NonprofitsIndependence Institute

Public & Societal Benefit

Independence Institute

DENVER, CO

Total revenue

$2.3M

Total expenses

$2.3M

Net assets

$6.2M

Grants received

$6.6M

151 grants

EIN

840990300

Tax year

2024

Mission

Independence institute is established upon the eternal truths of the declaration of independence. Founded in 1985, the independence institute is a non-partisan, non-profit public policy research organization, dedicated to providing timely information to concerned citizens, government officials and public opinion leaders. Unlike other organizations which seek government intervention as the best solution to public policy challenges, the independence institute seeks to explore all alternatives, emphasizing free market, private-sector solutions. The independence institute is recognized by friend and foe alike as one of the most effective organizations setting a freedom agenda for colorado and the united states. Through the institute's policy centers, areas of critical importance are addressed with a dedicated focus. The centers allow policy makers, the public and the media, access to a concentrated educational source of expertise and education on specific policy areas.

Programs

2 programs

Second amendment project - the second amendment project (sap) has established itself as the world's leading policy research center in the support of the right to keep and bear arms as laid out in the second amendment of the united states constitution. Sap director david kopel studies the legal precedents, news and opinions, in colorado, the united states and the world, to provide a constitutional perspective on topics ranging from legal reform to gun rights.

Expenses: $313K

Education policy center - calling for greater involvement of parents in the role of educating children, the independence institute was the first in the state to promote ideas such as open enrollment, charter schools, school report cards and vouchers. The education policy center, under the direction of pam benigno, continues its work in the areas of school choice and school accountability while also defending the rights of teachers and taxpayers from union abuses.

Expenses: $147K

Financials

FY 2024

Revenue

Contributions & grants$2.0M
Program service revenue
Investment income$244K
Other revenue$9K
Total revenue$2.3M

Expenses

Grants paid$100K
Salaries & benefits$1.3M
Fundraising$223K
Other expenses$843K
Total expenses$2.3M
Total assets$6.3M
Net assets$6.2M

