Independence Institute
The mission of Independence Institute is to empower individuals and to educate citizens,legislators and opinion makers about public policies that enhance personal and economic freedom.
Independence Institute at a glance
In short: Independence Institute gave $100K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $100K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $100,000
- -66.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- -50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $100,000
- -33.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $6,277,667
- -0.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Colorado (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Independence Institute funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Coloradans for Civil Liberties ($100K).
Grant Size Distribution
11 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 8 grants of 11 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Independence Institute gives
- Giving fell 73% 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 (2024) to $450K (2022). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $100K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Coloradans for Civil Liberties Greeley, CO | Research | $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 | $6,277,667 | $2,298,705 | $2,287,154 | $100,000 | 1 | $244,067 |
| 2023 | $6,308,175 | $3,644,899 | $2,746,053 | $300,000 | 2 | $157,360 |
| 2022 | $5,396,578 | $3,977,476 | $2,713,541 | $450,000 | 4 | $-101,580 |
| 2021 | $4,125,460 | $3,066,130 | $2,744,939 | $375,000 | 2 | $48,553 |
| 2020 | $3,786,992 | $2,662,306 | $2,967,428 | $358,000 | 2 | $59,677 |
| 2019 | $4,126,625 | $3,782,950 | $3,524,664 | — | — | $59,662 |
| 2018 | $3,819,480 | $3,196,031 | $3,518,479 | — | — | $-19,573 |
About Independence Institute
Based on IRS filings
Independence Institute is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Denver, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2018 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $6.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $100K. Net investment income was $244K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Independence Institute is led by Jon C. Caldara, President of II on every filing since 2018; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jon C. Caldara
President of II
On filings since 2018
40 hrs/week
$132K (2018) → $206K (2024)
Catherine Shopneck
Chairman
On filings since 2018
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Smith
Board of Trustee
Trustee → Board of Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2018
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dick Wadhams
Board of Trustee
Trustee → Board of Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Hillman
Board of Trustee
Trustee → Board of Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Donner
Board of Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Rosen
Board of Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Katherine Whitcomb (2018–2023) — Vice Chairman
- Former: Mike McCarty (2018–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Debbie Donner (2018–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Damon Sasso (2018–2019) — Chief Acctg Officer
- Former: Jeff Coors (2018–2019) — Trustee
- Former: Amy Oliver Cooke (2018) — Vice President
- Former: David Kopel (2018) — Research Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2018–2024. "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 $206K, to Jon C Caldara (President of II).
Frequently asked questions about Independence Institute
How much does Independence Institute give each year?
Independence Institute gave $100K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $300K across 2 grants.
How large is Independence Institute?
Independence Institute reported $6.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.3M.
What is Independence Institute?
Independence Institute is a public charity focused on public and societal benefit, based in Denver, CO. It holds $6.3M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Independence Institute operate?
Independence Institute has awarded grants in Colorado, Pennsylvania.
What is Independence Institute's EIN?
Independence Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-0990300. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2018–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2018 (received by the IRS February 14, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 31, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 2, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 8, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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