Freedom to Lead International
To cultivate competent christ centered leaders through story, symbol and song to unleash their potential for impacting local communities with the whole gospel
Freedom to Lead International at a glance
In short: Freedom to Lead International gave $157K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $157K). Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $157,400
- +233.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- Average grant
- $157,400
- Median grant
- $157,400
- Total assets
- $923,251
- -15.1% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Freedom to Lead International funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Legacy Trust of Marianna FL Inc ($157K).
Grant Size Distribution
1 grant across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 1 grant of 1 (100%).
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $41K (2022) to $157K (2024). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $157K.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy Trust of Marianna FL Inc | Lodging Travel Meals | $157,400 |
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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 | $923,251 | $643,566 | $808,374 | $157,400 | 1 | $27,266 |
| 2023 | $1,088,059 | $451,984 | $945,858 | $47,204 | Total only | $42,318 |
| 2022 | $1,581,933 | $922,385 | $738,914 | $40,920 | Total only | $8,785 |
| 2021 | $1,398,462 | $812,838 | $578,910 | $44,389 | Total only | $1,728 |
| 2020 | $1,206,453 | $937,832 | $602,085 | $43,147 | Total only | $5,384 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Freedom to Lead International
Based on IRS filings
Freedom to Lead International is a public charity focused on religion, based in Cary, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $923K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $157K. Net investment income was $27K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Freedom to Lead International is led by Michelle M. Sessoms Ceo, CEO on the 2024 filing; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michelle M. Sessoms Ceo
CEO
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$79K (2024)
Douglas Gent
Board of Directors
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Felix Widmer
Board of Directors
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janet Blackely
Board of Directors
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George Philip
Board of Directors
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Becker
Board of Directors
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Sackmann
Board of Directors
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: James Devries (2020–2023) — Board of Directors
- Former: Bob Sackmann (2021–2023) — Board of Directors
- Former: Richard W. Sessoms Ceo (2022–2023) — Founder & CEO
- Former: Ray Alery (2020–2021) — Board of Directors
- Former: Richard W. Sessoms (2020–2021) — Founder & CEO
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 $79K, to Michelle M Sessoms CEO (CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Freedom to Lead International
How much does Freedom to Lead International give each year?
Freedom to Lead International gave $157K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it reported $47K in grants paid.
How large is Freedom to Lead International?
Freedom to Lead International reported $923K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $644K.
What is Freedom to Lead International?
Freedom to Lead International is a public charity focused on religion, based in Cary, NC. It holds $923K in total assets as of 2024.
What is Freedom to Lead International's EIN?
Freedom to Lead International's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-0152761. 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
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 6, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 10, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Browse active grant opportunities in Freedom to Lead International's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from Freedom to Lead International's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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