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THE LENFEST INST FOR JOURNALISM SPE ASSET FUND OF THE PHL FOUNDATION

EIN 04-3731829 PHILADELPHIA, PA

Revenue 2024
$26,054,320
Expenses 2024
$22,756,190

Program services were 88.0% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
T12
Classification
1000
Street
1835 MARKET ST STE 2410

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

THE MISSION OF THE LENFEST INSTITUTE FOR JOURNALISM SPECIAL ASSET FUND OF THE PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION (THE INSTITUTE) IS TO RECEIVE, MANAGE, AND DISTRIBUTE ASSETS IN SUPPORT OF THE PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION (TPF) BY ENABLING QUALITY LOCAL JOURNALISM THAT SERVES ITS COMMUNITIES.

Activities or mission (Part I)

SUPPORT THE PHILADELPHIA FOUNDATION BY ENABLING QUALITY LOCAL JOURNALISM IN ITS COMMUNITIES

  • THE LENFEST INSTITUTE FOR JOURNALISM, LLC (LLC):THE LLC IS A DISREGARDED ENTITY OF THE INSTITUTE THAT SUPPORTS BOTH THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF HERITAGE NEWS ORGANIZATIONS AND THE ENTREPRENEURIAL EFFORTS OF YOUNG, INNOVATIVE COMPANIES. THE INSTITUTE BELIEVES THAT QUALITY CIVIC JOURNALISM REQUIRES NEW BUSINESS MODELS, POWERFUL INNOVATIONS AND GROWING, DIVERSE AUDIENCES TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABILITY IN THE DIGITAL AGE. IT FUNDS PROGRAMS THAT PRODUCE HIGH-IMPACT JOURNALISM, INNOVATIVE NEWS TECHNOLOGY, AND THAT HELP LOCAL NEWS ORGANIZATIONS REACH NEW AUDIENCES AND DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE DIGITAL BUSINESS MODELS.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O.)TO ACCOMPLISH THE ORGANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE, AND CREATE CLARITY OF FOCUS UNDERNEATH THE OVERARCHING PROGRAM OBJECTIVES, THREE CORE CATEGORIES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED: NATIONAL, PHILADELPHIA, AND THE INQUIRER. THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC PROGRAMMATIC ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS ALL SERVE THE OVERARCHING PROGRAMMATIC OBJECTIVES TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT PRODUCE HIGH-IMPACT JOURNALISM, INNOVATE NEWS TECHNOLOGY, AND LEAD TO HIGHLY ENGAGED, DIVERSE AND GROWING AUDIENCES.THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER:THE LENFEST INSTITUTE IS THE NONPROFIT, NON-CONTROLLING OWNER OF THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, WHICH IS NOW THE LARGEST NEWSPAPER IN AMERICA OPERATED AS A PUBLIC-BENEFIT CORPORATION. THE INSTITUTE'S OWNERSHIP OF THE INQUIRER, WHICH COVERS ONE OF THE LARGEST, MOST DIVERSE METRO REGIONS IN THE COUNTRY, IS THE CORNERSTONE OF ITS ENTHUSIASTIC INVESTMENT IN LOCAL NEWS.THE PHILADELPHIA NEWS ECOSYSTEM:IN THE PHILADELPHIA AREA, THE INSTITUTE FACILITATES A COLLABORATIVE NEWS AND INFORMATION ECOSYSTEM THAT BUILDS ON VALUABLE HISTORY WHILE ALSO FOSTERING ENTREPRENEURIAL VISION AND INNOVATION. DIVERSITY AND REPRESENTATION ARE CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF POSITIVE BUSINESS OUTCOMES. THE INSTITUTE IS WORKING TO DEFINE DIFFERENT PATHWAYS TO SUSTAINABILITY FOR PUBLISHERS WHILE ALSO ENSURING A DIVERSITY OF REPRESENTATIVE VOICES AND LEADERSHIP IN BOTH LEGACY AND INDEPENDENT MEDIA REFLECTIVE OF THE COMMUNITIES THEY ARE SERVING. SPOTLIGHT PA:SPOTLIGHT PA, THE HARRISBURG NEWSROOM LAUNCHED BY THE LENFEST INSTITUTE AND THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, CREATES HIGH-QUALITY NONPARTISAN INVESTIGATIVE AND ACCOUNTABILITY REPORTING FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL PENNSYLVANIANS. IT PROVIDES ITS REPORTING FREE-OF-CHARGE TO MORE THAN 80 OTHER NEWSPAPERS, PUBLIC RADIO STATIONS, AND WEBSITES THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH. AS THE STEWARD OF BOTH THE INQUIRER AND SPOTLIGHT PA, THE INSTITUTE IS BLAZING A UNIQUE PATH BY SERVING LEGACY PUBLISHERS AND DIGITAL START-UPS AS THEY AIM TO FILL GAPS AND SERVE NEW AND UNDERREPRESENTED AUDIENCES. NATIONAL SOLUTIONS FOR LOCAL NEWS:NATIONALLY, THE INSTITUTE LEVERAGES ITS INSTITUTIONAL EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES TO FACILITATE CAPACITY BUILDING FOR LOCAL NEWS PUBLISHERS THROUGH TRAINING PROGRAMS AND GRANTMAKING TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BUSINESS MODEL BEST PRACTICES. OTHER PROGRAM ACTIVITIES:THE INSTITUTE SUPPORTS BOTH THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF HERITAGE NEWS ORGANIZATIONS AND THE ENTREPRENEURIAL EFFORTS OF YOUNG, INNOVATIVE COMPANIES. OTHER PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CONVENING, ADVISORY WORK, LEARNINGS SEMINARS, RESEARCH AND OTHER OUTREACH IN SUPPORT OF LOCAL JOURNALISM.

