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American Philosophical Society

Foundation · Grantmaker Philadelphia, PA EIN: 23-1353269 Website

The American Philosophical Society, the oldest learned society in the United States, was founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin for the purpose of "promoting useful knowledge." In the 21st century the Society sustains this mission in three principal ways. It honors and engages distinguished scientists, humanists, social scientists, and leaders in civic and cultural affairs through elected membership and opportunities for interdisciplinary, intellectual fellowship, particularly in the semi-annual Meetings in Philadelphia. It supports research and discovery through grants and fellowships, lectures, publications, prizes, exhibitions, and public education. It serves scholars through a research library of manuscripts and other collections internationally recognized for their enduring historic value. The American Philosophical Society's current activities reflect the founder's spirit of inquiry, provide a forum for the free exchange of ideas, and convey the conviction of its members that intel

Key facts about American Philosophical Society

In short: American Philosophical Society gave $15K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $15K), mostly in Connecticut. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.

EIN
23-1353269
Latest 990 filing
Form 990 filing, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$15,000
Grants made (2024)
1
Average grant
$15,000
Median grant
$15,000
Total assets
$310,248,157
Primary geography
Connecticut (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026.

Quick answers about American Philosophical Society

How much does American Philosophical Society give each year?

American Philosophical Society gave $15K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $15K across 1 grant.

How large is American Philosophical Society?

American Philosophical Society reported $310.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $20.4M.

How American Philosophical Society gives

  • Giving grew 100% from 2021 to 2024. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.

Next steps with American Philosophical Society

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing

Total Assets

$310.2M

+6.2% YoY

Annual Giving

$15K

+0.0% YoY

Grant Count

1

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$15K

+0.0% YoY

About American Philosophical Society

Based on IRS filings

American Philosophical Society is a nonprofit organization focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Philadelphia, PA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $310.2M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $15K. Net investment income was $16.9M.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of all 1 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

Cities

New Haven

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$10M$20M$30M$40M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$310,248,157$292,035,358$267,448,047
Revenue$20,391,804$13,318,942$12,299,474
Expenses$15,571,638$14,213,316$13,165,105
Qualifying Distributions———
Net Investment Income$16,906,951$9,353,380$5,717,725
Distributable Amount———

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$5K$10K$15K1 grants20201 grants20211 grants20221 grants20231 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 1 recipients in 2024

The Papers of Benjamin Franklin: $15KThe Papers of BenjaminFranklin$15K

Grant Size Distribution

5 grants across all recorded years

5<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Open Grants

25 open opportunities from American Philosophical Society

Show all 25 →

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
The Papers of Benjamin Franklin New Haven, CTFranklin Papers Project$15,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

American Philosophical Society is led by Patrick Spero, CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 9 of 43 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Patrick Spero

    CEO

    Librarian → CEO, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $241K (2020) → $232K (2024)

  • Robert M Hauser

    CEO

    Exc Officer → CEO, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $214K (2020) → $341K (2024)

  • Roger S Bagnall

    President & Councilor

    Curator → Curator & Council, 2022

    Curator & Council → President & Councilor, 2023

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Linda Jacobs

    Development Director

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $148K (2020) → $193K (2024)

  • Gary David

    Asso Director of Collec

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $139K (2024)

  • Linda Musumeci

    Director of Grants

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $123K (2024)

  • Michelle McDonald

    Director of Library

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $257K (2024)

  • John Wolfe

    Financial Officer

    On filings since 2020

    40 hrs/week

    $200K (2020) → $252K (2024)

  • Bayard Miller

    Associate Director of Digit

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $120K (2024)

  • Mary Grace Wahl

    Associate Director of Colle

    New on the 2024 filing

    40 hrs/week

    $114K (2024)

  • Alan S Blinder

    Councilor

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Andrew Delbanco

    Councilor

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Caroline W Bynum

    Councilor & V.p.

    Councilor → Councilor & V.p., 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Clyde F Barker

    Councilor

    President & Councilor → Councilor, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Douglas S Massey

    Councilor

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Dusa McDuff

    Councilor

    Curator & Council → Councilor, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • John S Reed

    Councilor

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jonathan R Cole

    Councilor

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Julia H Gaisser

    Councilor

    Secretary & Council → Councilor, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kathleen Hall Jamieson

    Councilor

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Keith S Thomson

    Curator & Council

    Curator → Curator & Council, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Leslie C Aiello

    Curator & Council

    Councilor → Curator & Council, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Linda Greenhouse

    Councilor

    President & Councilor → Councilor, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Linda K Kerber

    Councilor

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Margaret H Marshall

    Councilor

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Nina Jablonski

    V.p. & Council

    Councilor → V.p. & Council, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Richard B Worley

    Councilor

    Treasurer & Council → Councilor, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • William H Hooke

    Councilor

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Harriet Zuckerman

    Councilor

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jacqueline K Barton

    V.p. & Council

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • David Skorton

    Councilor & Secretary

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jianguo Liu

    Councilor

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Joanna Aizenberg

    Councilor

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Marna C Whittington

    Councilor & Treasurer

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Anne Case

    Councilor

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • John C Van Horne

    Councilor

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mark Thompson

    Councilor

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Richard E Lenski

    Councilor

    On filings since 2023

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • David Hollinger

    Councilor

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Paul W Kroll

    Councilor

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Robert James Miller

    Councilor

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ronald M Fairman

    Councilor

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Vijay Kumar

    Councilor

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (13)
  • Former: Ann Westcott (2020–2023) — Meetings Director
  • Former: Nora Monroe (2020–2023) — Membership Director
  • Former: Babak Ashrafi (2020–2022) — Councilor
  • Former: Evelyn B Higgenbotham (2020–2022) — Councilor
  • Former: Rowena G Matthews (2020–2022) — V.p. & Councilor
  • Former: Samuel O Thier (2020–2022) — Councilor
  • Former: Sarah Thomas (2022) — Councilor
  • Former: Barbara Oberg (2020–2021) — Councilor
  • Former: Christopher P Jones (2020–2021) — Councilor
  • Former: Elizabeth Cropper (2020–2021) — V.p. & Council
  • Former: Philip D Gingerich (2020–2021) — Councilor
  • Former: Warren M Washington (2020–2021) — Councilor
  • Former: Conrad K Harper (2020) — Councilor

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Dr Robert M Hauser — CEO: $341KDr Robert M HauserCEO$341KMichelle McDonald — Dir of Library: $257KMichelle McDonaldDir of Library$257KJohn Wolfe — Financial Offic: $252KJohn WolfeFinancial Offic$252KDr Patrick Spero — CEO: $232KDr Patrick SperoCEO$232KLinda Jacobs — Development Direct: $193KLinda JacobsDevelopment Direct$193KGary David — Asso Dir of Collec: $139KGary DavidAsso Dir of Collec$139KLinda Musumeci — Dir of Grants & Fe: $123KLinda MusumeciDir of Grants & Fe$123KBayard Miller — Assoc Dir of Digit: $120KBayard MillerAssoc Dir of Digit$120KMary Grace Wahl — Assoc Dir of Colle: $114KMary Grace WahlAssoc Dir of Colle$114K

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is American Philosophical Society?

American Philosophical Society is a nonprofit organization focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Philadelphia, PA. It holds $310.2M in total assets as of 2024.

Where does American Philosophical Society operate?

American Philosophical Society has awarded grants in Connecticut.

What is American Philosophical Society's EIN?

American Philosophical Society's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-1353269. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.

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