'independently-funded' originates from the combination of 'independent' and 'funded'. 'Independent' comes from the Latin word 'independens', where 'in-' meant 'not' and 'dependens' meant 'hanging down'. 'Funded' comes from the Latin word 'fundus', meaning 'bottom' or 'base'.

'Independent' changed from the Latin 'independens' to the Old French 'independant', and eventually became the modern English word 'independent'. 'Funded' evolved from the Latin 'fundus' to the Old French 'fonder', and eventually became the modern English word 'fund'.

Initially, 'independent' meant 'not dependent', and 'funded' meant 'provided with money'. Over time, 'independently-funded' evolved to mean 'receiving financial support from non-central sources'.