The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF
The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based public charity formed in 2002. Its stated mission is to manage and distribute assets in support of The Philadelphia Foundation by enabling quality local journalism that serves communities. It supports local journalism through grants and other activities focused on high-impact reporting, news technology, audience development, and sustainable digital business models.
The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF at a glance
In short: The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF gave $15.0M across 97 grants in 2024 (avg $154K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $14,973,490
- +10.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 97
- +67.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $154,366
- -34.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $133,928,628
- +7.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (76% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF
- How to Apply
-
The website lists no grant opportunities open at this time. When opportunities are available, applicants may apply through the posted program; the Institute also invites letters of inquiry for aligned projects outside active programs.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1835 Market Street 2410, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 563-6417
Website: https://lenfestinstitute.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF
Beyond Print Grant
The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Philadelphia Local News Sustainability Initiative Grant
The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF
Amount
US $100,000 - US $150,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Philadelphia Inquirer ($7.8M). Together the top 10 received $11.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
355 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 183 grants of 355 (52%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Institute’s website describes funding in the Philadelphia news ecosystem, across Pennsylvania, and nationally. It describes Philadelphia grants for individuals, organizations, and ecosystem-wide efforts, and national grants for ecosystem-building, research and community listening, and experimentation.
In 2024, 76% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania, followed by New York (6%), Illinois (4%), Washington (3%), and Minnesota (3%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 97 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $9.7M (2021) to $24.4M (2020). In 2024 it made 97 grants totaling $15.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, PA | The institute is supporting the inquirers transition from a traditional printed newspaper to an economically sustainable, primarily digital, equitable news enterprise. A series of grants were made to the inquirer to fund (a) high impact journalism, including work by its investigative team, spotlight pa and health coverage and (b) news technology and product improvements, including a grant for digital transformation acceleration, brand development, technology for audience growth, digital subscription process improvements, and other technology support. | $7,847,500 |
| Spotlight PA Harrisburg, PA | (O) = $10,000, (S) = $500,000 | $510,000 |
| Chicago Public Media Inc Chicago, IL | (G) = $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Newsday LLC Melville, NY | (G) = $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Seattle Times Company Seattle, WA | (G) = $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Star Tribune Media Intermediate Holdings Company II Minneapolis, MN | (G) = $500,000 | $500,000 |
| Cambridge Artificial Intelligence Inc Wellesley, MA | (F) = $475,000 | $475,000 |
| Federation of Neighborhood Centers Inc Philadelphia, PA | (A) = $130,000, (E) = $15,000, (M) = $100,000, (N) = $80,000 | $325,000 |
| The Haitian Times Brooklyn, NY | (T) = $276,625 | $276,625 |
| Nueva Esperanza Inc Philadelphia, PA | (A) = $75,000, (M) = $162,000 | $237,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing identifies the organization as a public charity. Its filing narrative says the permanently restricted endowment supports current operations through a total-return investment strategy and spending policy, while temporarily restricted endowment funds support The Inquirer’s transition to digital news delivery.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $133,928,628 | $26,054,320 | $22,756,190 | $14,973,490 | 97 | $4,349,761 |
| 2023 | $124,527,937 | $31,951,841 | $21,808,175 | $13,558,347 | 58 | $2,059,008 |
| 2022 | $107,280,135 | $41,516,736 | $21,565,100 | $15,763,558 | 70 | $1,678,832 |
| 2021 | $99,634,192 | $14,397,650 | $16,429,153 | $9,727,514 | 22 | $1,548,958 |
| 2020 | $97,432,232 | $21,750,954 | $30,909,697 | $24,381,024 | 108 | $2,467,759 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The funder’s mission is to receive, manage, and distribute assets in support of The Philadelphia Foundation by enabling quality local journalism that serves its communities. Its filing describes work across three categories: national programs, the Philadelphia news ecosystem, and The Inquirer. Activities include supporting high-impact journalism, news technology, diverse and growing audiences, and sustainable digital business models, as well as convening, research, training, and advisory work.
The Institute’s website describes Philadelphia grantmaking across three interconnected tiers: individuals, organizations, and ecosystem-wide efforts. Examples include professional development for individuals; core support and capacity building for organizations; and civic engagement, public accountability journalism, research, convenings, and communities of practice. Nationally, the website describes support for media ecosystem-building, research and community listening, and experimentation that applies lessons from its Communities of Practice.
