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Animals United Movement

EIN 45-3368884 · Sebastopol, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood79 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A.U.M. FILMS AND MEDIA'S mission is to effectively and efficiently represent and elevate a harmonious voice for all life on this planet. We promote awareness and equality for all beings and the environment through all forms of media, social and environmental justice advocacy projects, and educational centers. We feel the best way to actualize world peace and to make our planet survive, and even thrive, is through a movement towards compassionate co-existence.

Income
$876,072
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
8.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 87%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$93,750, treasurer

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 3 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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)
  1. $906,973 spent. DOCUMENTARY FILM PRODUCTION - A.U.M. FILMS CREATES, PRODUCES AND SUPPORTS DOCUMENTARY FILMS WHICH UNCOVER HARMFUL INDUSTRIES FACING PEOPLE AND THE PLANET AND INVESTIGATES WHY THESE PRACTICES ARE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE. DURING THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2019, THE ORGANIZATION WAS IN PRODUCTION WITH IT'S THIRD FULL-LENGTH DOCUMENTARY FILM, "SEASPIRACY," WHICH FOCUSES ON THE WORLD'S OCEANS, AND THE VARIOUS LEADING ISSUES CAUSING THEM TO BE DESTROYED. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE FILM "SLAY", A FILM BEING PRODUCED BY LET US BE HEROES, LTD. THE ORGANIZATION CREATED AND/OR PROVIDED CONSULTATION AND/OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO VARIOUS OTHER FILM PRODUCTIONS FURTHERING ITS EXEMPT PURPOSE.THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO RECEIVE REVENUES FROM INTERNET STREAMING CONTRACTS AND DVD AND DOWLOAD SALES OF ITS TWO PREVIOUSLY RELEASED DOCUMENTARY FILMS WHICH HAVERECEIVED NUMEROUS AWARDS. "COWSPIRACY: THE SUSTAINABILITY SECRET" (2014) IS ANAWARD-WINNING FEATURE-LENGTH ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTARY WHICH UNCOVERS THE ANIMALAGRICULTURE INDUSTRY'S DAMAGING EFFECT ON DEFORESTATION, WATER CONSUMPTION ANDPOLLUTION AND HOW THE LEADERS IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT REFUSE TO TALK ABOUT IT."WHAT THE HEALTH" (2017) IS A FOLLOW-UP DOCUMENTARY FILM WHICH UNCOVERS THE SECRET TO PREVENTING AND EVEN REVERSING CHRONIC DISEASES AND INVESTIGATES WHY THE NATIONS'LEADING HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS ARE NOT INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT IT. YOU CAN LEARNMORE ABOUT THESE FILMS AT WWW.COWSPIRACY.COM AND WWW.WHATTHEHEALTHFILM.COM.THE ORGANIZATION ALSO RECEIVES ROYALTY FEES FROM THE SALE OF MEAL PLANS BRANDED WITH"WHAT THE HEALTH." ALSO PROVIDE EDUCATION CENTER

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

  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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2014 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2014.

    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 December 2024.

    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 August 2014.

    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.