Uncommon Individual Foundation
The Uncommon Individual Foundation (UIF) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1986 by Dr. Richard E. Caruso, the foundation operates as a leader in mentor-based learning. UIF helps individuals and organizations succeed by providing subject-matter mentoring in business, education, media, and technology. The organization combines its role as a grantmaking foundation with direct programming in mentoring and curriculum development.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$70.6M
-3.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.5M
+71.0% YoY
Grant Count
2
-93.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$734K
+2464.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Uncommon Individual Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Dr. Caruso attributes his entrepreneurial success to the mentors he encountered throughout his life, and UIF represents his commitment to "mentoring it forward." The foundation supports initiatives across several key areas:
- Education — including college and career access and curriculum development
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Health and Diseases and Conditions
- Business and Entrepreneurship
- Media and Technology
The foundation provides in-person and virtual mentoring programs, curriculum resources, and learning opportunities designed to help students, educators, and entrepreneurs succeed.
Grantmaking
The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program. Recent grant activity includes:
Grant Range
** $126 (median)
Average Grant
amount:** $102–$496,605
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports projects primarily in:
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- Texas
- New York
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- Maryland
- Connecticut
The foundation supports projects in major cities including Philadelphia, New York, and Boston.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (as of 2024):
- Total assets: $70.6M–$73.4M
- Total revenue (2024): $2.5M
- Total expenses (2024): $4.63M
- Total liabilities (2024): $273k
Previous Year (2023):
- Total assets: $73,360,386
- Total revenue: $2,448,976
- Total expenses: $3,901,946
Staffing:
- Employees: 11–19 staff members
- Annual revenue: $3.7M
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $70,551,410 | $73,360,386 | $75,904,935 |
| Revenue | $2,496,656 | $2,448,976 | $3,799,427 |
| Expenses | $4,634,760 | $3,901,946 | $3,470,837 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,501,465 | $3,714,447 | $3,125,765 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,243,048 | $1,701,516 | $3,278,825 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,461,331 | $3,539,841 | $4,042,114 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
74 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Various - See Schedule ($1,396,086), Various - See Schedule ($72,750).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Various - See Schedule Various See Schedule, PA | Scholarships | $72,750 |
| Various - See Schedule Various See Schedule, PA | Program Support | $1,396,086 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel include:
- Jerry Holtz — President and Chief Executive Officer
- John C. Crosby — Executive Director (full-time, $130,000 compensation)
- Lucy Lopez — Chief Communications Officer ($111,300)
- Joseph Lopez — Managing Director
- Michael Hackman — Managing Director
- Gary DiLella — Board Member
- Sally E. Caruso — Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sally E Caruso | Secretary | — | — |
| John C Crosby | Executive Director | 40 | $130,000 |
| Gary R DiLella | VP & Treas | 10 | — |
| Gerald N Holtz | President | 10 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation maintains an active news section on its website at uif.org/latest-news/, documenting recent grant announcements and organizational updates. The foundation has been tax-exempt since December 1986 and continues to expand its mentoring programs and grantmaking activities.
Unlikely Collaborators Awards Grant to Foundation for Energy Therapies, Inc.Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Uncommon Individual Foundation fund?
Dr. Caruso attributes his entrepreneurial success to the mentors he encountered throughout his life, and UIF represents his commitment to "mentoring it forward." The foundation supports initiatives across several key areas: • **Education** — including college and career access and curriculum development • **Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking** • **Human Services** • **Health and Diseases and Conditions** • **Business and Entrepreneurship** • **Media and Technology** The foundation provides…
How do I apply for a grant from Uncommon Individual Foundation?
The foundation maintains an active grantmaking program. Recent grant activity includes: • **Total giving (2023):** $859,174 • **Average grant amount:** $102–$496,605 • **Typical grant size:** $126 (median) • **Total grants awarded (previous year):** 7,190 Recent grantees include: • New Jersey Scholars Program ($30,000) • Camp Hope for Kids ($25,000) • Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors ($25,000) The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Where does Uncommon Individual Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports projects primarily in: • Pennsylvania • New Jersey • Texas • New York • Massachusetts • Rhode Island • Virginia • Maryland • Connecticut The foundation supports projects in major cities including Philadelphia, New York, and Boston.
What size grants does Uncommon Individual Foundation award?
In 2024, Uncommon Individual Foundation awarded 2 grants totaling $1.5M — an average of about $734K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Uncommon Individual Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Uncommon Individual Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Uncommon Individual Foundation's EIN?
Uncommon Individual Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2741682. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Uncommon Individual Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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