FREE PRESS WAS CREATED TO GIVE PEOPLE A VOICE IN THE CRUCIAL DECISIONS THAT SHAPE OUR MEDIA. WE BELIEVE THAT POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE, RACIAL JUSTICE AND MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT IN PUBLIC LIFE REQUIRE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY, DIVERSE AND INDEPENDENT OWNERSHIP OF MEDIA PLATFORMS, AND JOURNALISM THAT HOLDS LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE AND TELLS PEOPLE WHAT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. FREE PRESS CLOSELY WATCHES AS THE DECISIONS SHAPING THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE ARE MADE AND SOUNDS THE ALARM WHEN PEOPLE'S RIGHTS TO CONNECT AND COMMUNICATE ARE IN DANGER. WE FOCUS ON SAVING NET NEUTRALITY, ACHIEVING AFFORDABLE INTERNET ACCESS FOR ALL, UPLIFTING THE VOICES OF PEOPLE OF COLOR IN THE MEDIA, CHALLENGING OLD AND NEW MEDIA GATEKEEPERS TO SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST, ENDING UNWARRANTED SURVEILLANCE, DEFENDING PRESS FREEDOM AND REIMAGINING LOCAL JOURNALISM.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$13.1M
+22.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$750K
+150.0% YoY
Grant Count
6
+500.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$125K
-58.3% YoY
About Free Press
Based on IRS filings
Free Press is a nonprofit organization focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in WASHINGTON, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $13.1M in total assets. In 2023, it awarded 6 grants totaling $750K. Net investment income was $295K.
Focus Areas
Ready to take the next step with Free Press?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $13,125,528 | $10,689,315 | $5,225,748 |
| Revenue | $8,915,775 | $10,157,505 | $3,064,544 |
| Expenses | $6,512,640 | $5,255,618 | $4,562,115 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $295,311 | $34,530 | $8,441 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2023
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2023 grants, the largest include The Media Freedom Foundation ($600,000), Free Press Action Fund ($100,000), Miles Media Consulting Management ($13,333).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE MEDIA FREEDOM FOUNDATION FAIR OAKS, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT OF MEDIA FREEDOM FOUNDATION'S PROJECT CENSORED ACTIVITIES | $600,000 |
| FREE PRESS ACTION FUND WASHINGTON, DC | PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| MOVEMENT ALLIANCE PROJECTCOMMUNITY INFO COOPERATIONS | PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT | $11,666 |
| MILES MEDIA CONSULTING MANAGEMENT GRANGER, IN | PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT | $13,333 |
| TINY NEWS COLLECTIVEFIVE WARDS MEDIA & NEWARK NEWS AND STORY COLLABORATIVE | PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT | $11,667 |
| STOCKTON UNIVERSITY GALLOWAY, NJ | PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT | $13,333 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
From 2023 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRAG AARON | CO-CEO | 36 | $159,518 |
| VANESSA CARDENAS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ASHLEY ALLISON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOAN DONOVAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARTHA FUENTES-BAUTISTA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| VICTOR PICKARD | DIRECTOR, CHAIR | 1 | — |
| OLGA DAVIDSON | DIRECTOR, SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| BRANDI COLLINS DEXTER | DIRECTOR, TREASURER | 1 | — |
| KIMBERLY LONGEY | COO, ASST TREASURER/SECRETARY | 34 | $167,468 |
| JESSICA GONZALEZ | CO-CEO | 34 | $168,114 |
| MISTY PEREZ-TRUEDSON | CHIEF OF STAFF | 38 | $138,428 |
| JOSH STAGER | POLICY DIRECTOR | 34 | $101,951 |
| DEREK TURNER | RESEARCH DIRECTOR | 34 | $123,600 |
| MATTHEW WOOD | VICE PRESIDENT OF POLICY AND GENERAL COUNSEL | 34 | $129,350 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Free Press?
Free Press is a nonprofit organization focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in WASHINGTON, DC. It holds $13.1M in total assets as of 2023.
How large is Free Press?
As of 2023, Free Press holds $13.1M in total assets with $8.9M in annual revenue. It awarded 6 grants totaling $750K in 2023.
Where does Free Press operate?
Free Press has awarded grants in California, District of Columbia, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.
What size grants does Free Press award?
In 2023, Free Press awarded 6 grants totaling $750K — an average of about $125K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Free Press's EIN?
Free Press's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-2106721. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2023.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Free Press's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Oceanfirst Foundation
TOMS RIVER, NJ
Assets
$8.8M
Grants
662
Total Given
$1.5M
Sixteen Thirty Fund
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$106.5M
Grants
318
Total Given
$236.4M
Community Food Bank Of New Jersey Inc
HILLSIDE, NJ
Assets
$125.1M
Grants
131
Total Given
$6.2M
Jerry Fund Inc
WESTPORT, CT
Assets
$26K
Grants
3
Total Given
$27K
The Sjaardema Family Foundation
HAWTHORNE, NJ
Assets
$120K
Grants
8
Total Given
$5K
Charles B Mathis Mem Tr
SAINT LOUIS, MO
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
29
Total Given
$70K
The Schwartz Creed Foundation
MT LAUREL, NJ
Assets
$16.2M
Grants
16
Total Given
$2.4M
Elizabeth H Soeder Scholarship
SAINT LOUIS, MO
Assets
$435K
Grants
13
Total Given
$20K
The H Hovnanian Family Foundation
TINTON FALLS, NJ
Assets
$212.4M
Grants
73
Total Given
$10.2M
Fay-mor-wee Home Memorial Schol Tua
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$88K
Grants
2
Total Given
$5K
Peter Sleesman Tw
DALLAS, TX
Assets
$187K
Grants
1
Total Given
$7K
Democracy Fund Voice Inc
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$16.4M
Grants
50
Total Given
$12.6M
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
What could you do with Free Press on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities