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The Media Factory

EIN 46-0469007 · Burlington, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceFair55 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

See Schedule O

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
18.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
36
Volunteers
89
Highest pay
$105,582, 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

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% 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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 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 (5)
  1. $332,479 spent. The Media Factorys main programs are the public access,educational access and government access services we provide at no cost to our community. Our public access program provides members with production equipment and limited staff support to produce non-commercial video content of a community interest nature. The Media Factory remains content neutral, acting as a conduit between the community member and the community itself. Resources include a production studio, multiple edit suites, equipment available for offsite use. Facilities and resources are available to anyone who lives or works in the Media Factorys service area as determined by contractual obligations with the local cable providers.
  2. $332,479 spent. The Media Factory provides educational access services for a number of towns in northwestern Vermont, including Chittenden County and Northern Addison County, determined by contractual obligations with local cable providers and regulated by state franchising authority. Educational access services provide the opportunity for schools, other educational organizations, and community scholars to acquire, produce and cablecast educational programs, arts and cultural events, learning events and educational policy coverage via the Media Factorys educational access channels.
  3. $166,239 spent. The Media Factory also provides government access services for a number of towns in southern Chittenden County and Northern Addison County, determined by contractual obligations with local cable providers and regulated by state franchising authority. Media Factory staff attends and records local municipal meetings, prepares content for distribution and then distributes through local government access channel and web site.
  4. Program Service Expenses 166,239, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 The Media Factory has an educational mission and services related to media content production. The Media Factory has regularly scheduled workshops that introduce community members to media production techniques. The Media Factory also has additional educational resources that include specialized seminars, one on one training sessions, online and onsite training resources. The Media factory also operates a community radio program that includes lowpower FM radio station operations as part of their media education mission.
  5. Program Service Expenses 110,826, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 The Media Factorys additional programs include its Community Partner Services which provide in-house production services for areas identified as important community interest programming, incoporating video content into social media strategies and developing other media strategies for local nonprofits and community organizatios, media education, and facilities rentals.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 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 September 7, 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 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.