Newport Film Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
NEWPORT FILM INSPIRES, EDUCATES, AND ENTERTAINS BY PRESENTING CURRENT AND IMPACTFUL DOCUMENTARIES THAT BUILD COMMUNITY AND PROPEL CHANGE.
- Income
- $889,356
- Spending
- $937,015
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- 7.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 90%
- Employees
- 17
- Volunteers
- 60
- Highest pay
- $114,038, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1567% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 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 (1)
- $632,318 spent. In 2024, newportFILM continued its mission of engagement and inspiring the community through documentary file and media arts. The Organization screed over 25 critically acclaimed documentaries at more than 17 locations across Rhode Isand, reaching an audieence of 20,000 people through in-person and virtual events. Films were curated from top international festivals including Sundance, SXSW, TIFF, Camden, and DOC NYC. newportFILMs annual Cinematography Lab brought together six emerging filmakers and renowned mentors for a weekend of professional development. Students from local school were invited to attend select sessions, fostering connections with industry leaders and expanding access to creative career pathways. Through partnerships with over 50 community organizations, newportFILM deepened local engagement with documentary storytelling. Notable events included a two-day community screening of NEWPORT: IN THIS TOGETHER and a special summer screening at The Elms drawing over 5,000 attendees. The annual Tia Award was presented to a dedicated volunteer exemplifying community service. Education initiatives such as Documentary Unbound provided free afterschool filmaking programs for local youth, with student work recognized in national competitions. The Edu program, in collaboration with URIs Graduate School of Oceanography, offered experiential learning opportunities for middle school students through film and hands-on science activities. Demonstrating a commitment to encironmental responsibility, newportFILM diverted 79% of compostable waste from landfills during the summer season and partnered with Bike Newport to promote sustainable transportation to events.
Source: Form 990 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2010.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.