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Passes our checks

Doc Society Inc

EIN 46-1094197 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO UNLEASH THE TRANSFORMATIONAL POWER OF INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY FILM. WE SERVE INDIVIDUAL FILMMAKERS AND THE GROWING NETWORK OF PARTNERS WHO SUPPORT THEM GLOBALLY. WE HELP BUILD NEW MODELS, AIMING TO INNOVATE, SHARE FREELY AND INNOVATE AGAIN.A COMMITMENT TO ANTI-RACISM, ECONOMIC EQUITY AND CLIMATE JUSTICE IS EMBEDDED IN AND INFORMS ALL WE DO TO PROMOTE DIGNITY AND BELONGING.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
3
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$161,519, secy/treasurer & executive director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 13 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 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 (1)
  1. $1.8 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKERS WORLDWIDE BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND STRATEGIC GUIDANCE TO ADVANCE IMPACTFUL STORYTELLING. OUR MISSION INCLUDES: - PROVIDING PRODUCTION FINANCING AND STRATEGIC SUPPORT TO INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS. - FACILITATING PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN FILMMAKERS AND OTHER PHILANTHROPIC FUNDERS TO STRENGTHEN DOCUMENTARY PROJECTS WITH SOCIAL IMPACT. - ORGANIZING AND LEADING LABS AND WORKSHOPS TO ENGAGE STORYTELLING COMMUNITIES REGIONALLY, NATIONALLY, AND INTERNATIONALLY. - ASSISTING FILMMAKERS IN DEVELOPING IMPACT STRATEGIES TO REACH BROADER AUDIENCES, INCLUDING UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS.THROUGH CULTURAL STRATEGY INITIATIVES, THE ORGANIZATION SEEKS TO FOSTER STORYTELLING THAT CONTRIBUTES TO MORE JUST, INCLUSIVE SOCIETIES AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURES. OUR LABS MODEL HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED AND ADAPTED ACROSS VARIOUS REGIONS, INCLUDING THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON, EAST AND WEST AFRICA, SOUTH ASIA, MENA, AND EUROPE.BEYOND GRANTMAKING AND CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT, THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO STRENGTHENING INDEPENDENT VOICES, REACHING UNDERSERVED AUDIENCES, AND FACILITATING CRITICAL PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS THAT EXTEND BEYOND MAINSTREAM MEDIA.

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

  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 March 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 January 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.