    Expenses $20,019,632 · Grants $15,091,490

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

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • JAMES FRIEDLICH

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - LLC

    Total calculated
    $641,574
    From this org
    $553,995
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $87,579
    Hours/week
    37

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $552,807
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,188
    Deferred
    $36,102
    Nontaxable benefits
    $51,477
    Filer's total
    $641,574

  • PEDRO A RAMOS

    SECRETARY, PRESIDENT & CEO

    Total calculated
    $528,416
    From this org
    $0
    From related orgs
    $451,338
    Other
    $77,078
    Hours/week
    1.2 + 37.1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $0 + $450,564 related
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0 + $774 related
    Deferred
    $0 + $47,590 related
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0 + $29,488 related
    Filer's total
    $0 + $528,416 related

  • ANNIE MADONIA

    CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER - LLC

    Total calculated
    $380,822
    From this org
    $291,759
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $89,063
    Hours/week
    37

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $265,985
    Bonus
    $25,000
    Other
    $774
    Deferred
    $34,037
    Nontaxable benefits
    $55,026
    Filer's total
    $380,822

  • KEN HERTS

    CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER - LLC

    Total calculated
    $353,121
    From this org
    $316,150
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,971
    Hours/week
    37

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $289,962
    Bonus
    $25,000
    Other
    $1,188
    Deferred
    $34,037
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,934
    Filer's total
    $353,121

  • ORLANDO ESPOSITO

    TPF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFCR TO JUN 2024

    Total calculated
    $257,597
    From this org
    $0
    From related orgs
    $200,568
    Other
    $57,029
    Hours/week
    1 + 35.1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $0 + $199,380 related
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0 + $1,188 related
    Deferred
    $0 + $20,400 related
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0 + $36,629 related
    Filer's total
    $0 + $257,597 related

  • SHAWN MOORING

    HEAD OF PHILADELPHIA PROGRAMS - LLC

    Total calculated
    $222,329
    From this org
    $173,941
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $48,388
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $173,671
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $270
    Deferred
    $18,392
    Nontaxable benefits
    $29,996
    Filer's total
    $222,329

