J & L Freedom Foundation
J & L Freedom Foundation is a private foundation, based in Bellingham, WA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $245K. Net investment income was $16K.
J & L Freedom Foundation at a glance
In short: J & L Freedom Foundation gave $245K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $41K), mostly in Washington. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $245,027
- +25.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $40,838
- +25.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,014
- Total assets
- $1,089,492
- -33.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Washington (84% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who J & L Freedom Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lighthouse Mission Ministries ($100K). Together the top 6 received $245K.
Grant Size Distribution
30 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 20 grants of 30 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How J & L Freedom Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+16%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 408% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF 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 $190K (2022) to $245K (2024). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $245K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lighthouse Mission Ministries Bellingham, WA | Cash Donation | $100,000 |
| Trinity Lutheran Church Bellingham, WA | Cash Donation | $95,000 |
| BSF International San Antonio, TX | Cash Donation | $20,000 |
| Michael J Fox Foundation New York, NY | Cash Donation | $10,027 |
| Oakhurst UMC Seminole, FL | Cash Donation | $10,000 |
| Bellingham Food Bank Bellingham, WA | Cash Donation | $10,000 |
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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 | $1,089,492 | $-299,896 | $245,027 | $245,027 | 6 | $245,027 | $16,447 | $60,121 |
| 2023 | $1,634,415 | $727,813 | $196,000 | $196,000 | 6 | $196,000 | $18,718 | $53,907 |
| 2022 | $1,102,602 | $-70,697 | $190,733 | $190,000 | 5 | $190,000 | $13,231 | $104,856 |
| 2021 | $1,364,032 | $598,695 | $216,465 | $211,200 | 5 | $211,200 | $48,695 | $84,624 |
| 2020 | $981,802 | $112,937 | $232,980 | $232,000 | 8 | — | $112,937 | $64,801 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, J & L Freedom Foundation reported a distributable amount of $60K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
J & L Freedom Foundation is led by Leslie Svoboda, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Leslie Svoboda
President
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Joseph O. Svoboda
Secretary
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Joseph O. (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Leslie (2020) — 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.
Frequently asked questions about J & L Freedom Foundation
How much does J & L Freedom Foundation give each year?
J & L Freedom Foundation gave $245K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $196K across 6 grants.
What is J & L Freedom Foundation's typical grant size?
J & L Freedom Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,014, and its average grant was $40,838, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does J & L Freedom Foundation give grants?
J & L Freedom Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Texas (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bellingham, WA (3 grants).
Does J & L Freedom Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on J & L Freedom Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Cash Donation" (6 grants).
Who are J & L Freedom Foundation's largest grantees?
J & L Freedom Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Lighthouse Mission Ministries ($100,000), Trinity Lutheran Church ($95,000) and BSF International ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 88% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is J & L Freedom Foundation?
J & L Freedom Foundation reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $245K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $60K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is J & L Freedom Foundation's EIN?
J & L Freedom Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-2042321. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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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