Its 2024 grantees included organizations with varied missions. Spotlight PA says its mission is to hold powerful public and private forces accountable through investigative and public service journalism. Chicago Public Media says it works to strengthen local communities and democracy through independent local journalism. Cambridge Artificial Intelligence Inc says it aims to revive and transform local journalism using artificial intelligence. Other 2024 recipients included community development, public access media, and philanthropic organizations.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the funder reported 97 grants totaling $14,973,490. Grants ranged from $6,000 to $7,847,500, with a median of $30,000.
The largest reported award was $7,847,500 to The Philadelphia Inquirer. The filing says the funding supported its transition from print toward a sustainable, primarily digital and equitable news enterprise, including high-impact journalism and news technology and product improvements. Other large 2024 grants included $510,000 to Spotlight PA; $500,000 each to Chicago Public Media, Newsday, Seattle Times Company, and Star Tribune Media Intermediate Holdings Company II; and $475,000 to Cambridge Artificial Intelligence Inc. Additional awards included $325,000 to Federation of Neighborhood Centers, $276,625 to The Haitian Times, and $237,000 to Nueva Esperanza.
The Institute’s website says open grant opportunities are posted when available and that applications for those opportunities are reviewed by a staff grants committee, which recommends awards to senior management or the Board of Managers depending on grant size and funding sources. The website invites letters of inquiry for projects that advance its mission but do not fit an active grant program. The filing describes due diligence that may include reviewing an applicant’s charitable status or eligibility, application, public materials and financial information, selected site visits, and meetings with nonprofit staff. It also says grantees must certify that funds will be used for the intended purpose and meet any reporting requirements. The website states that it does not fund organizations, individuals, or projects based outside the United States; activities intended to influence specific legislation; or activities intended to influence a specific public election or conduct voter registration drives.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists James Friedlich as Chief Executive Officer of the LLC; Pedro A. Ramos as Secretary, President and CEO; Annie Madonia as Chief Advancement Officer of the LLC; and Ken Herts as Chief Operating Officer of the LLC. It also lists Orlando Esposito as TPF Chief Financial Officer through June 2024; Shawn Mooring as Head of Philadelphia Programs; Rebecca Forman as Head of Development and Donor Relations; Karen Cleary as Chief Financial Officer of the LLC; Joseph Lichterman as Head of Editorial and Communications; and Karen Morris as Controller of the LLC.
The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF is led by James Friedlich, Chief Executive Officer - Llc on every filing since 2020; 9 of 40 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
James Friedlich
Chief Executive Officer - Llc
On filings since 2020
37 hrs/week
$332K (2020) → $554K (2024)
Pedro A. Ramos
Secretary, President & CEO
On filings since 2020
1.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lon Greenberg
Chair
Vice Chair → Chair Jul & Vice Chair, 2023
Chair Jul & Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rosalind Remer
Chair - Llc
Vice Chair - Llc → Chair - Llc, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Annie Madonia
Chief Advancement Officer - Llc
Chief Advancement Officer - Llc → Chief Advancement Officer, 2021
Chief Advancement Officer → Chief Advancement Officer - Llc, 2022
On filings since 2020
37 hrs/week
$275K (2020) → $292K (2024)
Karen Cleary
Chief Financial Officer - Llc
On filings since 2020
28 hrs/week
$84K (2020) → $146K (2024)
Ken Herts
Chief Operating Officer - Llc
On filings since 2020
37 hrs/week
$268K (2020) → $316K (2024)
Rebecca Forman
Head of Development & Donor Relations -Llc
Director of Advancement - Llc → Head of Development & Donor Relations-Llc, 2022
Head of Development & Donor Relations-Llc → Head of Development & Donor Relations -Llc, 2024
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$157K (2020) → $189K (2024)
Joseph Lichterman
Head of Editorial & Comms - Llc
Committee & Editorial Director - Llc → Head of Editorial & Comms - Llc, 2022
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$108K (2021) → $143K (2024)
Shawn Mooring
Head of Philadelphia Programs - Llc
Program Director - Llc → Head of Philadelphia Programs & Llc, 2022
Head of Philadelphia Programs & Llc → Head of Philadelphia Programs - Llc, 2023
On filings since 2021
35 hrs/week
$129K (2021) → $174K (2024)
Karen Morris
Controller - Llc
Controller - Institute → Controller - Llc, 2024
On filings since 2022
35 hrs/week
$108K (2022) → $114K (2024)
Jacqueline Galiani
Human Resources Manager - Llc
New on the 2024 filing
35 hrs/week
$105K (2024)
Andrew Rogoff
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christina Mesires Fournaris
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Boardman
Manager - Llc
Chair - Llc → Manager - Llc, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Haas
Manager - Llc
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dixieanne James
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Evelyn McNiff
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hong Qu
Manager - Llc
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Scaccetti
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kate Allison
