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Film Independent
Film Independent reported $19.2 million in revenue and $18.9 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $86.32 went to program services, $7.32 to management and general costs and $6.36 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 58.5% of the total. Government grants made up 9.3%. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $320,362 (PRESIDENT (UNTIL DEC 24)). 9 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 44% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $19MFor 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 September 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $19MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 86.3% | 78.5% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 7.3% | 13.6% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 6.4% | 6.0% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.11 | $0.10 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 58.5% | 57.5% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 9.3% | 1.7% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 39.7% | 20.8% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $320,362 | $385,706 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.70% | 2.03% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 3.8 | 36.6 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 28 of 28 | 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 expenseArtist developmentfilm independent's artist development programs are incubators for the next generation of bold, original visual storytellers working in film and television, fiction and non-fiction. Among the programs we offer:-project involve is a hands-on program that has supported over 1,000 filmmakers over the past 30 years, through mentorship, masterclasses and short film production. At least 31 filmmakers participated in the program in FY25.-the filmmaker labs producing, screenwriting, episodic, documentary provide mentorship and training on the business of filmmaking, as well as robust…
Membership, programming and education services Film Independent is an open-access membership organization with 8,290 members in FY25, from 50 states and 71 countries. To our members we offer robust educational and film programming.-Film Independent presents screening series (92 unique events, audience of 27,499)-the directors close-up conversations on the art of directing with the year's top filmmakers (online)-Film Independent forum (conference for working independent producers on the business of filmmaking (in person) -global media makers focuses on the business and commercial aspects of…
2025 Film Independent spirit awardsthe premiere awards show celebrating the best of Independent Film and television, the Film Independent spirit awards shines a light on filmmakers whose work embodies uniqueness of vision, original, provocative subject matter, diversity, and economy of means. For over 40 years this show has done more than any other single event to put Independent Film on the cultural map and in the public consciousness. The spirit awards exemplifies the work of talented emerging and established talent, and celebrates the best of fiction and non-fiction work in both film and…
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 (UNTIL DEC 24) Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $294,133 | $0 | $26,229 | $320,362 |
| SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $173,179 | $0 | $22,835 | $196,014 |
| DIRECTOR OF FINANCE/OPER. Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $174,493 | $0 | $13,478 | $187,971 |
| SR.DIRECTOR EDUC/INT'L PROGRAMS Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $164,942 | $0 | $14,594 | $179,536 |
| DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $137,467 | $0 | $20,522 | $157,989 |
| SR.DIRECTOR OF HR/ADMIN Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $132,571 | $0 | $21,997 | $154,568 |
| EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, SPIRIT Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $136,050 | $0 | $10,321 | $146,371 |
9 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Film Independent (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $332K (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–1b28 · 28 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 2Yes
- 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 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 583
- Volunteers Part I, line 634
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| LIVE DIGITAL ENTERNTAINMENT Production services | $722,031 |
| JACOBSON PAYROLL GROUP Payroll processing | $459,295 |
| TOWN & COUNTRY EVENT RENTALS Event rentals | $229,297 |
| ALLSAFE IT It services | $208,161 |
| VISION DIGITAL CORPORATION Digital screening service | $207,500 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 9 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
56 private foundations reported grants to Film Independent totaling $1.7M 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 Film Independent's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Film Independent, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Film Independent spent in FY2025, $86.32 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Jacob's Pillow Dance FestivalBecket, MA · revenue $19M · programs 76.6% · 2024
- Wxxi Public Broadcasting CouncilRochester, NY · revenue $19M · programs 67.7% · FY2025
- American Indian Health & ServicesSanta Barbara, CA · revenue $19M · programs 73.0% · FY2025
- Midland Center for the ArtsMidland, MI · revenue $19M · programs 67.7% · FY2025
- Shelburne MuseumShelburne, VT · revenue $19M · programs 66.8% · FY2025
All arts, culture & humanities charities · Largest charities in California
Questions people ask
How much of Film Independent's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, Film Independent reported that 86.3% of its $18.9 million in expenses went to program services, 7.3% to management and general and 6.4% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Film Independent pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Film Independent reported for one person in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 was $320,362, for the role of PRESIDENT (UNTIL DEC 24) (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Film Independent get its money?
Of $19.2 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025, 58.5% came from contributions and grants (including 9.3% from government grants) and 39.7% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Film Independent a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 95-3943485 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))), 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 September 30, 2025, object 202612309349301736 · read the filing
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, object 202522739349301867 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, object 202402289349300040 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, object 202302899349303235 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021, object 202242279349304244 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2020 (amended), object 202230359349300143 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 95-3943485: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.