  • REBECCA FORMAN

    HEAD OF DEVEL & DONOR RELATIONS -LLC

    Total calculated
    $217,115
    From this org
    $189,326
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $27,789
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $189,159
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $167
    Deferred
    $19,185
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,604
    Filer's total
    $217,115

  • KAREN CLEARY

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - LLC

    Total calculated
    $193,574
    From this org
    $145,764
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $47,810
    Hours/week
    28

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $145,764
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $16,157
    Nontaxable benefits
    $31,653
    Filer's total
    $193,574

  • JOSEPH LICHTERMAN

    HEAD OF EDITORIAL AND COMMS - LLC

    Total calculated
    $159,265
    From this org
    $143,334
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,931
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $143,213
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $121
    Deferred
    $14,838
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,093
    Filer's total
    $159,265

  • KAREN MORRIS

    CONTROLLER - LLC

    Total calculated
    $134,499
    From this org
    $114,162
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $20,337
    Hours/week
    35

  • CHRISTINE CONTI

    TPF CHIEF FINANCIAL & ADMIN OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $128,510
    From this org
    $0
    From related orgs
    $116,827
    Other
    $11,683
    Hours/week
    1 + 35.1 related

  • JACQUELINE GALIANI

    HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER - LLC

    Total calculated
    $116,597
    From this org
    $105,029
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,568
    Hours/week
    35

  • LON GREENBERG

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 4.3 related

  • WILLIAM J BURKE

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 4.3 related

  • ROSALIND REMER

    CHAIR - LLC

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • MICHAEL X DELLI CARPINI PHD

    VICE CHAIR - LLC

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • KATE ALLISON

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 2.3 related

  • HOLLY FLANAGAN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 2.3 related

  • CHRISTINA MESIRES FOURNARIS

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 2.3 related

  • WILLIAM P HANKOWSKY

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 2.3 related

  • DIXIEANNE JAMES

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 2.3 related

  • ALDUSTUS AJ JORDAN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 2.3 related

  • SHIRIN KARSAN

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 2.3 related

  • SHARMAIN MATLOCK-TURNER

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 2.3 related

  • EVELYN MCNIFF

    BOARD MEMBER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1 + 2.3 related

The first 25 listed. 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. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2024
    Revenue
    $26,054,320
    Expenses
    $22,756,190
    Contributions
    $21,531,115
    Grants paid
    $15,091,490
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $31,951,841
    Expenses
    $21,808,175
    Contributions
    $29,834,389
    Grants paid
    $13,810,448
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $41,516,736
    Expenses
    $21,565,100
    Contributions
    $39,762,088
    Grants paid
    $15,908,568

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $14,397,650
    Expenses
    $16,429,153
    Assets (EOY)
    $99,634,192

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $21,750,954
    Expenses
    $30,909,697
    Assets (EOY)
    $97,432,232

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $25,125,953
    Expenses
    $28,688,218
    Assets (EOY)
    $105,118,770

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $51,599,715
    Expenses
    $9,759,033
    Assets (EOY)
    $100,598,800

  • 2017 · 990

    Revenue
    $7,899,693
    Expenses
    $5,467,437
    Assets (EOY)
    $61,300,526

  • 2016 · 990

    Revenue
    $22,615,026
    Expenses
    $1,069,065
    Assets (EOY)
    $57,016,345

  • 2015 · 990

    Revenue
    $34,876,624
    Expenses
    $1,927,111
    Assets (EOY)
    $35,135,447

  • 2014 · 990

    Revenue
    $3,222,796
    Expenses
    $23,767,127
    Assets (EOY)
    $1,581,558

  • 2013 · 990

    Revenue
    $3,641,746
    Expenses
    $2,349,072
    Assets (EOY)
    $21,914,694

  • 2012 · 990

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    $7,364,530
    Assets (EOY)
    $23,993,917

