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Black Public Media Inc

EIN 31-1335950 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Funding, acquiring, and distributing educational, historical, and cultural media content about the experiences of Africans and African-Americans.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
6.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
10
Highest pay
$192,828, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 September 30, 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. $1.4 million spent. AfroPoP: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange, is an anthology series that explores life, art, and culture of people of African descent throughout the world. These films are always carefully selected to portray a more balanced view of Africa than the one available on the nightly news and to fuel a global conversation on the present-day realities and contemporary lifestyles of Africans, both on the continent and in the Diaspora. The African Diaspora includes Africa, the Caribbean, Canada, South America, Europe, the U.S., and anywhere people of African descent have made a significant contribution to the culture. AfroPoP is the only series on U.S. public television that focuses solely on stories from the African Diaspora.
  2. $777,989 spent. BPMs 360 Incubator+: Established in 2015, BPMs 360 Incubator+ provides professional development support to emerging and mid-career producers working on features or shorts. Up to 10 projects are selected through an open call process. Up to two members of each producing team attend a three-day boot camp orientation retreat followed by a ten-week incubator, during which time the producers receive additional training in fundraising, audience engagement, business development, distribution, and pitching. A funding stipend is offered to help produce or refine the projects proof of concept. Each producing team is assigned a mentor who works with them over the ten-week period to fine-tune their project concept.
  3. $378,611 spent. Other programs:The PitchBLACK Forum allows producing teams to present their projects before a three-person jury and an audience of public media and industry executives, philanthropy, and media arts service organizations. The forum offers wide visibility and access to industry and other potential supporters. Selected projects receive $50,000 to $100,000 in production development funds for their projects. Selected participants convene in February for a four- day retreat to workshop their pitches, receive individualized project development support, and network with their peers. BPMPlus Immersive Artist Residency at the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media support up to four independent creative technologists who seek access to specialized equipment, technical support, and workspace to develop their emerging-technology skills and projects. The residency, held at the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts located at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a 2-week in-person residency offering access to computers with virtual reality (VR) software, VR headsets (Oculus, HTC, HP), production assistants, VR production equipment, motion capture studio, and workspace.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 November 1991.

    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.