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Filter Photo NFP

EIN 46-2070232 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FILTER PHOTO'S MISSION IS TWO-FOLD: FIRST, TO SERVE AND SUPPORT THE PHOTOGRAPHIC COMMUNITIES OF CHICAGO AND THE MIDWEST; AND SECOND, TO HIGHLIGHT CHICAGO AS A VITAL CENTER OF THE NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC COMMUNITY.SINCE 2009 FILTER PHOTO HAS ORGANIZED THE ANNUAL FILTER PHOTO FESTIVAL, A MULTI-DAY CELEBRATION OF PHOTOGRAPHY THAT INCLUDES WORKSHOPS, LECTURES, EXHIBITION RECEPTIONS, ARTIST TALKS, AND OTHER DIVERSE PROGRAMMING. A PRIMARY COMPONENT OF THE FESTIVAL IS THE PORTFOLIO REVIEWS, THROUGH WHICH PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CURATORS, GALLERY DIRECTORS, EDITORS, AND OTHER ELITE PROFESSIONALS.IN 2015 FILTER PHOTO OPENED FILTER SPACE, A PERMANENT GALLERY AND PROJECT SPACE LOCATED IN CHICAGO'S WEST TOWN NEIGHBORHOOD AT 1821 WEST HUBBARD STREET, SUITE 207. FILTER SPACE HOSTS REGULAR SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING EXHIBITIONS, WORKSHOPS, AND LECTURES.

Income
$243,049
Spending
$234,318
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
4
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$44,673, executive director

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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% 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 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $139,760 spent. FILTER PHOTO FESTIVAL - FILTER PHOTO HOSTS THE ANNUAL FILTER PHOTO FESTIVAL EACH FALL. THE FESTIVAL INCLUDES PROGRAMMING BOTH FREE AND PAID INCLUDING PORTFOLIO REVIEWS, WORKSHOPS, ARTIST TALKS AND EXHIBITION RECEPTIONS
  2. $4,538 spent. CALL FOR ENTRIES - FILTER PHOTO OPENS CALL FOR ENTRIES WHERE ARTISTS PAY A SMALL FEE TO SUBMIT THEIR WORK TO BE JURIED INTO GROUP EXHIBITIONS.

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 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 2025.

    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 February 2014.

    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.