,374 |
| Integrate for Good Inc | General support / jimenez stratesies' 2026 tech and fundraising boot camp | $35,000 |
| Legal Aid Southeastern Pennsylvania Inc | General support | $35,000 |
| Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center Inc | General support / senior attorney sabbatical program | $35,000 |
| The Foundation for Delaware County | Pa fire | $35,000 |
| Regional Housing Legal Services | General support | $32,000 |
| Students Run Philly Style | General support / challenge grant | $32,000 |
| Share Food Program Inc | Delaware county food bank | $26,000 |
| Canine Partners for Life | General support | $25,000 |
| Carpenters Company of the City and County of Philadelphia | Challenge grant for young people's continental congress | $25,000 |
| Children First Pa | Behavioral health services for children | $25,000 |
| Community College of Philadelphia Foundation | 19130 zip code project | $25,000 |
| Fringearts | General support | $25,000 |
| Juvenile Law Center | General support | $25,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Reginald Shuford
- Susan E Sherman Severence
- Catherine C Carr
- Derick Dreher
- Vik Dewan
- Loree Jones
- David Logan
- Joyce Wilkerson
Questions people ask
Does Independence Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Independence Foundation give?
$4.0 million in tax year 2025, across 223 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs Independence Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Reginald Shuford (President, Ceo), Susan E Sherman Severence (Former President, Ceo), Catherine C Carr (Vice President) and Derick Dreher (Secretary) among 8 officers and trustees.
What does Independence Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly health, arts and culture and youth programs.