Unbound Philanthropy is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2003 and based in New York City. The organization takes a holistic approach to supporting the rights and wellbeing of immigrants and refugees in the United States and United Kingdom. It operates with a specific, dual-market focus on these two countries and is known for being a highly proactive and progressive funder with clearly defined objectives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$198.4M
+5.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$8.1M
-15.7% YoY
Grant Count
104
-14.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$77K
-1.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Vision: A just and vibrant society where we can all flourish, upholding human dignity, valuing diversity, and embracing common humanity.
Mission: To invest in leaders and organizations in the US and UK working to build a vibrant, welcoming society and just immigration system, as part of a pluralist and inclusive democracy.
The foundation's work is rooted in core values centered on honoring the dignity of all human beings. The organization recognizes that migration can bring opportunities to immigrants and the places they settle, and seeks to ensure migration is a positive force contributing to shared prosperity for all.
Strategic Approaches:
- Activate Public Support: Deepening and activating public support for a society where all people, including immigrants, belong and can thrive
- Ensure a Fair System: Seeking a safe, fair, and orderly immigration system that honors the dignity of all people and advances the common good
- Strengthen Belonging: Striving for welcoming communities where all residents, including immigrants and their neighbors, belong and can fully participate in social, civic, and economic life
Key Initiatives:
- Climate Mobility: Supporting people on the move in the era of climate change
- Labor
Grantmaking
Unbound Philanthropy provides multi-year general support as well as project-specific grants. The foundation also supports grantees by facilitating collaborations and alliances, and provides fundraising and other capacity-building support.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Unbound Philanthropy maintains a dual geographic focus on the United States and the United Kingdom. Within the US, primary grantmaking has focused on New York, California, and the District of Columbia. The foundation has been seeking to bridge the gap between its US and UK grantmaking in recent years.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total Assets: $198,446,689
- Total Revenue: $10,895,646
- Total Expenses: $14,437,710
- Total Giving: $8,053,735
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total Assets: $188,351,261
- Total Revenues: $6,920,039
- Total Expenses: $15,540,620
Staffing:
- 12 employees (as of 2023)
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since June 2014
- EIN: 83-0411606
- Private non-operating foundation
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $198,446,689 | $188,351,261 | $190,457,337 |
| Revenue | $10,895,646 | $6,920,039 | $7,079,789 |
| Expenses | $14,437,710 | $15,540,620 | $13,425,886 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $13,861,094 | $14,526,982 | $14,227,434 |
| Net Investment Income | $10,142,460 | $6,000,794 | $9,283,935 |
| Distributable Amount | $9,178,714 | $10,362,658 | $9,481,584 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Funding for the organization comes from Debbie Berger and William Reeves, a financier who cofounded BlueCrest Capital Management, a hedge fund which manages tens of billions of dollars for institutional investors around the world. Reeves also serves on the foundation.
Taryn Higashi serves as Executive Director.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEBORAH K BERGER | DIRECTOR, BOARD CHAIR, SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| HILARY ANN WEINSTEIN | DIRECTOR, VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM HUNTINGTON REEVES | DIRECTOR, TREASURER | 1 | — |
| KIKILIA FORDHAM | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TARYN HIGASHI | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $442,821 |
| JOSEPH MATARA | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $336,943 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been increasingly active in connecting climate justice with migration rights as part of its evolving theory of change. Leadership has engaged in public discourse on climate mobility and community resilience, including commentary on lessons from Hurricane Katrina and how funders can support communities in becoming more resilient, equitable, and welcoming.
The organization announced the appointment of three new staff members, reflecting its continued growth and commitment to its mission.
Unbound Philanthropy Announces the Appointment of Three New Staff MembersSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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