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Docs in Progress Inc

EIN 20-2784718 · Silver Spring, MD

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak31 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DOCS IN PROGRESS IS A 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHICH GIVES INDIVIDUALS THE TOOLS TO TELL STORIES THROUGH DOCUMENTARY FILM TO EDUCATE, INSPIRE, AND TRANSFORM THE WAY PEOPLE VIEW THEIR WORLD.

Income
$410,289
Spending
$441,733
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 50%
Employees
3
Volunteers
31
Highest pay
$48,077, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 31 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 77% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $160,833 spent. FISCAL SPONSORSHIP FORM:DOCS IN PROGRESS ACTS AS A FISCAL SPONSOR AND COLLECT MONEY ON BEHALF OF FILMMAKERS AND ORGANIZATIONS. IN TURN, DOCS DISBURSES THESE FUNDS TO THE FILMMAKERS AND ORGANIZATIONS DURING THE DOCUMENT FILM MAKING PROCESS AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES.
  2. $142,104 spent. EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS:TRAINING IN ALL ASPECTS OF DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING - FROM CONCEPT TO PRODUCTION TO EDITING TO DISTRIBUTION. TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR FIRST-TIME FILMMAKERS. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS FOR MORE ADVANCED FILMMAKERS. VIDEO PRODUCTION ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH, ELDERS AND NONPROFIT PROFESSIONALS.
  3. $56,528 spent. ARTIST SERVICES AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT:PROGRAMS TO HELP DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKERS PROGRESS WITH THEIR FILMS AND THEIR CAREERS, INCLUDING FELLOWSHIPS FISCAL SPONSORSHIP, RESIDENCIES, PITCHING WORKSHOPS, ONE-ON-ONE CONSULTATIONS, FOCUS GROUPS, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES.
  4. $32,244 spent. PUBLIC PROGRAMS:WHICH CONNECT DOCUMENTARY FILMS AND FILMMAKERS WITH AUDIENCES INCLUDE OUR SIGNATURE WORK- IN -PROGRESS SCREENINGS, THE ANNUAL COMMUNITY STORIES FILM FESTIVAL, AND SILVER SCREENINGS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2008.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.