The American Independent Foundation
The mission of the organization is to foster strong, independent journalism that helps create positive societal change through increased public awareness of progressive issues.
Key facts about The American Independent Foundation
In short: The American Independent Foundation gave $33.3M across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $5.6M), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 33-1137541
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $33,340,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- Average grant
- $5,556,667
- Median grant
- $5,550,000
- Total assets
- $13,457,553
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$13.5M
+65.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$33.3M
+310.5% YoY
Grant Count
6
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5.6M
+310.5% YoY
How The American Independent Foundation gives
- Giving grew 11013% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
About The American Independent Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The American Independent Foundation is a public charity, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $13.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $33.3M.
Ready to take the next step with The American Independent Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $30K (2020) to $33.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $33.3M.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was American Independent Media ($11.2M). Together the top 6 received $33.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
14 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was $5M or more: 5 grants of 14 (36%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Independent Media Washington, DC | Educational Program Activities | $11,190,000 |
| Democracy Matters Washington, DC | Educational Program Activities | $11,000,000 |
| Democracy Matters Foundation Washington, DC | General Support | $10,100,000 |
| Media Matters Action Network Washington, DC | Educational Program Activities | $1,000,000 |
| Utah Film Center Salt Lake City, UT | General Support | $25,000 |
| Yale University New Haven, CT | Research Activities | $25,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $13,457,553 | $8,127,867 | $4,810,446 |
| Revenue | $58,642,994 | $18,423,509 | $26,134,884 |
| Expenses | $52,360,305 | $16,208,068 | $22,550,443 |
| Net Investment Income | $-66,194 | $730 | $8,501 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The American Independent Foundation is led by Joe Conason, President on every filing since 2023; 8 of 15 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Joe Conason
President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$18K (2023) → $101K (2024)
David Bennahum
Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pilar Martinez
Director & CFO
CFO → Director, 2023
Director → Director & CFO, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $60K (2024)
Jessica Standafer Bolles
Digital Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$117K (2023) → $131K (2024)
Jill Aper
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carlos Marroquin
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Jolly
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicco Mele
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dhanya Addanki
Executive Editor
Managing Editor → Executive Editor, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$121K (2023) → $140K (2024)
Daniel J. Camacho
Senior Editor
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$102K (2024)
Emily Singer
Senior Reporter
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$108K (2024)
Joshua E. Israel
Senior Writer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$102K (2024)
Karen L. Freund
Editor
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$102K (2024)
Ankit Desai
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Victoria Hopper
Secretary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Marissa McBride (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Scott Nielsen (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jessica McCreight (2022–2023) — President
- Former: Emma Roller (2023) — Deputy Managing Editor
- Former: Matthew Cohen (2023) — Political Reporter
- Former: Matt Fuehrmeyer (2021–2022) — President
- Former: Bradley Beychok (2022) — Senior Advisor
- Former: Kaili Joy Gray (2020–2021) — Executive Editor
- Former: Angelo Carusone (2020) — Interim Executive Director
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 $140K, to Dhanya Addanki (Executive Editor). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The American Independent Foundation
How much does The American Independent Foundation give each year?
The American Independent Foundation gave $33.3M across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $8.1M across 6 grants.
What is The American Independent Foundation's typical grant size?
The American Independent Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,550,000, and its average grant was $5,556,667, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The American Independent Foundation give grants?
The American Independent Foundation gives mostly in District of Columbia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (4 grants).
Does The American Independent Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of The American Independent Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Educational Program Activities" (3 grants).
Who are The American Independent Foundation's largest grantees?
The American Independent Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include American Independent Media ($11,190,000), Democracy Matters ($11,000,000) and Democracy Matters Foundation ($10,100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 97% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The American Independent Foundation?
The American Independent Foundation reported $13.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $58.6M.
What is The American Independent Foundation's EIN?
