Student Freedom Initiative Inc
Student Freedom Initiative Inc is a Washington, DC-based public charity, formed in 2020. It focuses on reducing education-related barriers to students’ financial freedom, including through student financing and emergency assistance; its 2025 filing also reports grants to educational institutions.
Student Freedom Initiative Inc at a glance
In short: Student Freedom Initiative Inc gave $395K across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $23K), top state South Carolina. 35% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $394,523
- -71.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- -50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $23,207
- -42.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $141,110,468
- -0.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (6 of 17, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (28% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Student Freedom Initiative Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 633 Pennsylvania Ave Nw 5Th Fl, Washington, DC 20004
Phone: (202) 559-0007
Website: https://studentfreedominitiative.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Student Freedom Initiative Inc
HELPS Program Microgrant
Student Freedom Initiative Inc
Amount
Up to $1,000 per academic year
Deadline
Deadline not published
Student Freedom Loan Agreement (SFLA)
Student Freedom Initiative Inc
Amount
Up to $20,000 annually (cap of $40,000 total)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Student Investment Program (SIP)
Student Freedom Initiative Inc
Amount
$1,000 grant per selected participant
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Student Freedom Initiative Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Claflin University ($100K). Together the top 10 received $325K.
Grant Size Distribution
61 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 36 grants of 61 (59%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s programs and grantmaking are described in United States terms. Its 2025 grants went to recipients in multiple states; the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were South Carolina (28%), Texas (13%), Alabama (13%), Georgia (10%), and Pennsylvania (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Student Freedom Initiative Inc open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 17 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $30K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 59% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2023–2025). 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 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4K (2022) to $1.4M (2024). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $395K.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Claflin University Orangeburg, SC | Broadband Program | $100,000 |
| Texas Southern University Houston, TX | Helps Program | $50,100 |
| Morehouse College Atlanta, GA | Helps Program | $38,578 |
| Lincoln University Lincoln University, PA | Helps Program | $31,000 |
| Uc Riverside Foundation Riverside, CA | Helps Program | $25,000 |
| Alabama State University Montgomery, AL | Helps Program | $20,000 |
| Virginia Union University Richmond, VA | Helps Program | $20,000 |
| Selma University Selma, AL | Helps Program | $19,996 |
| Bluefield State University Bluefield, WV | Helps Program | $10,000 |
| Elizabeth City State University Foundation Elizabeth City, NC | Helps Program | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $141,110,468 | $6,005,581 | $6,821,861 | $394,523 | 17 | $2,628,965 |
| 2024 | $141,833,798 | $5,904,402 | $10,112,603 | $1,368,741 | 34 | $2,874,907 |
| 2023 | $145,875,504 | $19,723,286 | $7,282,206 | $1,249,674 | 10 | $1,314,826 |
| 2022 | $132,770,538 | $15,285,825 | $5,195,727 | $4,220 | Total only | $194,056 |
| 2021 | $122,948,895 | $75,542,300 | $2,829,869 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | $50,054,261 | $50,060,000 | $5,739 | — | — | — |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s website frames its vision as reducing the wealth gap through education. Its programs include the Student Freedom Loan, the Student Investment Program, emergency grants through HELPS, and IMPACT. The organization’s filing describes its education-funding work as aimed at students at Minority Serving Institutions, including historically Black colleges and universities. The Student Freedom Loan is described as an income-contingent education loan for STEM majors at participating institutions; HELPS provides emergency assistance to students facing unexpected hardships.
The 2025 filing lists grants to universities and foundations for purposes including HELPS and a broadband program. Grantee missions illustrate the range of institutions supported: Claflin University says it is committed to teaching, research, creative expression, and students’ personal and professional growth; Lincoln University describes itself as a public HBCU providing liberal arts-based undergraduate education and professional programs; and the UC Riverside Foundation says it supports educational, research, and public functions and programs of the Riverside campus.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Student Freedom Initiative reported 17 grants totaling $394,523. Grant amounts ranged from $9,849 to $100,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest listed award was $100,000 to Claflin University for a broadband program. Other notable grants included $50,100 to Texas Southern University, $38,578 to Morehouse College, and $31,000 to Lincoln University, each for HELPS; and $25,000 to UC Riverside Foundation, also for HELPS.
