Real People Media Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To help people share their stories through the literary, visual, performing and media arts.
- Income
- $82,481
- Spending
- $104,324
- Reserves
- 8.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 90%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (3)
- $32,566 spent. Real People Media performed and recorded 4 new episodes of The Red Jacket Jamboree for later radio broadcast. Two radio networks aired Real People Media programming. Together, Interlochen Public Radio and WNMU Public Radio 90 broadcast four hourlong episodes of The Red Jacket Jamboree. These networks cover the entire western half of the Upper Peninsula and the North West Lower Peninsula, reaching tens of thousands of listeners.
- $8,070 spent. In 2024, Real People Media was able to launch a new program called Animating the Copper Country with support of the Michigan Humanities Council. 7 Copper Country residents shared their unique stories to be animating by participating artists. The program was presented to youth participating in the Big Annie Klobucher project and residents of the Bluffs senior living community. This is an ongoing program of Real People Media.
- $16,045 spent. The Keweenaw Storytelling Center and exhibits was open throughout the year including during major festivals including PastyFest, Copper Dog 150, and Ladies Night . In all, more than a thousand people enjoyed RPMs live events and exhibits.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2010.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 October 7, 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.