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.
The American Independent Foundation at a glance
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.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $33,340,000
- +310.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $5,556,667
- +310.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,550,000
- Total assets
- $13,457,553
- +65.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The American Independent Foundation funds
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%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How The American Independent Foundation gives
- Giving grew 11013% 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 $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.
Grants by year
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 |
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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 | $13,457,553 | $58,642,994 | $52,360,305 | $33,340,000 | 6 | $-66,194 |
| 2023 | $8,127,867 | $18,423,509 | $16,208,068 | $8,122,500 | 6 | $730 |
| 2022 | $4,810,446 | $26,134,884 | $22,550,443 | $18,220,000 | 1 | $8,501 |
| 2021 | $1,222,309 | $4,909,163 | $4,111,492 | $300,000 | 1 | $687 |
| 2020 | $592,311 | $2,103,769 | $2,022,585 | $30,000 | Total only | $7,465 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
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.
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.
Data update history
(6)
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
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