Freedom Together Foundation
Freedom Together Foundation is a private foundation based in New York, NY. Formerly The JPB Foundation, it was founded in 2012 by Barbara Picower and supports people who have been denied power to build it, so they can change unjust systems and create a more democratic, inclusive, and sustainable society.
Freedom Together Foundation at a glance
In short: Freedom Together Foundation gave $470.0M across 595 grants in 2024 (avg $790K), top state District of Columbia. 23% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $469,997,302
- +10.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 595
- +17.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $789,911
- -5.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $500,000
- Total assets
- $3,362,377,321
- +22.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (102 of 442, 2024)
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (29% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Freedom Together Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 875 Third Avenue 29Th Floor, New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 935-9860
Website: https://freedomtogether.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Freedom Together Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc ($22.8M across 14 grants). Together the top 10 received $130.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
2,385 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $500K–1M range: 712 grants of 2,385 (30%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Washington, DC (29%), New York (26%), California (16%), Massachusetts (8%), and Illinois (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 595 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Freedom Together Foundation open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 102 of 442 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $397K; repeat grants $1.3M. How we count
Medians: $250K first-time, $650K repeat.
- 73% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 48% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 265% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $318.3M (2021) to $470.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 595 grants totaling $470.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Meridian Partners Inc New York, NY | Blue Meridian Partners: General Partnership Recommitment | $14,000,000 |
| Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc Washington, DC | Solidarity Fund | $12,500,000 |
| Movement Strategy Center Oakland, CA | Energy Efficiency for All | $8,000,000 |
| Voter Registration Project Washington, DC | General Operating Support | $8,000,000 |
| Community Change Washington, DC | Toward a Freedom to Thrive | $7,000,000 |
| Community Change Washington, DC | 2024 Civic Engagement Rapid Response | $6,500,000 |
| New Venture Fund Washington, DC | Trusted Elections Fund | $6,250,000 |
| Windward Fund Washington, DC | Advancing environmental justice through the fund to build grassroots power | $6,150,000 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA | The Picower Institute Innovation Fund (Piif) | $5,550,000 |
| Bend the Arc a Jewish Partnership for Justice New York, NY | Youth Organizing for Climate Action and Racial Equity | $5,000,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,362,377,321 | $1,132,105,563 | $520,151,983 | $469,997,302 | 595 | $494,506,702 | $1,123,239,366 | $186,817,427 |
| 2023 | $2,750,408,293 | $323,861,107 | $458,231,361 | $424,004,239 | 505 | $438,456,177 | $300,724,683 | $198,792,619 |
| 2022 | $2,884,777,601 | $157,991,321 | $385,377,151 | $359,345,731 | 426 | $371,931,481 | $131,203,042 | $212,981,087 |
| 2021 | $3,112,143,645 | $422,930,172 | $350,061,361 | $318,339,150 | 428 | $330,393,046 | $410,175,446 | $230,937,730 |
| 2020 | $3,039,253,044 | $160,412,323 | $385,715,331 | $359,418,270 | 431 | — | $132,249,053 | $201,181,369 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Freedom Together Foundation reported a distributable amount of $186.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to support people who have been denied power to build it, so they can change unjust systems and create a more democratic, inclusive, and sustainable society. Its program areas are Community and Worker Power; Democracy, Gender, and Racial Justice; Faith, Bridging, and Belonging; Movement Infrastructure and Explorations; and Reproductive Health, Medical Research, and Community Grants.
