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Nonprofiteer
← FREEDOM HOUSE INC

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by FREEDOM HOUSE INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$69,437,963
Total expenses
$71,571,850
Contributions and grants received
$69,269,823
Grants paid
$32,526,521
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$326,175
Other revenue
-$158,035
Total assets, end of year
$34,175,942
Total liabilities, end of year
$17,748,515
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$16,427,427
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$69,133,582
Management and general expenses
$635,474
Fundraising expenses
$1,802,794
Program service expenses (Part III)
$69,133,582

Program services were 96.6% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $1,061,291

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $64,078,135

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $4,130,397

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $140,022

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $326,175 · excluded $326,175

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $655 · excluded $655

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $20,300

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $1,061,291

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $179,699

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$159,399 · excluded -$159,399

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE

    total $709 · excluded $709

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $709

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $16,282,236 · program services $16,282,236

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $16,244,285 · program services $16,244,285

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $2,258,287 · program services $381,380 · management and general $1,745,485 · fundraising $131,422

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $16,853,029 · program services $10,087,943 · management and general $5,873,322 · fundraising $891,764

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $1,297,871 · program services $1,424,223 · management and general -$114,867 · fundraising -$11,485

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $5,827,965 · program services $5,765,234 · management and general $67,817 · fundraising -$5,086

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $1,946,633 · program services $1,946,633

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $528,031 · management and general $528,031

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $234,526 · management and general $234,526

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $275,905 · fundraising $275,905

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $27,540 · management and general $27,540

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $3,369,337 · program services $2,283,240 · management and general $947,738 · fundraising $138,359

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $1,342,255 · program services $723,728 · management and general $587,732 · fundraising $30,795

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $974,247 · program services $56,821 · management and general $917,426

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $1,296,413 · program services $189,630 · management and general $1,106,783

  • 17 · Travel

    total $1,841,999 · program services $1,736,981 · management and general $97,563 · fundraising $7,455

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $618,053 · program services $447,187 · management and general $132,108 · fundraising $38,758

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $137,371 · management and general $137,371

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $215,867 · program services $21,165 · management and general $194,702

  • 24a · Other expenses: G&A ALLOCATION

    total $0 · program services $11,542,896 · management and general -$11,847,803 · fundraising $304,907

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $15,317,231 · end of year $21,811,182

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $5,951,450 · end of year $6,475,174

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $2,645,616 · end of year $429,985

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $1,129,009

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $847,092

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $441,797 · end of year $281,917

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $3,526,121 · end of year $4,200,560

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $1,904,020 · end of year $977,124

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $3,557,601 · end of year $5,188,469

  • 18 · Grants payable

    beginning of year $49,757 · end of year $0

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $5,885,464 · end of year $11,427,452

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $2,543,249 · end of year $1,132,594

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $3,957,279 · end of year $4,872,351

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $13,792,885 · end of year $11,555,076

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

FREEDOM HOUSE IS AN INDEPENDENT NON-PARTISAN, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS TO DEFEND AND EXPAND FREEDOM GLOBALLY TO HELP SECURE A WORLD WHERE ALL ARE FREE. WE IDENTIFY AND ANALYZE THREATS TO FREEDOM (RESEARCH & ANALYSIS), MOBILIZE DECISION MAKERS TO RESPOND TO THOSE THREATS AND SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROGRESS (POLICY & ADVOCACY), AND SUPPORT ACTIVISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO DEFEND AND EXPAND FREEDOM (ACTION).

Activities or mission (Part I)

INDEPENDENT NGO THAT CHAMPIONS DEMOCRACY WORLDWIDE THROUGH RESEARCH, EDUCATION, ADVOCACY & ACTION.

  • ACTION - DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD, FREEDOM HOUSE CONTINUED TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS AND FRONT-LINE DEFENDERS AROUND THE WORLD, IN SUPPORT OF THEIR WORK TO EXPAND AND DEFEND FREEDOM.

    Expenses $64,051,595 · Grants $32,510,728

  • RESEARCH & ANALYSIS - FREEDOM HOUSE'S RESEARCH ACTIVITIES CONSIST OF COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA, WHICH IS INTEGRATED INTO VARIOUS SPECIAL REPORTS AND ANNUAL PUBLICATIONS, INCLUDING FREEDOM IN THE WORLD, NATIONS IN TRANSIT, AND FREEDOM ON THE NET.

    Expenses $3,955,026

  • POLICY & ADVOCACY (A&E) - FREEDOM HOUSE WORKS TO EDUCATE U.S. AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND THEIR STAFF ON KEY DEMOCRACY ISSUES, AND INFORM THEIR FOREIGN POLICY DECISIONS.

