Representation Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Representation Project uses storytelling to challenge harmful gender stereotypes and norms, shift attitudes and behavior, and transform culture. Were committed to building a thriving and inclusive society through films, education, and social activism.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 8
- Highest pay
- $161,250, founder & cco
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 26 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 83% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 41% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 9 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
7 of 7Has a 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 March 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)
- $402,978 spent. Social Action Campaigns and Distribution: The Representation Project engages in active online outreach to shift the broader culture. Our regular action alerts, a short message from the organization about issues pertaining to the mission, launched in 2013. Over 100,000 people have signed up to receive a recurring action alert that features the latest research on intersectional gender issues, recommendations for positive media book reviews, film reviews, and compelling analyses of current policy topics related to gender justice. The Representation Project currently has social media handles on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Threads. The Representation Projects social action campaigns use online organizing strategies to raise consciousness and shift the attitudes and behaviors of individuals and communities worldwide so as to transform culture. The Representation Project partners with national, international, and community organizations to challenge the status quo on gender and its intersections with race, class, age, sexual orientation, and circumstance. The Representation Project creates and disseminates its messages through education and online communications, mainstream publications, media appearances, speaking engagements, viral videos, and social media campaigns. Campaigns provide people with the tools to use their voice and consumer power to challenge and dramatically change the way gender roles are portrayed in advertising, media, and mainstream culture.
- $234,792 spent. Youth Programs: The Representation Project launched youth programs in 2017 to broaden the impact of its work in the lives of young people. The Youth Media Lab is an online space where 1,300 young people ages 14 to 24 learn how to create different media types (e.g., films, podcasts, blogs, etc.) and share their work with other young content creators for feedback. The organization has hosted youth summits to inspire young people and empower them to create a world free of gender stereotypes and norms. These summits have provided hands-on training to 600+ young people ages 14 to 24. In 2024, the organization launched the pilot of its peer-to-peer gender equity training program. The curriculum includes eight modules designed for high school and college students to challenge harmful gender norms and stereotypes. Our Youth Advisory Council is comprised of gender justice advocates ages 14-22 to support our work and mission, and amplify youth vouces in the fight for equity.
- $896,917 spent. Film: The Representation Projects first film, Miss Representation, exposes the ways in which mainstream media representations of girls and women contribute to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence. The second film, The Mask You Live In, explores how Americas narrow definition of masculinity is harming our boys, men, and society at large. The third film, The Great American Lie, examines how Americas upside-down value system--built on the extreme masculine ideals of dominance, control, and aggression--has glorified money, power, and rugged individualism, institutionalizing inequality, and undermining the ability of most Americans to achieve the American dream. The fourth film, Fair Play, looks at how the gender gap in domestic and care work in the home places an undue burden on women and harms children, families, and society. Fair Play comes with a comprehensive curriculum for high school and college students that equips them to effectively address sexism in the home. The organization is currently in production of Miss Representation 2.0, a powerful follow-up to Miss Representation, and will be released in 2026. Miss Representation 2.0 exposes tech-facilitated gender-based violence and addresses the growing backlash against womens progress, mental health, and agency. In addition to the distribution of the films, The Representation Project offers age-appropriate curricula that provide youth with the opportunity to explore and apply the concepts presented in the films. Tailored curricula are designed to engage youth at different stages of development through hands-on activities and guided discussions.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending March 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2012.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.