INDEPENDENCE INSTITUTE

EIN: 840990300 501(c)(3) Public & Societal Benefit

DENVER, CO

Total Revenue
$2,298,705
Total Expenses
$2,287,154
Total Assets
$6,277,667
Net Assets
$6,191,945
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1985
Legal Domicile
CO
Principal Officer
JON C CALDARA
Phone
3032796536
Tax Period
2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31

INDEPENDENCE INSTITUTE, founded in 1985, is a community nonprofit in the Public & Societal Benefit sector that reported $2.3M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue fell 37% from the prior year — a significant decline worth monitoring. Net assets of $6.2M represent 32 months of operating reserves.

Mission

THE MISSION OF INDEPENDENCE INSTITUTE IS TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND TO EDUCATE CITIZENS,LEGISLATORS AND OPINION MAKERS ABOUT PUBLIC POLICIES THAT ENHANCE PERSONAL AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $1,507,395

THE LIBERTY PROJECT - THE GOAL OF THE INDEPENDENCE INSTITUTE'S LIBERTY PROJECT IS TO EDUCATE THE CITIZENS, PUBLIC OFFICIALS, THE MEDIA, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND CONCERNED CITIZENS ON FREE MARKET...

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THE LIBERTY PROJECT - THE GOAL OF THE INDEPENDENCE INSTITUTE'S LIBERTY PROJECT IS TO EDUCATE THE CITIZENS, PUBLIC OFFICIALS, THE MEDIA, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND CONCERNED CITIZENS ON FREE MARKET SOLUTIONS TO PUBLIC POLICY CHALLENGES. THE LIBERTY PROJECT SERVES AS OUR GENERAL RESEARCH AND SERVICES CATEGORY. ITS PURPOSE IS EDUCATION ON POLICY ISSUES NOT SPECIFIED IN A PARTICULAR POLICY CENTER.

Program 2
Expenses: $312,839

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...

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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.

Program 3
Expenses: $147,184

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...

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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.

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Trantor Score

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $2,045,374
Program Service Revenue $0
Investment Income $244,067
Other Revenue $9,264
TOTAL REVENUE $2,298,705

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $100,000
Salaries & Benefits $1,343,737
Fundraising Expenses $223,393
Program Expenses $1,967,418
Other Expenses $843,417
TOTAL EXPENSES $2,287,154

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $2,298,705 $3,644,899 -0.4%
Expenses $2,287,154 $2,746,053 -0.2%
Net Income $11,551 $898,846 -1.0%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
7
Independent Members
7
Employees
20
Volunteers
N/A

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
4
$220,539
Total Directors
6
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
DEBORAH DONNER BOARD OF TRUSTEE 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
DICK WADHAMS BOARD OF TRUSTEE 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CATHERINE SHOPNECK CHAIRMAN 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
JOSEPH SMITH BOARD OF TRUSTEE 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARK HILLMAN BOARD OF TRUSTEE 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MIKE ROSEN BOARD OF TRUSTEE 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
JON C CALDARA PRESIDENT OF II 40.00
Officer
$205,689 $14,850 $220,539
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2024 $2,298,705 $2,287,154 $6,277,667 $11,551
2023 $3,644,899 $2,746,053 $6,308,175 $898,846
2022 $3,977,476 $2,713,541 $5,396,578 $1,263,935
2021 $3,066,130 $2,744,939 $4,125,460 $321,191
2020 $2,662,306 $2,967,428 $3,786,992 $-305,122
2019 $3,782,950 $3,524,664 $4,126,625 $258,286
2018 $3,196,031 $3,518,479 $3,819,480 $-322,448
2018 $3,196,031 $3,518,479 $3,819,480 $-322,448
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