Brooklyn Filmshop Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Founded in 2009, Filmshop is a nonprofit membership organization of independent filmmakers committed to developing new work through peer support and collaboration. Chapters in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Los Angeles and New Orleans meet weekly to workshop projects Making a film is a herculean endeavor. Filmshop is a community that makes the process much less solitary. When you go through similar challenges with fellow filmmakers, it makes the impossible that much less daunting. When you can ask a diverse community of working cinematographers, editors, writers, and directors to pitch in to your project, somehow financial, creative, and emotional challenges dissolve. We make films happen.
- Income
- $61,356
- Spending
- $69,562
- Reserves
- -1.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 72%
- Highest pay
- $12,600, executive director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 6 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 812% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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, 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 (5)
- $16,706 spent. 285 Workshop Membership individuals benefitted being able to review the 285 film related works in progress of other members, as well as have their works in progress reviewed and appraised with constructive feedback. These works in progress consisted of documentary films, fiction films, film scripts, grant proposals, pitch decks, budgets, etc.
- 179 General Membership individuals benefitted from the ability to share knowledge, collaborate, hire personnel and interface with 285 individuals participating in Workshop Membership.
- $3,175 spent. 150+ public citizens benefitted from Filmshop's summer residency on Governors Island! Throughout the season, the Filmshop House buzzed with free to the public activities, featuring film screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and hands-on workshops led by our talented community members. Highlighting our residency was a retrospective exhibition showcasing Filmshop's evolution and impact over 24 years, raising awareness of Filmshop and its mission.
- $1,950 spent. 100 public audience members benefitted from a ticketed live event screening of 10 themed short films produced by members specifically for this event.
- $5,651 spent. 50 public audience members and 12 jury selected filmmakers benefitted from Filmshop's ticketed Breakthrough Series, which showcases a curated selection of our members' films in an intimate setting with festival programmers, distributors, and executive producers. Facilitating discussions centered around development and distribution, Breakthrough provides a forum for filmmakers to explore the next stages of their careers. After each project is presented, there will be a panel discussion with the filmmakers and an industry luminary.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2013 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2013.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 2025.
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 February 2015.
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 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.