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Public Media Group of Southern California
Also known as KCET or PBS Socal
Public Media Group of Southern California reported $51.7 million in revenue and $47.8 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $63.95 went to program services, $21.06 to management and general costs and $14.99 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 90.7% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $636,877 (PRESIDENT & CEO). 16 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 36% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $48MFor context, the median across 876 covered arts, culture & humanities charities: $79.98 programs, $13.89 management, $6.13 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $52MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 63.9% | 78.5% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 21.1% | 13.6% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 15.0% | 6.0% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.15 | $0.10 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 90.7% | 57.5% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.6% | 1.7% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 0.1% | 20.8% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $636,877 | $385,706 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.33% | 2.03% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 16 | 8 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 26.2 | 36.6 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 31 of 31 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseProgramming and production - we are dedicated to creating original programs that reflect our community, as well as sharing the full schedule of pbs programs that viewers love and trust. We tell stories that matter through our award-winning content that covers a wide variety of important topics with series like artbound, lost la, variety studio: actors on actors and earth focus
Distribution pbs socal is available to nearly 22 million people in southern california across 7 channels for free over-the-air. The library of pbs socal original programs are also available to stream anytime and anywehre at pbssocal.org and mobile and connected device platforms through the pbs and pbs kids apps that are available for download for free on ios and android devices, roko, samsung, apple tv, android tv, youtube tv, fire tv and chromecast
Program guides for all pbs socal channels are published on our website that is available to the general public. Additionally, in 2025 a quarterly publication was sent to all pbs socal members highlighting various upcoming programs, community events and initiatives as well as featuring editorial letters from various staff members and station talent. Marketing materials are produced that highlight various educational pbs programs (both on-air and in person) which result in building awareness of the organization's commitment to keeping the community informed and engaged. Viewers can also sign up…
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESIDENT & CEO Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $590,228 | $0 | $46,649 | $636,877 |
| CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $389,511 | $0 | $45,284 | $434,795 |
| CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $339,242 | $0 | $36,174 | $375,416 |
| CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $295,305 | $0 | $45,850 | $341,155 |
| SR. VP, MARKETING & COMMUN Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $268,406 | $0 | $40,728 | $309,134 |
| CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $287,250 | $0 | $12,793 | $300,043 |
| SR. VP & GENERAL COUNSEL Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $264,336 | $0 | $25,450 | $289,786 |
| SR. VP, FINANCE & ADMIN Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $253,212 | $0 | $18,689 | $271,901 |
16 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Public Media Group of Southern California (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $3.7M (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b31 · 31 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4No
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18Yes
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 5233
- Volunteers Part I, line 631
Private foundation grants it received
38 private foundations reported grants to Public Media Group of Southern California totaling $1.1M on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Public Media Group of Southern California's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Public Media Group of Southern California, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Public Media Group of Southern California spent in FY2025, $63.95 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Thomas Jefferson FoundationCharlottesville, VA · revenue $52M · programs 73.9% · 2024
- Boston BalletBoston, MA · revenue $52M · programs 85.1% · FY2025
- The Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art Science & HistoryDaytona Beach, FL · revenue $52M · programs 66.1% · 2025
- Open Technology FundWashington, DC · revenue $52M · programs 92.3% · FY2025
- Pittsburgh SymphonyPittsburgh, PA · revenue $51M · programs 85.3% · FY2025
All arts, culture & humanities charities · Largest charities in California
Questions people ask
How much of Public Media Group of Southern California's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Public Media Group of Southern California reported that 63.9% of its $47.8 million in expenses went to program services, 21.1% to management and general and 15.0% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Public Media Group of Southern California pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Public Media Group of Southern California reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $636,877, for the role of PRESIDENT & CEO (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Public Media Group of Southern California get its money?
Of $51.7 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 90.7% came from contributions and grants (including 0.6% from government grants) and 0.1% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Public Media Group of Southern California a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 95-2211661 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, object 202601319349304375 · read the filing · XML
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202521889349300697 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202441099349300934 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202341229349301819 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, object 202241339349307079 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202141189349300324 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 95-2211661: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.