The mission of Independence Foundation is to build leadership, provide services, and encourage systems and cultural change through the support of organizations in the fields of healthcare, human services, legal aid, and the arts. The Foundation invests in people and programs that protect, improve and enrich the life experiences of residents of Philadelphia and its surrounding Pennsylvania counties, with a focus on the vulnerable and excluded.
Independence Foundation’s most distinctive pattern is its sustained support for public interest law fellowships in Philadelphia. In 2024, Community Legal Services Inc received $166,496 for the Public Interest Law Fellowship Program, and the same fellowship line also supported the American Civil Liberties Foundation of Pennsylvania, The Public Interest Law Center, Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center Inc, and Nationalities Service Center of Philadelphia. That emphasis sits alongside support for health care, human services, arts organizations, and legal aid serving Philadelphia and surrounding Pennsylvania counties. The foundation’s recent giving shows a mix of institutional support and direct service funding. Project Home received multiple grants in 2023 and 2024 for healthcare services and supportive healthcare at the Hub of Hope, Prevention Point, and the Stephen Klein Wellness Center. Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates was funded for both general support and the Mural Arts’ Restorative Justice Project, linking arts participation with community change. Planned Parenthood Southeastern PA and Pennsylvania Health Access Network also appear in the recent grants list, pointing to a health portfolio that includes access, equity, and affordability. Independence Foundation also funds fellowships for individuals through its arts and health and human services programs, and it supports organizations with operating and program grants rather than short-term project-only awards. Its work is concentrated on Philadelphia residents and nearby Pennsylvania communities, especially vulnerable and excluded populations.
Public interest legal services are a central theme. Community Legal Services Inc received $166,496 for the Public Interest Law Fellowship Program, while the American Civil Liberties Foundation of Pennsylvania and The Public Interest Law Center each received fellowship support for the same program. Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center Inc and Nationalities Service Center of Philadelphia also appeared in that fellowship line, showing a sustained interest in legal representation and training. Health care and access to care are another major thread. Project Home received support for healthcare services at the Stephen Klein Wellness Center and Hub of Hope, and Pennsylvania Health Access Network received funding for general support as well as advancing equity and affordability in health care during COVID. Lch Health and Community Services was funded for general support and for the Care Management Initiative. The foundation also backs food and housing-related human services. Share Food Program Inc received support for the Delaware County Food Bank and for the Health & Human Services Fellowship Program, and Philabundance received general support. Arts funding is present too, including Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates for general support and for the Mural Arts’ Restorative Justice Project.
$3.5M
$78.1M
$8.2M
$6.4M
Most grants fall between $5K and $15K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Typical awards cluster tightly around small operating grants: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $7,500, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. The recent grants list also includes a smaller set of larger awards tied to fellowships and multi-part support. Independence Foundation is a Regular Funder, not a DAF vehicle, and it makes no program-related investments. Its pattern is consistent with ongoing support rather than one-time grants alone: multiple recipients appear in both 2023 and 2024, including Project Home, Planned Parenthood Southeastern PA, Pennsylvania Health Access Network, and Community Legal Services Inc. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications for fellowships, while its operating and initiative grants do not.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local and centered on Pennsylvania: 97% of grants go to recipients in the state. Philadelphia dominates the recent grants list, with additional awards in Kennett Square. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 988 grants to U.S. organizations. The foundation’s active programs are aimed at Philadelphia and surrounding Pennsylvania counties, including the five-county Philadelphia region for the senior attorney sabbatical program.
It funds organizations in healthcare, human services, legal aid, and the arts. Recent grants show support for public interest legal services, healthcare access and delivery, food assistance, restorative justice through the arts, and operating support for community-based nonprofits in Philadelphia and nearby Pennsylvania counties.
The foundation’s typical award size is modest and centered on operating support: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $7,500, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. Several active grant programs are also listed in the $5,000–$10,000 range.
Yes. It offers fellowships for individuals in the arts and in health and human services, and it also runs a Senior Attorney Sabbaticals program for senior public interest attorneys in the Philadelphia region. Recent fellowship grants include support for legal fellowships through nonprofit organizations.
Some fellowship programs accept unsolicited applications, including Health & Human Services Fellowships, Fellowships in the Arts, and Senior Attorney Sabbaticals. By contrast, the main operating grant programs for human services, health care, arts, and legal aid do not accept unsolicited applications.
Its giving is concentrated in Pennsylvania, with 97% of grants going to recipients in that state. Philadelphia is the main city in the recent grants list, and the foundation also funds organizations in nearby communities such as Kennett Square.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Independence Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations located in Philadelphia or surrounding counties; returning grantees seeking renewal are contacted by staff.
