Paths to Freedom
Paths to Freedom is a private foundation, based in Nashville, TN. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $164K. Net investment income was $135K.
Paths to Freedom at a glance
In short: Paths to Freedom gave $164K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $41K), mostly in Tennessee. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $164,250
- +57.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $41,063
- +57.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $11,500
- Total assets
- $1,834,448
- +4.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Tennessee (100% 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 Paths to Freedom funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Davis House Child Advocacy Center ($137K). Together the top 4 received $164K.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 8 grants of 12 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How Paths to Freedom gives
- Giving grew 64% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 181% 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $85K (2022) to $164K (2024). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $164K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Davis House Child Advocacy Center Franklin, TN | Support services for children who have experienced abuse | $137,000 |
| Impact Youth Outreach Madison, TN | To facilitate positive relationships with inner city, at-risk youth through mentorship, scholarship, and educational programming that encourages growth, post-secondary success, and maximizes offered opportunities. | $13,000 |
| Serve and Protect Franklin, TN | To provide services to first responders and safety professionals who have experienced PTSD or other mental health challenges. The goal is to provide access to resources that will promote healing, wellness, and resilience. To educate and advocate on behalf of those who are in need and raise awareness about the importance of addressing PTSD in the first responder community. | $10,000 |
| Oz Arts Nashville Nashville, TN | To support the creation, development and presentation of significant performing and visual art works by leading artists whose contribution influences the advancement of their field. Through performances, exhibitions, and community events, OZ Arts focuses on producing and presenting the work of local and visiting artists who reflect our diverse society, utilize new artistic forms and technology in creative ways, and provide opportunities for meaningful engagement with audiences, students and cultural and civic leaders. | $4,250 |
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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 | $1,834,448 | $249,984 | $176,784 | $164,250 | 4 | $164,250 | $135,351 | $90,580 |
| 2023 | $1,751,218 | $30,217 | $115,093 | $104,000 | 4 | $104,000 | $41,404 | $82,937 |
| 2022 | $1,647,908 | $-37,564 | $94,303 | $85,000 | 3 | $85,000 | $34,467 | $90,989 |
| 2021 | $1,899,919 | $2,000,001 | $100,082 | $100,000 | 1 | $100,000 | — | $98,500 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Paths to Freedom reported a distributable amount of $91K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Paths to Freedom is led by Micah Berg, President on every filing since 2021; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Micah Berg
President
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jakob Dwyer
Secretary
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Olin
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "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 Paths to Freedom
How much does Paths to Freedom give each year?
Paths to Freedom gave $164K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $104K across 4 grants.
What is Paths to Freedom's typical grant size?
Paths to Freedom's median grant in 2024 was $11,500, and its average grant was $41,063, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Paths to Freedom give grants?
Paths to Freedom gives mostly in Tennessee: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Franklin, TN (2 grants).
Does Paths to Freedom give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Paths to Freedom's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
How large is Paths to Freedom?
Paths to Freedom reported $1.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $164K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $91K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Paths to Freedom's EIN?
Paths to Freedom's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-4029399. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
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 2021–2024
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Browse active grant opportunities in Paths to Freedom's focus areas in our free grants database
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