Center for Independent Thought
Center for Independent Thought seeks to expand awareness of individual liberty, free markets,and peace. Cit works with teachers, scholars, and free-market organizations to develop critical thinking and bring the ideas of liberty to freedom-loving people around the globe.
Center for Independent Thought at a glance
In short: Center for Independent Thought gave $1.1M across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $538K), mostly in New Hampshire. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,075,910
- +169.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $537,955
- +169.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $537,955
- Total assets
- $6,520,025
- +8.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New Hampshire (91% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Center for Independent Thought
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Center for Independent Thought
Roy A. Childs, Jr. Fund for Independent Scholars
Center for Independent Thought
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Thomas S. Szasz Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Cause of Civil Liberties
Center for Independent Thought
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Center for Independent Thought funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ludlow Institute ($976K). Together the top 2 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 6 grants of 8 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
Cities
How Center for Independent Thought gives
- Giving grew 438% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $100K (2020) to $1.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ludlow Institute Epping, NH | NBTV | $975,910 |
| Cato Institute Washington, DC | General Operations | $100,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,520,025 | $3,051,775 | $3,490,078 | $1,075,910 | 2 | $182,872 |
| 2023 | $6,038,576 | $3,236,440 | $2,468,010 | $400,000 | 2 | $168,127 |
| 2022 | $5,246,017 | $2,865,388 | $2,136,743 | $200,000 | 2 | $1,709 |
| 2021 | $4,717,813 | $3,704,042 | $1,798,233 | $200,000 | 1 | $42,747 |
| 2020 | $2,830,985 | $1,722,211 | $1,122,614 | $100,000 | 1 | $44,798 |
About Center for Independent Thought
Based on IRS filings
Center for Independent Thought is a public charity focused on Social Science, based in Bala Cynwyd, PA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $6.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $1.1M. Net investment income was $183K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Center for Independent Thought is led by Robert Schimenz, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 6 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert Schimenz
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$79K (2020) → $111K (2024)
Howard Rich
Chairman
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Stossel
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Ricci
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Barbee
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anita Anderson
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: David Boaz (2020–2023) — Vice President
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
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $111K, to Robert Schimenz (President).
Frequently asked questions about Center for Independent Thought
How much does Center for Independent Thought give each year?
Center for Independent Thought gave $1.1M across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $400K across 2 grants.
How large is Center for Independent Thought?
Center for Independent Thought reported $6.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.1M.
What is Center for Independent Thought?
Center for Independent Thought is a public charity focused on Social Science, based in Bala Cynwyd, PA. It holds $6.5M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Center for Independent Thought operate?
Center for Independent Thought has awarded grants in District of Columbia, Illinois, New Hampshire.
What is Center for Independent Thought's EIN?
Center for Independent Thought's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-0945376. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 6, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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