    Expenses $1,126,961 · Grants $15,793

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Norman Willox

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Mark D Goodman

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Rachel Kleinfeld

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Tom Kahn

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Cater Lee

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Goli Ameri

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Peter Bass

    TRUSTEE (END 12/31/24)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Michael Chertoff

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Deborah A Cowan

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Jane Harman

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Robert Keane

    TRUSTEE (END 1/31/25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Howard Konar

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Maurice A Perkins

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Collin Roche

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Ian Simmons

    TRUSTEE (END 12/31/24)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Tom Staudt

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Reed V Tuckson

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Wendell Willkie II

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Nicole Bibbins Sedaca

    INTERIM PRESIDENT (END 1/3/2025)

    Total calculated
    $378,481
    From this org
    $328,926
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $49,555
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $308,926
    Bonus
    $20,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $30,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $19,055
    Filer's total
    $378,481
  • Emily Taylor End 10182024

    CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $277,704
    From this org
    $248,132
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $29,572
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $218,132
    Bonus
    $30,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $23,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $6,572
    Filer's total
    $277,704
  • Christian Bowman End 132025

    VP FOR TALENT & CULTURE

    Total calculated
    $249,238
    From this org
    $228,815
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $20,423
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $223,815
    Bonus
    $5,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $19,313
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,110
    Filer's total
    $249,238
  • Brian Hill End 10112024

    VICE PRES OF DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $244,644
    From this org
    $216,081
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $28,563
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $175,696
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $40,385
    Deferred
    $21,985
    Nontaxable benefits
    $6,578
    Filer's total
    $244,644
  • Jin Heon Kim

    DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

    Total calculated
    $204,490
    From this org
    $196,985
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $7,505
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $187,485
    Bonus
    $9,500
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,450
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,055
    Filer's total
    $204,490
  • Anne Boyajian

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $219,752
    From this org
    $181,290
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $38,462
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $181,290
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $19,440
    Nontaxable benefits
    $19,022
    Filer's total
    $219,752
  • Gerardo Berthin

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $217,994
    From this org
    $180,161
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,833
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $180,161
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $19,294
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,539
    Filer's total
    $217,994
  • Adrian Shahbaz

    VP RESEARCH & ANALYSIS

    Total calculated
    $209,853
    From this org
    $172,377
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,476
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $172,377
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $18,722
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,754
    Filer's total
    $209,853
  • Basile Pissalidis

    DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL SECURITY

    Total calculated
    $188,910
    From this org
    $165,063
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,847
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $165,063
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $16,917
    Nontaxable benefits
    $6,930
    Filer's total
    $188,910
  • Marc Behrendt End 4152025

    DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

    Total calculated
    $189,109
    From this org
    $158,433
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,676
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $158,433
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $16,989
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,687
    Filer's total
    $189,109
  • Jerusha Burnham

    DIRECTOR REGIONAL PROGRAMS

    Total calculated
    $164,985
    From this org
    $157,939
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $7,046
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $157,939
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $7,046
    Filer's total
    $164,985
  • Camaran Pipes

    DIRECTOR FOR ASIA PROGRAMS

    Total calculated
    $172,400
    From this org
    $153,104
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,296
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $153,104
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $12,495
    Nontaxable benefits
    $6,801
    Filer's total
    $172,400
  • Jose Ravano

    CHIEF OF PARTY (END 6/3/2025)

    Total calculated
    $275,538
    From this org
    $236,644
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $38,894
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $208,594
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $28,050
    Deferred
    $23,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,894
    Filer's total
    $275,538
  • Lara Shane

    VP COMMUNICATIONS (END 1/29/2025)

    Total calculated
    $236,673
    From this org
    $214,174
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,499
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $212,174
    Bonus
    $2,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $21,404
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,095
    Filer's total
    $236,673
  • Douglas Medrue-Googe

    CONTROLLER (END 4/15/2025)

    Total calculated
    $209,840
    From this org
    $184,114
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $25,726
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $184,114
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $18,806
    Nontaxable benefits
    $6,920
    Filer's total
    $209,840
  • Lisa Williams End 4152025

    DIRECTOR OF COMPLIANCE

    Total calculated
    $191,524
    From this org
    $168,103
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,421
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $148,103
    Bonus
    $20,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,898
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,523
    Filer's total
    $191,524
  • Matthew Hooper

    VP COMMUNICATIONS (END 5/4/2025)

    Total calculated
    $183,086
    From this org
    $167,544
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,542
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $167,544
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $8,592
    Nontaxable benefits
    $6,950
    Filer's total
    $183,086
  • Michael Abramowitz

    FORMER PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $259,310
    From this org
    $228,882
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,428
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $178,882
    Bonus
    $50,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $17,792
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,636
    Filer's total
    $259,310

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 1a · Housing allowance or residence for personal use
  • 1b · Written policy on the line-1a expenses
  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 1A
JOSE RAVANO, CHIEF OF PARTY, RECEIVES A HOUSING ALLOWANCE. FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2024, THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF TAXABLE INCOME WAS $28,050.
PART I, LINE 4A
BRIAN HILL RECEIVED SEVERANCE OF $40,384.60.
PART I, LINE 7
DISCRETIONARY BONUSES WERE PAID IN CALENDAR YEAR 2024 AS APPROVED BY EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
7 April 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202610979349301316

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

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