The organization’s website describes HELPS as a non-repayable emergency grant of up to $1,000 per academic year for eligible undergraduates at participating institutions. Students may apply through the SFI online application or through tools defined by their institution. Eligibility includes undergraduate enrollment at a participating institution; majors and enrollment status may vary, and GPA requirements are determined by each institution. The website also describes the Student Freedom Loan as a loan, not a grant. Its stated application opening of May 2026 is a past cycle as of October 2, 2026.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Robert F. Smith as chairman; Henry Louis Gates, Michael Lomax, Linda Wilson, and Lawrence P. Bancroft as directors; Keith Shoates as president and chief executive officer; Mark Brown as executive director; Michele McCullom as general counsel and secretary; Yvette Thomas as director of capacity building; and Barry Cynamon as director of program design.
Student Freedom Initiative Inc is led by Keith Shoates, President & Chief Executive Officer since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 8 of 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Keith Shoates
President & Chief Executive Officer
Chief Operating Officer → President & Chief Operating Officer, 2024
President & Chief Operating Officer → President & Chief Executive Officer, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$121K (2025)
Mark Brown
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$240K (2022) → $159K (2025)
Robert F. Smith
Chairman
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barry Cynamon
Director of Program Design
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$176K (2022) → $204K (2025)
Yvette Thomas
Director of Capacity Building
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$160K (2023) → $187K (2025)
Gregg Mitchell
Director of Philanthropy
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$167K (2025)
Henry Louis Gates
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Wilson
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Lomax
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lawrence P. Bancroft
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michele McCullom
General Counsel & Secretary
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$15K (2021) → $207K (2025)
Ronald Crozier
Chief Security Officer
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$166K (2023) → $183K (2025)
Kenneth Luzzatto
Project Manager
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$160K (2024) → $166K (2025)
Former officers (5)
- Former: Donna Jones (2022–2024) — Director of Operations
- Former: Chimere Jones (2022–2023) — Engagement Partner
- Former: Robert Jain (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Wendell Layne (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: James Runcie (2020–2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $207K, to Michele McCullom (General Counsel & Secretary). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Student Freedom Initiative Inc
How much does Student Freedom Initiative Inc give each year?
Student Freedom Initiative Inc gave $395K across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.4M across 34 grants.
What is Student Freedom Initiative Inc's typical grant size?
Student Freedom Initiative Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $23,207, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Student Freedom Initiative Inc that year got $10K on average.
Where does Student Freedom Initiative Inc give grants?
Student Freedom Initiative Inc's top state is South Carolina, with 28% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Texas (13%) and Alabama (13%).
Does Student Freedom Initiative Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on Student Freedom Initiative Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Helps Program" (16 grants).
Who are Student Freedom Initiative Inc's largest grantees?
Student Freedom Initiative Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Claflin University ($100,000), Texas Southern University ($50,100) and Morehouse College ($38,578), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Student Freedom Initiative Inc?
Student Freedom Initiative Inc reported $141.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.0M.
What does Student Freedom Initiative Inc fund?
The organization’s website frames its vision as reducing the wealth gap through education. Its programs include the Student Freedom Loan, the Student Investment Program, emergency grants through HELPS, and IMPACT. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Student Freedom Initiative Inc?
Student Freedom Initiative Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check studentfreedominitiative.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Student Freedom Initiative Inc's EIN?
Student Freedom Initiative Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-0557522. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 26, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 11, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Student Freedom Initiative Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Student Freedom Initiative Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/student-freedom-initiative-inc-morg_5bef6ba790234e5e9ffbc50eddf92e2a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_850557522_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Student Freedom Initiative Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/student-freedom-initiative-inc-morg_5bef6ba790234e5e9ffbc50eddf92e2a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Student Freedom Initiative Inc'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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