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Vidiots Foundation

EIN 45-4712121 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE VIDIOTS FOUNDATION IS A COMMUNITY HUB FOR ANYONE PASSIONATE ABOUT FILM, DEDICATED TO THE CINEMATIC AND MEDIA ARTS IN THE FORM OF PRESERVING AND PROTECTING OUT COLLECTION OF OVER 50,000 RARE AND CLASSIC VHS, DVD AND BLU-RAY TITLES.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 64%
Employees
41
Volunteers
177
Highest pay
$119,682, executive director

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 60% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 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

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

    8 of 8 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 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. $2.1 million spent. WE CELEBRATE CINEMA AND THE VITALITY OF INDEPENDENT ART THROUGH EDUCATION, ARCHIVAL PRESERVATION AND ACCESSIBILITY. THE VIDIOTS FOUNDATION CONNECTS PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE EVOLVING MEDIA, TAKING VIDEO STORE CULTURE INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.SHARING OUR LOVE OF CINEMA THROUGH DISCOVERY AND THE ACT OF BROWSING. WE STRIVE TO INSPIRE CONVERSATION OVER THE FILMS WE LOVE, PRESERVING THE EXPERIENCE OF FILM AS COMMUNITY. ARCHIVING OUR RATE VHS AND DVD WITH A GOAL TO DIGITIZE ALL RATE VHS TAPES WE HAVE IN OUR CURATED LIBRARY, KEEPING THEM AS AN ACCESSIBLE RESOURCE TO THE COMMUNITY, SOMEDAY EXISTING ON-LINE FOR FILE LOVERS ALL OVER THE WORLD. PROGRAMMING OUR SPACE AS A COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER WITH EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS TO CULTIVATE MERGING FILMMAKERS, ALONG WITH PANELS, EVENTS AND SCREENINGS FOR ANYONE PASSIONATE ABOUT FILM.

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? 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 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 April 2013.

    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.