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Free Spirit Media NFP

EIN 36-4456215 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Free Spirit Medias mission is to partner with young storytellers to transform media and society. Free Spirit Media partners with young storytellers, ages 11-25 and primarily from the west and south sides of Chicago, to develop and amplifytheir unique and critical voices through storytelling and media arts. We do this through our holistic creative youth development programming which focuses on community-building, skill-sharing and career and education pathways that support young people to envision and build their futures as artists and within the media industry and beyond.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 55%
Employees
68
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$115,125, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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 June 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 (5)
  1. $448,278 spent. Creative Pathways is a creative workforce program that offers 16-25 year olds an interrelated suite of film industry opportunities including communities of practice for aspiring filmmakers, advanced media arts programming, paid internship opportunities, paid opportunities to gain experience in all aspects of filmmaking through a creation of a young artist directed and produced film-project and an advanced production cohort that provides content for clients.
  2. $150,365 spent. Production - A 12-week intensive training program for emerging media makers (usually ages 1825) that combines hands-on industry training with experience on real productions. Participants receive instruction from professionals, learn technical and production skills (camera, grip, editing, etc.), and work toward producing a short film project with mentorship from industry veterans.
  3. $137,995 spent. Teen Media - Young artists, age 11 to 18, participate in a wide range of media arts programs, both in an arts center and school-based environment. Skilled teaching artists mentor young storytellers in the art of filmmaking, photography, sound and music production, screenwriting and other modalities connected to media arts. Young artists learn the components of visual storytelling and develop core proficiencies in scriptwriting, editing, photography, camerawork, audio engineering, and performance. Young creators hone their media literacy, including awareness of media influence, and their own roles as both media creators and media consumers. Teen programs run year-round, with sessions in the Fall, Spring and Summer.
  4. $55,525 spent. Place-Based Programs - Free Spirit Media (FSM) utilizes creative placekeeping and transformative justice practices to partner with FSM's community of young people, families, neighbors, and community partners. FSM's Intergenerational programs are place-based and include facilitated events such as community meals, art making workshops, community wellness retreats, film screenings and story sharing circles.
  5. $51,871 spent. Residencies - Participants engage for extended periods in structured, creative media production learning and making. They receive mentorship, access to equipment, and space to work on major projects that are often premiered publicly or professionally showcased.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 November 6, 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 June 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 July 2002.

    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 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.