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Freedom Together Foundation

Annual Giving
$424.0M
Grant Range
$297K - $0.9M

Freedom Together Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $424 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly specified
  • Grant Range: $297,000 - $890,000 (average grants)
  • Geographic Focus: National (United States) with specific New York City program
  • Application Method: Invitation only / no public application process

Contact Details

Address: New York, NY
Phone: (212) 935-9860
Email: info@freedomtogether.org
Website: https://www.freedomtogether.org

Overview

The Freedom Together Foundation (formerly the JPB Foundation) was established in 2011 by Barbara Picower and rebranded in December 2024. With total assets of $2.75 billion and annual giving of approximately $424 million (2023), it has rapidly become one of the most important funders of progressive movement building in the United States. From 2012 through 2023, the foundation distributed $2.7 billion across 3,900 grants. In 2023, the foundation underwent a major strategic shift from centering issue areas (poverty, environment, and medical research) to centering its work around democracy and movement building. In February 2024, Deepak Bhargava, a veteran organizer with over 30 years in social justice movements, became president. Under his leadership, the foundation committed nearly $500 million for 2024 grantmaking—approximately a 40% increase from 2022 levels—and authorized spending up to double the required minimum payout for private foundations for the next two years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation supports five key program areas:

  • Democracy, Gender, and Racial Justice: Supporting efforts to expand multiracial democracy by protecting and strengthening democratic institutions and rights, including voting rights, protest rights, and combating authoritarianism and assaults on the rights of people of color, immigrants, women, and LGBTQ+ people
  • Community and Worker Power: Building grassroots organizing and worker organizing capacity
  • Movement Infrastructure and Explorations: Supporting field-building efforts and infrastructure for social movements
  • Faith, Bridging, and Belonging: Investing in bridging divides and building inclusive communities
  • Reproductive Justice, Medical Research, and NYC Community Grants: Continuing longstanding support for reproductive health, cutting-edge medical research to promote human flourishing, and selected projects in New York City

Grant Amounts: Average grant to new grantees is $297,013; average grant to repeat grantees is $890,202. Median grant size is $500,000.

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on:

  • Racial justice
  • Gender and reproductive justice
  • Immigrant rights and economic justice
  • Environmental and climate justice (particularly ensuring benefits of federal legislation reach low-income communities of color)
  • Democracy protection and expansion
  • Grassroots organizing and movement building
  • Worker power and community organizing
  • Multiracial coalition building

The foundation prioritizes equity and movement building across all issue areas and supports small, mid-sized, and larger organizations throughout the United States.

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not fund:

  • Unsolicited proposals (invitation-only grantmaking)
  • Organizations outside their pre-identified strategic focus areas

Governance and Leadership

Barbara Picower - President Emerita and Chair. Founder of the foundation in 2011, Barbara Picower led the organization through its first decade, overseeing the distribution of $2.7 billion in grants.

Deepak Bhargava - President (as of February 2024). Brings over 30 years of work in social justice movements to his role. Prior to joining Freedom Together Foundation, he led Community Change for 16 years, where he worked to strengthen the community organizing field and launched coalitions to achieve major policy reforms at the federal level on issues such as poverty, health care, and immigration.

Bhargava has stated: "Protecting and expanding democracy demands that we build power with those who have been denied it, and that we invest in grassroots organizations and movements." He emphasizes that "foundations need to be superb listeners, and they need to be a part of communities of practice trying to address the biggest challenges of our time. That means rolling up your sleeves and getting out into the community, listening to the community, asking questions, having opinions certainly, but being in dialogue and being open to new ideas, perspectives, and leadership."

Senior Leadership Team (as of 2024):

  • Rakim Brooks - Senior Vice President of Risk and Legal Strategies (formerly President of Alliance for Justice)
  • Senior Program Officers including Anne Greengard and Mark Harris (Community and Worker Power)
  • Fellows including Lisa Abbott (Senior Fellow, Community and Worker Power), Mariana Ruiz Firmat (Senior Fellow, Movement Infrastructure and Explorations), and Darlene Nipper (Visiting Senior Fellow, Movement Infrastructure and Explorations)

The foundation employs 59 staff members.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Freedom Together Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

According to foundation observers, "cultivating a relationship with the President or senior-level staff is essential to receiving an invitation to apply."

