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The Frida Cinema

EIN 27-0950151 · Santa Ana, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FRIDA CINEMA SERVES AS THE ONLY NON-PROFIT CURATORIAL CINEMA IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA. THE FRIDA CINEMA IS DEDICATED TO ENRICHING, CONNECTING, AND EDUCATION THROUGH THE ART OF CINEMA.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 80%
Employees
12
Volunteers
187
Highest pay
$126,103, executive director

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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 73% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 73 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

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

  • 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 (3)
  1. $1.7 million spent. THE FRIDA CINEMA IS AN ART HOUSE MODEL CULTURAL INSTITUTION WHICH TAKES A COMMUNITY-BASED, MISSION-DRIVEN APPROACH TO CINEMATIC PROGRAMMING. ESCHEWING THE TRADITIONAL STUDIO SYSTEM, THE FRIDA CURATES A RICH AND ECLECTIC VARIETY OF FILM PROGRAMMING WITH A FOCUS ON DOCUMENTARIES WHICH SERVE TO BOTH EDUCATE AND INSPIRE, INTERNATIONAL FILMS WHICH INTRODUCE AUDIENCES TO CULTURES, TRADITIONS, AND HISTORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, REVIVAL SCREENINGS OF REVERED CLASSIC FILMS, STUDENT FILMS PRODUCED BY OUR COMMUNITY OF TALENTED AND VISIONARY YOUNG ARTISTS AND NON-CINEMATIC FARE SUCH AS CONCERT EVENTS, ART SHOWS, EDUCATIONAL PANELS, AND OTHER CIVIC AND ARTISTIC ENGAGEMENTS. THE FRIDA CINEMA ALSO SERVES AS AN ENRICHING HUB FOR A CONSISTENT FAMILY OF VOLUNTEERS, MOST OF WHICH ARE HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS LOOKING TO COMPLEMENT THEIR ACADEMIC STUDIES WITH REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE.
  2. $68,531 spent. DTSA FIRST SATURDAY ARTWALK (ARTWALK) IS A FREE EVENT THAT TAKES PLACE MONTHLY IN DOWNTOWN SANTA ANA. ARTWALK INCREASES COMMUNITY ACCESS TO MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTS AND PARTICIPATORY ARTS ACTIVITIES MORE THAN 4,000 MONTHLY ATTENDEES, INCREASES VISIBILITY FOR LOCAL ARTISTS AND ART GALLERIES, AND INCREASES VISIBILITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES CONTINUING TO FINANCIALLY RECOVER FROM THE COVID PANDEMIC. EACH ARTWALK INCLUDES FREE GALLERY TOURS, OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT STAGES FEATURING MUSIC AND DANCE, BUSKERS AND ARTS WORKSHOPS STAGED THROUGHOUT THE EVENT FOOTPRINT, AND VENDORS VILLAGE FEATURING HANDMADE LOCALLY PRODUCED ART FROM MORE THAN 40 ARTISTS.
  3. $1,800 spent. OUR COMMUNITY OUTDOOR CINEMA PROGRAM ALLOWS US TO TRANSFORM PUBLIC SPACES SUCH AS PARKS, PARKING LOTS, AND SCHOOL CAMPUSES TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO ENJOY FREE FILM SCREENINGS UNDER THE STARS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WITH HOST VENUES THROUGHOUT SANTA ANA, OUR SERIES INVITES INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES OF ALL AGES TO JOIN FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS FOR CLASSIC FILM SCREENINGS, AS WELL AS ACCOMPANYING FEATURES SUCH AS LIVE MUSIC BY LOCAL MUSICIANS. THIS SERIES ALSO EXTENDS OUR TRADITION OF PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONS BY LENDING OUR RESOURCES TO THE PRODUCTION OF THEIR OWN OUTDOOR FILM SCREENING ENDEAVORS.

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 October 13, 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 April 2010.

    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 October 21, 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.