Board Member
Chair → Chair to Jun & Brd Member, 2023
Chair to Jun & Brd Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keith Leaphart
Manager - Llc
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael K. Pearson
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Orlando Esposito
Tpf Chief Financial Officer to Jun
Tpf Chief Financial Officer → Tpf Chief Financial Officer to Jun, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shirin Karsan
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vijay Ravindran
Manager - Llc
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William J. Burke
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Errin Haines
Manager - Llc
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sulaiman Rahman
Manager - Llc
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William P. Hankowsky
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Holly Flanagan
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendell Pritchett
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Sinis Badger
Manager - Llc
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Evan Urbania
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael X. Delli Carpini PhD
Vice Chair - Llc
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shelton Mercer III
Manager - Llc
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aldustus Aj Jordan
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christine Conti
Tpf Chief Financial & Administrator Officer
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lasharah Bunting
Manager - Llc
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sharmain Matlock-Turner
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: Martin Nisenholtz (2020–2023) — Manager - Llc
- Former: R. Duane Perry (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Roy Rosin (2020–2023) — Manager - Llc
- Former: Steven Scott Bradley (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Tony Haile (2020–2023) — Manager - Llc
- Former: Fernando Chang-Muy (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Diana Lu (2022–2023) — Director Local News Transformation Fd-Llc
- Former: Amy Kovac-Ashley (2023) — Head of National Programs - Llc
- Former: Kerry Benson (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Michael X. Delli Carpini Ph D. (2020–2022) — Vice Chair - Llc
- Former: Stephen A. Cozen (2020–2022) — Board Member to Feb
- Former: Amanda Bennett (2020–2021) — Manager - Llc
- Former: Janelle Stafford (2020–2021) — Managing Director - Llc
- Former: Mindy Posoff (2020–2021) — Vice Chair
- Former: Anthony J. Conti (2020) — Chair
- Former: Bill Grueskin (2020) — Manager - Llc
- Former: Francis J. Mirabello Esq. (2020) — Board Member
- Former: John Nihill (2020) — Board Member
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 $554K, to James Friedlich (Chief Executive Officer - LLC). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF
How much does The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF give each year?
The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF gave $15.0M across 97 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $13.6M across 58 grants.
What is The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF's typical grant size?
The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF's median grant in 2024 was $30,000, and its average grant was $154,366, across 97 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF give grants?
The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (54 grants), Chicago, IL (3 grants), Brooklyn, NY (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 97 grants with a stated purpose on The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "(A) = $50,000" (10 grants), "(E) = $10,000" (10 grants) and "(D) = $20,000" (5 grants).
Who are The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF's largest grantees?
The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF's largest 2024 grantees include The Philadelphia Inquirer ($7,847,500), Spotlight PA ($510,000) and Chicago Public Media Inc ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 59% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF?
The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF reported $133.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $26.1M.
What does The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF fund?
The funder’s mission is to receive, manage, and distribute assets in support of The Philadelphia Foundation by enabling quality local journalism that serves its communities. Its filing describes work across three categories: national programs, the Philadelphia news ecosystem, and The Inquirer. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF?
The website lists no grant opportunities open at this time. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF's EIN?
The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3731829. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 3, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF funds
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-lenfest-institute-for-journalism-special-asset-fund-of-tpf-morg_3be262852da64dfb8d22ca033cfa03b1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_043731829_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-lenfest-institute-for-journalism-special-asset-fund-of-tpf-morg_3be262852da64dfb8d22ca033cfa03b1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-23. 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 The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF'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.
The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF down — hundreds of funders to go?