The foundation identifies potential grantees through its staff's deep engagement in social justice fields, its existing grantee networks, and strategic outreach aligned with its funding priorities.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on documented information about this funder:

  • Current grantee referrals: The foundation operates through networks of organizations. Being connected to or recommended by current grantees can provide pathways to the foundation's attention.
  • Field leadership: The foundation seeks organizations that are building power and leading in democracy and social justice movements. Demonstrating significant impact and leadership in racial justice, democracy work, immigrant rights, climate justice, or related fields may attract attention.
  • President and senior staff engagement: Direct contact with President Deepak Bhargava or senior program staff is noted as "essential to receiving an invitation to apply." This suggests attending conferences, convenings, or events where foundation leadership participates may provide networking opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only funder, timelines are likely customized to specific grantee relationships and funding cycles.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. With 504 awards made in 2023 from a pool of pre-selected organizations, competition is limited to invited applicants only.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable—there is no public application process. Organizations in relationship with the foundation may receive renewed or additional funding through ongoing dialogue with program staff.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities and Approach

Movement Building Focus: The foundation explicitly shifted its strategy in 2023 to center democracy and movement building. Organizations should demonstrate how their work builds grassroots power and contributes to larger movements for social change.

Values Alignment: President Deepak Bhargava emphasizes that "The defense of democracy requires a big tent." The foundation values multiracial coalition building and bridging divides while maintaining focus on communities that have been denied power.

Listening and Partnership: Bhargava has stated that "The ethic of supporting grantees and people close to the ground and listening really carefully—that will all continue." The foundation sees itself as a partner in movements, not just a funder. They value organizations that engage in dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.

Hub and Network Strategy: The foundation pursues an innovative philanthropic strategy that surrounds "hub" organizations with complementary support from other organizations, amplifying impact and facilitating collaborative action. Organizations should understand where they fit within broader movement ecosystems.

Flexible Support: Evidence suggests the foundation provides flexible funding that allows organizations to pursue their own strategies and missions rather than strictly project-based funding.

Scale and Scope: The foundation supports organizations of all sizes—small, mid-sized, and larger organizations—throughout the United States. They are committed to both grassroots organizing and larger infrastructure-building efforts.

Recent Grantee Examples

Recent grantees include:

  • United We Dream Network (immigrant rights)
  • Alliance for Youth Organizing
  • National Immigration Law Center
  • Regional Plan Association (NYC)
  • Harlem Children's Zone (NYC)
  • Fund for Public Health in New York City
  • Studio Museum in Harlem
  • New York Public Library
  • Fund to Build Grassroots Power (climate justice intermediary, $6+ million)

These examples demonstrate support for direct service, policy advocacy, organizing, infrastructure, and cultural institutions aligned with the foundation's values.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invitation-only funder: Do not submit unsolicited proposals. Focus on building relationships with current grantees, demonstrating field leadership, and connecting with foundation staff at conferences and convenings.
  • Democracy and movement building are central: Frame your work in terms of building power for communities that have been denied it and contributing to multiracial democracy and social justice movements.
  • Think ecosystem, not just your organization: The foundation values how organizations fit within broader networks and movements. Demonstrate collaborative relationships and how you complement other organizations' work.
  • Show grassroots connection: The foundation prioritizes listening to and supporting people close to the ground. Demonstrate authentic community leadership and accountability.
  • Prepare for substantial, flexible funding: With average grants ranging from $297,000 to $890,000 and a median of $500,000, the foundation makes significant investments. Be ready to articulate how flexible support would enable your organization to pursue its mission.
  • Align with the foundation's doubled commitment: The foundation has authorized spending up to double the required minimum payout for the next two years, reflecting urgent commitment to democracy work. Position your organization as responding to current threats and opportunities.
  • Connect with President Deepak Bhargava's vision: His emphasis on "rolling up your sleeves," being "superb listeners," and building a "big tent" for democracy reflects the foundation's culture and priorities.

References

All sources accessed December 2024

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