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Grants made

  • THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

    $7,847,500

    2024 THE INSTITUTE IS SUPPORTING THE INQUIRERS TRANSITION FROM A TRADITIONAL PRINTED NEWSPAPER TO AN ECONOMICALLY SUSTAINABLE, PRIMARILY DIGITAL, EQUITABLE NEWS ENTERPRISE. A SERIES OF GRANTS WERE MADE TO THE INQUIRER TO FUND (A) HIGH IMPACT JOURNALISM, INCLUDING WORK BY ITS INVESTIGATIVE TEAM, SPOTLIGHT PA AND HEALTH COVERAGE AND (B) NEWS TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCT IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING A GRANT FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ACCELERATION, BRAND DEVELOPMENT, TECHNOLOGY FOR AUDIENCE GROWTH, DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS, AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT.

  • PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER PBC

    $7,529,895

    2023 THE INSTITUTE IS SUPPORTING THE INQUIRERS TRANSITION FROM A TRADITIONAL PRINTED NEWSPAPER TO AN ECONOMICALLY SUSTAINABLE, PRIMARILY DIGITAL, EQUITABLE NEWS ENTERPRISE. A SERIES OF GRANTS WERE MADE TO THE INQUIRER TO FUND (A) HIGH IMPACT JOURNALISM, INCLUDING WORK BY ITS INVESTIGATIVE TEAM, SPOTLIGHT PA AND HEALTH COVERAGE AND (B) NEWS TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCT IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING A GRANT FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ACCELERATION, BRAND DEVELOPMENT, TECHNOLOGY FOR AUDIENCE GROWTH, DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS, AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT.

  • THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

    $7,450,070

    2022 THE INSTITUTE IS SUPPORTING THE INQUIRERS TRANSITION FROM A TRADITIONAL PRINTED NEWSPAPER TO AN ECONOMICALLY SUSTAINABLE, PRIMARILY DIGITAL, EQUITABLE NEWS ENTERPRISE. A SERIES OF GRANTS WERE MADE TO THE INQUIRER TO FUND (A) HIGH IMPACT JOURNALISM, INCLUDING WORK BY ITS INVESTIGATIVE TEAM, SPOTLIGHT PA, HEALTH COVERAGE AND A SERIES ON THE FUTURE OF WORK IN PHIALDELPHIA AND (B) NEWS TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCT IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING A GRANT FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ACCELERATION, MARKETING CLOUD IMPLEMENTATION, DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS, AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT, AND (C) THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INLCUSION STRATEGIES TO ENABLE THE NEWS ORGANIZATION TO DIVERSIFY ITS LEADERSHIP AND MORE EQUITABLY COVER THE PHILADELPHIA REGION.

  • SPOTLIGHT PA

    $2,866,862

    2023 (S) = $2,866,861.54

  • NATIONAL TRUST FOR LOCAL NEWS

    $1,765,400

    2022 (O) = $1,765,400.00

  • AMERICAN PRESS INSTITUTE

    $1,650,000

    2022 (D) = $1,650,000.00

  • TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

    $1,389,073

    2022 (A) = $152,000, (I) = $1,237,073.00

  • WHYY

    $693,859

    2022 (C) = $85,000.00, (Z) = $607,059.00, (AA) = $1,800.00

  • SPOTLIGHT PA

    $510,000

    2024 (O) = $10,000, (S) = $500,000

  • SEATTLE TIMES COMPANY

    $500,000

    2024 (G) = $500,000

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

Where these grants went next →

Grants received

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

Related organizations

From Schedule R Part II, where a filer lists the tax-exempt organizations it is related to by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Declared on its 2024 return

Declared as related by

Taxable family

From Schedule R Parts I, III and IV: entities that legally are the filer, and taxable partnerships, corporations and trusts it is related to. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money.

Disregarded entities on its 2024 return

Related corporations and trusts on its 2024 return

  • THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER PBC

    C · NEWS MEDIA PRODUCTION · DE · 99.99% owned · share of income $96,645,031 · share of assets $74,005,096 · controlled entity

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility SO.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 26 October 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2024, the newest we have parsed for this organization.