The American Independent Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-1137541. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Here's the math on researching The American Independent Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The American Independent Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Mountain View, CA
Silicon Valley Community Foundation funds work in areas such as housing, economic security, education, health, the environment, arts and culture, and civic engagement, with Community Action Grants supporting local, community-led organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $51,716, though amounts varied widely; applications depend on the program, and SVCF states that it does not accept unsolicited proposals for advised funds.
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations, individuals, and ideas working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work in areas such as immigrant justice, criminal justice reform, gender equity, and arts and culture, through grants around the world. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000, with amounts ranging from $45 to $15 million; it does not accept unsolicited requests by mail, email, or phone.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Marin Community Foundation
Novato, CA
Marin Community Foundation funds equity-focused work, including affordable housing, homelessness, community resilience and power, and arts; its Buck Family Fund supports organizations serving Marin County, including those based elsewhere. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000 and ranged from $5,050 to $10 million; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,573
Total Given
$186.1M
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc
New York, NY
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund supports climate and environmental work, human rights, civic engagement, Jewish causes, and some economic-opportunity initiatives, with grants reported across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024, its grants ranged from $500 to $9.75 million, with a median of $200,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$134.4M
Grants
1,101
Total Given
$326.0M
Freedom Together Foundation
New York, NY
The foundation funds work to strengthen multiracial democracy and build community and worker power, racial and gender justice, movement infrastructure, reproductive health, medical research, and community institutions. In 2024, its grants ranged from $5,000 to $14 million, with a median of $500,000; its largest shares went to organizations in Washington, DC, New York, California, Massachusetts, and Illinois. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.4B
Grants
595
Total Given
$470.0M
The Dwoskin Family Foundation
Fairfax, VA
The Dwoskin Family Foundation funds education, health care, economic development, journalism, scholarships, and public affairs, with grants concentrated in New York, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $510,000, with a median of $10,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.7M
Grants
13
Total Given
$1.1M
NCRC Community Development Fund Inc
Washington, DC
NCRC Community Development Fund supports affordable housing and homeownership, small businesses—especially minority-owned, women-owned, and low-income businesses—and certain nonprofit programs that provide capital or services to underserved communities. Its listed awards range from $5,000 to $50,000, though typical giving is not stated; it serves communities across the U.S., with some programs focused on Illinois. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$55.6M
Grants
2,666
Total Given
$149.3M
Greater Washington Community Foundation
Washington, DC
The Greater Washington Community Foundation supports nonprofits and community initiatives across areas including education, health, human services, arts, economic development, and workforce development, with a focus on equity and economic justice. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $9.1 million, with a median of $20,000; it centers its work on DC, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, and Northern Virginia. It accepts applications through scheduled competitive grant rounds and some solicited, invite-only opportunities; donor-recommended grants are not open to applicants.
Assets
$518.3M
Grants
1,417
Total Given
$116.9M
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Washington, DC
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds competitive projects that conserve or restore fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats, including habitat restoration, species recovery, and coastal and watershed resilience; it does not fund advocacy or litigation. It works across all 50 states and U.S. territories, with a 2024 median grant of $81,584 and awards ranging from $5,169 to $29 million. Applications are made through specific grant programs and their requests for proposals; whether unsolicited requests are accepted is not stated.
Assets
$3.6B
Grants
1,286
Total Given
$464.4M
AARP
Washington, DC
AARP funds organizations working on aging-related issues, including technology access, caregiving, legal services, research, and community programs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,020 to $7.4 million, with a median of $15,000; reported grant dollars were concentrated in New York, Washington, DC, and Colorado. The profile does not state whether AARP accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$13.1B
Grants
688
Total Given
$35.8M
Frontstream Global Fund
Washington, DC
FrontStream Global Fund distributes donations raised through workplace giving, corporate philanthropy, and other fundraising activities to donor-designated IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) charities across the United States. Its 2025 grants had a median of $13,714 and ranged from $5,003 to $358,589. It distributes funds according to donor recommendations; unsolicited requests are not addressed in the information provided.
Assets
$421K
Grants
556
Total Given
$13.4M
More Funders in District of Columbia
The American Independent Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?