People

7 listed

NameRoleCompensation

JON C CALDARA

PRESIDENT OF II

Board

$206K

40 hrs/wk

DICK WADHAMS

BOARD OF TRUSTEE

Board

1 hrs/wk

CATHERINE SHOPNECK

CHAIRMAN

Board

1 hrs/wk

DEBORAH DONNER

BOARD OF TRUSTEE

Board

1 hrs/wk

MARK HILLMAN

BOARD OF TRUSTEE

Board

1 hrs/wk

MIKE ROSEN

BOARD OF TRUSTEE

Board

1 hrs/wk

JOSEPH SMITH

BOARD OF TRUSTEE

Board

1 hrs/wk

Grants received

Showing 151 of 151

FromAmountPurposeYear
$268K
2nd Amendment Protection
2024
$100K
To support general operations
2024
$75K
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT - EDUCATION POLICY CENTER
2024
$75K
GENERAL OPERATING
2024
$71K
GENERAL PURPOSE
2024
$51K
for general operations
2024
$31K
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
2024
$25K
SUPPORT RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ABOUT PUBLIC POLICY
2024
$23K
GENERAL FUND
2024
$20K
RESTRICTED GRANT TO SUPPORT THE FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAM AND BUILDIING UPGRADES
2024
$20K
COMMUNITY
2024
$8K
GENERAL ASSISTANCE
2024
$500
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
2024
$50
CHARITABLE CAUSES
2024
$267K
2nd Amendment Protection
2023
$218K
GENERAL OPERATING
2023
$150K
To support general operations
2023
$78K
GENERAL PURPOSE
2023
$75K
GENERAL OPERATING GRANT
2023
$50K
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
2023
$50K
PUBLIC, SOCIETAL BENEFIT
2023
$47K
For grant recipient's exempt purposes
2023
$46K
FOR RECIPIENT'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
2023
$40K
GENERAL OPERATION SUPPORT
2023
$30K
RESTRICTED GRANT TO SUPPORT THE FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAM AND REACHING UNAFFILIATED VOTERS
2023
$30K
COMMUNITY
2023
$25K
GENERAL FUNDING
2023
$15K
for general operations
2023
$11K
Support exempt purpose
2023
$10K
FIREARM EDUCATION
2023
$10K
GENERAL PURPOSE
2023
$8K
CHARITABLE GIFT
2023
$6K
OPERATIONS
2023
$4K
FUNDS FOR OPERATION
2023
$3K
HANK BROWN CHAIR GRANT
2023
$3K
GRANT FOR MATCH - GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
2023
$1K
COLORADO GIVES DAY
2023
GENERAL FUND
2023
$268K
national grant
2022
$250K
GENERAL PURPOSE GRANT
2022
$161K
for general operations
2022
$153K
GENERAL OPERATING
2022
$150K
To support general operations
2022
$143K
For grant recipient's exempt purposes
2022
$100K
PUBLIC, SOCIETAL BENEFIT
2022
$75K
GENERAL OPERATING GRANT
2022
$68K
GENERAL PURPOSE
2022
$63K
PUBLIC, SOCIETAL BENEFIT
2022
$30K
RESTRICTED GRANT TO SUPPORT THE FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAM, THE NUCLEAR OPTION PROGRAM AND ECONOMIC RESEARCH ON PROGRESSIVE INCOME TAX
2022
$25K
EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, LITERARY, RELIGIOUS OR OTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSES
2022
$25K
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
2022
$25K
GENERAL FUNDING
2022
$20K
MONITOR THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
2022
$20K
COMMUNITY
2022
$19K
FOR RECIPIENT'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
2022
$13K
GENERAL FUND
2022
$10K
GENERAL PURPOSE
2022
$10K
Charitable gift
2022
$10K
Support exempt purpose
2022
$5K
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
2022
$4K
GENERAL PURPOSE
2022
$3K
HANK BROWN CHAIR GRANT
2022
$3K
FUNDS FOR OPERATION
2022
$2K
GIFT MATCH GRANTS
2022
$2K
OPERATING SUPPORT
2022
$2K
TO SUPPORT EXEMPT ORGANIZATION
2022
$1K
COLORADO GIVES DAY
2022
$750
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
2022
$148K
ECONOMIC FREEDOM RESEARCH
2021
$114K
PUBLIC, SOCIETAL BENEFIT
2021
$75K
GENERAL OPERATIONS
2021
$50K
THE EDUCATION POLICY CENTER
2021
$42K
For grant recipient's exempt purposes
2021
$42K
For grant recipient's exempt purposes
2021
$30K
UNRESTRICTED GRANT SUPPORTING FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAM, COLORADO TAXPAYER'S BILL OF RIGHTS, AND FREEDOM EMBASSY WATER REPAIR
2021
$28K
PUBLIC, SOCIETAL BENEFIT
2021
$26K
For recipient's exempt purpose
2021
$18K
GENERAL FUNDING
2021
$15K
General operating support
2021
$13K
GENERAL FUND
2021
$10K
Charitable gift
2021
$10K
FIREARM EDUCATION
2021
$10K
GENERAL PURPOSE
2021
$5K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2021
$4K
FUNDS FOR OPERATION
2021
$3K
PROGRAM SPECIFIC
2021
$1K
COLORADO GIVES DAY
2021
$1K
Further Org Purpose
2021
$1K
AID TO COMMUNITY
2021
$500
General Donation
2021
$250K
GENERAL SUPPORT
2020
$200K
PUBLIC, SOCIETAL BENEFIT
2020
$150K
GENERAL ASSISTANCE
2020
$150K
To support general operations
2020
$75K
ECONOMIC FREEDOM RESEARCH; GENERAL OPERATING
2020
$75K
general operating
2020
$64K
GENERAL PURPOSE
2020
$50K
EDUCATION POLICY CENTER
2020
$38K
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
2020
$36K
For grant recipient's exempt purposes
2020
$33K
PUBLIC, SOCIETAL BENEFIT
2020
$25K
THE INDEPENDENCE INSTITUTE'S RESEARCH PROGRAM INCLUDES SEVEN CENTERS TO FURTHER INDEPENDENT'S SCHOLARLY AND EDUCATIONAL MISSION.
2020
$25K
COMMUNITY
2020
$25K
GENERAL FUNDING
2020
$25K
COVID-19 PARENT OUTREACH
2020
$25K
GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET
2020
$25K
for general operations
2020
$20K
RESTRICTED GRANT TO SUPPORT THE FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAM & FREEDOM EMBASSY SECURITY UPGRADE
2020
$20K
General Support: Domestic Public Policy
2020
$20K
EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, LITERARY, RELIGIOUS OR OTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSES.
2020
$14K
FOR RECIPIENT'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
2020
$11K
GENERAL FUND
2020
$11K
Charitable gift
2020
$10K
INTERN PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL REFORM
2020
$10K
Support exempt purpose
2020
$10K
GENERAL PURPOSE
2020
$5K
General operating support
2020
$3K
UNRESTRICTED GRANT
2020
$3K
program-specific
2020
$3K
FUNDS FOR OPERATION
2020
$1K
GIFT MATCHING GRANT
2020
$1K
Further Org Purpose
2020
$1K
COLORADO GIVES DAY
2020
$500
General Donation
2020
$100
MATCHING EMPLOYEE DONATION
2020
$113K
PUBLIC, SOCIETAL BENEFIT
2019
$75K
general operating
2019
$58K
GENERAL PURPOSE
2019
$27K
PUBLIC, SOCIETAL BENEFIT
2019
$12K
For grant recipient's exempt purposes
2019
$3K
program-specific
2019
$109K
ECONOMIC FREEDOM RESEARCH
2018
$102K
For grant recipient's exempt purposes
2018
$31K
PUBLIC, SOCIETAL BENEFIT
2018
$10K
GENERAL PURPOSE
2018
$7K
General Fund
2018
$6K
Charitable gift
2018
$2K
GENERAL FUND
2018
$38K
PUBLIC CHARITY
2017

Funded by

$6.6M from 53 funders · 151 grants · 2017–2024

Nra Foundation Inc

$803K · 3 grants · 2022–2024

State Policy Network

$777K · 6 grants · 2018–2024

National Philanthropic Trust

$736K · 6 grants · 2017–2023

The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation Inc

$550K · 4 grants · 2020–2024

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund

$424K · 7 grants · 2018–2023

Colorado Opportunity Foundation

$400K · 2 grants · 2020–2022

Adolph Coors Foundation

$390K · 10 grants · 2019–2023

Colorado Gives Foundation

$339K · 5 grants · 2019–2024

Details

EIN840990300
NTEE codeW00F
Subsection03
Ruling date1985-08
Formed1985
Employees20
Volunteers0
INDEPENDENCE INSTITUTE — Mission, Financials & Grants Received | Grantivo