Deadline: Accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year; best submitted early in the calendar year for possible inclusion in current funding cycles.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION OF NON- PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS | HARRISBURG, PA | $200,000 | 2026 | LEGAL CLEARINGHOUSE / POLICY COORDINATION, NONPROFIT NAVIGATORE AND OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $185,318 | 2026 | PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FELLOWSHIP |
| FELLOWSHIP PAYMENT | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $115,000 | 2026 | FELLOWSHIP PAYMENTS |
| PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $95,000 | 2026 | IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE EMERGENCY FUND, PHILLY GIVES, REGIONAL FOOD FUND |
| PENNSYLVANIA INSTITUTIONAL LAW PROJECT | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $89,984 | 2026 | PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FELLOWSHIP |
| FRIENDS OF FARMWORKERS INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $87,468 | 2026 | PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FELLOWSHIP |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD SOUTHEASTERN PA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $81,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PENNSYLVANIA HEALTH LAW PROJECT | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $80,928 | 2026 | PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FELLOWSHIP |
| PROJECT HOME | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $75,000 | 2026 | HEALTHCARE SERVICES AT STEPHEN KLEIN WELLNESS CENTER / HUB FOR HOPE |
| PENNSYLVANIA HEALTH ACCESS NETWORK | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PHILADELPHIA MURAL ARTS ADVOCATES | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $70,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $69,880 | 2026 | TEACHING NURSING HOME PROJECT |
| COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SENIORLAW CENTER | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT / CARIE ADVOCACY TRANSITION |
| PHILABUNDANCE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $57,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT / EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT |
| LEGAL CLINIC FOR THE DISABLED INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $57,252 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT W/ PULIC INTEREST LAW FELLOWSHIP |
| WOMENS LAW PROJECT | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $52,000 | 2026 | CHALLENGE GRANT FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF WOMEN'S LAW PROJECT |
| LCH HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES | KENNETT SQ, PA | $51,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OPERA PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA AND SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY | PHILADEPLHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2026 | COORDINATED CAPACITY STRENGTHENING INITIATIVE |
| ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PREVENTION POINT PHILADELPHIA INCORPORATED | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PUENTES DE SALUD | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2026 | PUENTES DE SALUD HEALTH PROGRAM |
| SEACHANGE CAPITAL PARTNERS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | NONPROFIT REPOSITIONING FUND |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES FOUNDATION OF PENNSYLVANIA INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $46,578 | 2026 | PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FELLOWSHIP |
| NATIONALITIES SERVICE CENTER OF PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $44,040 | 2026 | PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FELLOWSHIP |
| PHILADELPHIA LEGAL ASSISTANCE CENTER INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $39,374 | 2026 | PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FELLOWSHIP |
| INTEGRATE FOR GOOD INC | CREAMERY, PA | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT / JIMENEZ STRATESIES' 2026 TECH AND FUNDRAISING BOOT CAMP |
| LEGAL AID SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA INC | NORRISTOWN, PA | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE FOUNDATION FOR DELAWARE COUNTY | MEDIA, PA | $35,000 | 2026 | PA FIRE |
| PHILADELPHIA LEGAL ASSISTANCE CENTER INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT / SENIOR ATTORNEY SABBATICAL PROGRAM |
| REGIONAL HOUSING LEGAL SERVICES | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $32,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| STUDENTS RUN PHILLY STYLE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $32,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT / CHALLENGE GRANT |
| SHARE FOOD PROGRAM INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $26,000 | 2026 | DELAWARE COUNTY FOOD BANK |
| PHILADELPHIA MURAL ARTS ADVOCATES | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | RESTORATIVE JUSTICE GUILD PROGRAM / WOMEN'S REENTRY |
| CARPENTERS COMPANY OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | CHALLENGE GRANT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONTINENTAL CONGRESS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD KEYSTONE | ALLENTOWN, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | OPERATING SUPPORT FOR BUCKS COUNTY HEALTH CENTERS |
| PENNSYLVANIA BALLET ASSOCIATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| METROPOLITAN AREA NEIGHBORHOOD NUTRITION ALLIANCE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | 19130 ZIP CODE PROJECT |
| FRINGEARTS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE FOOD TRUST | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PHILADELPHIA YOUTH FOR CHANGE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | CHALLENGE GRANT |
| PROJECT HOME | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE SCRIBE VIDEO CENTER INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JUVENILE LAW CENTER | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN FIRST PA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN |
| CANINE PARTNERS FOR LIFE | COCHRANVILLE, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YOUR AGENCY INCORPORATED | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | 2:1 CHALLENGE GRANT FOR THE CREATION OF THE MINISTRY OF AWE |
| MANN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION OF NON- PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
$200,000LEGAL CLEARINGHOUSE / POLICY COORDINATION, NONPROFIT NAVIGATORE AND OPERATING SUPPORT
FELLOWSHIP PAYMENT
$115,000FELLOWSHIP PAYMENTS
IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE EMERGENCY FUND, PHILLY GIVES, REGIONAL FOOD FUND
HEALTHCARE SERVICES AT STEPHEN KLEIN WELLNESS CENTER / HUB FOR HOPE
TEACHING NURSING HOME PROJECT
GENERAL SUPPORT W/ PULIC INTEREST LAW FELLOWSHIP
CHALLENGE GRANT FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF WOMEN'S LAW PROJECT
COORDINATED CAPACITY STRENGTHENING INITIATIVE
PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FELLOWSHIP
PUBLIC INTEREST LAW FELLOWSHIP
INTEGRATE FOR GOOD INC
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT / JIMENEZ STRATESIES' 2026 TECH AND FUNDRAISING BOOT CAMP
GENERAL SUPPORT / SENIOR ATTORNEY SABBATICAL PROGRAM
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE GUILD PROGRAM / WOMEN'S REENTRY
CARPENTERS COMPANY OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF PHILADELPHIA
$25,000CHALLENGE GRANT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
OPERATING SUPPORT FOR BUCKS COUNTY HEALTH CENTERS
FRINGEARTS
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE SCRIBE VIDEO CENTER INC
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
YOUR AGENCY INCORPORATED
$25,0002:1 CHALLENGE GRANT FOR THE CREATION OF THE MINISTRY OF AWE
