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Dance Film Sf Inc

EIN 45-5001060 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Dance Film SF DFSF brings dance to wider audiences through the presentation and development of dance-based films. We celebrate the best dance films from around the world, encourage and assist choreographers and filmmakers in the creation of new danceworks specifically created for camera, and educate and engage diverse audiences in the wonderful world of dance.

Income
$896,307
Spending
$782,411
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 81%
Employees
6
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$72,000, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 93% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    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, 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. $323,880 spent. PRODUCTION PROJECTS: Dance Film SF's Production Projects support the creation and development of innovative dance-based media through collaborating with artists, facilitating commissions, assisting production projects, editorial support and presenting original dance films. Production projects encourage artists to think collaboratively, explore possibilities for expression outside their fields and hopefully inspire future creative relationships. DFSF offers opportunities by engaging professional artists through its Co-Laboratory CO-LAB program that provides tailored editorial feedback throughout the production process to help artists refine their work. The Co-Lab films premiere at the annual San Francisco Dance Film Festival and then screen at other festivals in the U.S. and abroad, putting a spotlight on San Francisco's dance and film communities. These initiatives are designed to nurture emerging and established voices in dance film, encouraging experimentation while helping projects reach completion and wider audiences.
  2. $294,860 spent. EVENTS: Founded in 2010 by dancer and filmmaker Greta Schoenberg, the San Francisco Dance Film Festival SFDFF began as a modest screening series and quickly grew into a major international platform for dance on camera. With the addition of Executive Director Judy Flannery in 2013 and a partnership with European Dance Screen, the festival expanded into a multi-day event featuring global submissions, industry panels, and workshops. By its tenth anniversary in 2019, SFDFF spanned ten days across multiple venues, showcasing everything from feature documentaries to shorts programs. Now a leading voice in the field, Dance Film SF presents year-round events beyond the festival, including one-off screenings, artist talks, and community-focused programming. These events bring together diverse audiences, elevate new talent, and introduce dance to viewers beyond traditional performance spaces. Since 2020, streaming services have extended the organization's reach, while the festival's closing night continues to be a beloved celebration of the Bay Area's vibrant dance and film communities.
  3. $45,412 spent. Education & Outreach: Dance Film SF creates Educational and Outreach programs to reach wider audiences and foster a deeper appreciation for dance and film. Year-round activities including special screenings, panels, and filmmaking workshops. Touring and outreach programs send highlight reels to international screens and dance media into local schools. Industry events allow Dance Film SF to partner and collaborate with other organizations and venues to create and present curated programs, live performances and films. To nurture emerging talent, DFSF conducts filmmaking workshops that focus on the intersection of dance and film. These workshops cover various aspects of production, from choreography for the camera to editing techniques, equipping participants with the skills needed to create compelling dance films.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 September 2012.

    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.