Its work includes supporting efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and fundamental rights, build movement infrastructure and leadership, and develop narrative and culture-change strategies. It also supports reproductive healthcare, medical research on Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes, and community institutions serving students and communities.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of its grantmaking. Blue Meridian Partners describes its work as finding and funding scalable solutions to problems that trap young people and families in poverty and limit economic mobility. The Voter Registration Project says it carries out nonpartisan voter registration programs and assists other nonprofits with such programs. Movement Strategy Center describes itself as a movement-support organization providing fiscal sponsorship, philanthropic services, and capacity building to movement leaders and organizations.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 595 grants totaling $469,997,302. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $14 million, with a median of $500,000. Among its largest grants were $14 million to Blue Meridian Partners for a general partnership recommitment; $12.5 million to Amalgamated Charitable Foundation for the Solidarity Fund; $8 million to Movement Strategy Center for Energy Efficiency for All; and $8 million to the Voter Registration Project for general operating support. Other large awards included $7 million and $6.5 million to Community Change, $6.25 million to New Venture Fund, and $6.15 million to Windward Fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing include Gerald C. McNamara, CIO; April C. Freilich, COO and executive vice president through December 13, 2024; Barbara Picower, president emerita and chair from February 15, 2024; Deepak Bhargava, president and vice chair from February 15, 2024; Daniel Altschuler, treasurer from December 13, 2024; Deepak Pateriya, senior vice president of strategy and management from February 6, 2024; and Rakim Brooks, general counsel from May 15, 2024.
The filing also lists Susan C. Frunzi, Hahrie Han, and Alan Jenkins as trustees.
Freedom Together Foundation is led by Deepak Bhargava, President & Vice Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 11 of 13 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Deepak Bhargava
President & Vice Chair
Trustee → President Elect, 2023
President Elect → President & Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$196K (2023) → $785K (2024)
Barbara Picower
President Emerita & Chair
President → President Emerita & Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$299K (2020) → $71K (2024)
Alan Jenkins
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
$35K (2024)
Cecilia Munoz
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
$35K (2024)
Hahrie Han
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
$35K (2024)
Kierra Johnson
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
$35K (2024)
Susan C. Frunzi
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Kay Henry
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
April C. Freilich
COO & Executive Vice President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$836K (2020) → $934K (2024)
Gerald C. McNamara
CIO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$1.5M (2020) → $1.2M (2024)
Daniel Altschuler
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$347K (2024)
Deepak Pateriya
Senior Vice President, Strategy & Management
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$376K (2024)
Rakim Brooks
General Counsel
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$217K (2024)
Former officers (5)
- Former: Cecile Richards (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Geoffrey Canada (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Joshua Henri Hochschuler (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Martin R. Post (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: William D. Zabel (2020–2023) — Trustee
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 $1.2M, to Gerald C McNamara (CIO). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Freedom Together Foundation
How much does Freedom Together Foundation give each year?
Freedom Together Foundation gave $470.0M across 595 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $424.0M across 505 grants.
What is Freedom Together Foundation's typical grant size?
Freedom Together Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $500,000, and its average grant was $789,911, across 595 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Freedom Together Foundation that year got $397K on average.
Where does Freedom Together Foundation give grants?
Freedom Together Foundation's top state is District of Columbia, with 29% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (26%) and California (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (136 grants), New York, NY (115 grants), Oakland, CA (30 grants) and Los Angeles, CA (24 grants).
Does Freedom Together Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 22% of Freedom Together Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (132 of 595) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Freedom Together Foundation's largest grantees?
Freedom Together Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Amalgamated Charitable Foundation Inc ($22,811,000 across 14 grants), Community Change ($16,025,000 across 7 grants) and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc ($15,750,000 across 10 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Freedom Together Foundation?
Freedom Together Foundation reported $3.4B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $494.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $186.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Freedom Together Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support people who have been denied power to build it, so they can change unjust systems and create a more democratic, inclusive, and sustainable society. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Freedom Together Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Freedom Together Foundation's EIN?
Freedom Together Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 90-0747216. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Freedom Together Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Freedom Together Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/freedom-together-foundation-morg_0188a0856001474ba5a2ae9205015b8e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_900747216_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Freedom Together Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/freedom-together-foundation-morg_0188a0856001474ba5a2ae9205015b8e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Freedom Together Foundation'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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