The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF logo

The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF

Public charity · Grantmaker Philadelphia, PA EIN: 04-3731829 Website

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.

Key facts about The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF

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.

EIN
04-3731829
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$14,973,490
Grants made (2024)
97
Average grant
$154,366
Median grant
$30,000
Total assets
$133,928,628
Primary geography
Pennsylvania (76% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
How to apply
The website lists no grant opportunities open at this time. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$133.9M

+7.5% YoY

Annual Giving

$15.0M

+10.4% YoY

Grant Count

97

+67.2% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$154K

-34.0% YoY

How The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF gives

  • 28% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 54% from 2021 to 2024. Method

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.

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.

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.

Open Grants

2 open opportunities from The Lenfest Institute for Journalism Special Asset Fund of TPF

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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

38states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 97 itemized grants.

Cities

PhiladelphiaNew YorkBrooklynWashingtonChicagoSan FranciscoSanta CruzDurhamAtlantaChalfontYeadonBala CynwydBreaChesterCollegevilleDallasDenverHarrisburgLos AngelesMinneapolis

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$10M$20M$30M108 grants2020 22 grants2021 70 grants2022 58 grants2023 97 grants2024

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.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

The Philadelphia Inquirer: $7.8MThe Philadelphia Inquirer$7.8MSpotlight PA: $510KSpotlight PA$510KChicago Public Media Inc: $500KChicago Public Media Inc$500KNewsday LLC: $500KNewsday LLC$500KSeattle Times Company: $500KSeattle Times Company$500KStar Tribune Media Intermediate Holdings Company II: $500KStar Tribune MediaIntermediate Holdings Company…$500KCambridge Artificial Intelligence Inc: $475KCambridge ArtificialIntelligence Inc$475KFederation of Neighborhood Centers Inc: $325KFederation of NeighborhoodCenters Inc$325KThe Haitian Times: $277KThe Haitian Times$277KNueva Esperanza Inc: $237KNueva Esperanza Inc$237K

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

183<$50K56$50–100K83$100–250K12$250–500K7$500K–1M9$1–5M5$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 183 grants of 355 (52%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
The Philadelphia Inquirer Philadelphia, PAThe 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

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2024 $133,928,628 $26,054,320 $22,756,190 $14,973,490
2023 $124,527,937 $31,951,841 $21,808,175 $13,558,347
2022 $107,280,135 $41,516,736 $21,565,100 $15,763,558

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.

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$20M$40M$60M2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$133,928,628$124,527,937$107,280,135
Revenue$26,054,320$31,951,841$41,516,736
Expenses$22,756,190$21,808,175$21,565,100
Net Investment Income$4,349,761$2,059,008$1,678,832

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 8, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 6, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 3, 2025)
  6. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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

James Friedlich — Chief Executive Officer - LLC: $554KJames FriedlichChief Executive Officer - LLC$554KKen Herts — Chief Operating Officer - LLC: $316KKen HertsChief Operating Officer - LLC$316KAnnie Madonia — Chief Advancement Officer - LLC: $292KAnnie MadoniaChief Advancement Officer - LLC$292KRebecca Forman — Head of Devel & Donor Relations -LLC: $189KRebecca FormanHead of Devel & Donor Relations…$189KShawn Mooring — Head of Philadelphia Programs - LLC: $174KShawn MooringHead of Philadelphia Programs…$174KKaren Cleary — Chief Financial Officer - LLC: $146KKaren ClearyChief Financial Officer - LLC$146KJoseph Lichterman — Head of Editorial and Comms - LLC: $143KJoseph LichtermanHead of Editorial and Comms…$143KKaren Morris — Controller - LLC: $114KKaren MorrisController - LLC$114KJacqueline Galiani — Human Resources Manager - LLC: $105KJacqueline GalianiHuman Resources Manager - LLC$105K

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.

Contact

Mailing address: 1835 Market Street 2410, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 563-6417
Website: https://lenfestinstitute.org

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.

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