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Portland Film Festival

EIN 46-2855155 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceWeak27 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PORTLAND FILM FESTIVAL IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO NURTURING FILMMAKERS AND AUDIENCES AND TO CELEBRATING THE POWER OF A GOOD STORY. THE FESTIVAL FOCUSES ON THE PEOPLE, IDEAS, TECHNOLOGY, SKILLS AND ARTISTRY BEHIND FILMMAKING AND PROVIDES BOTH ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO THE PUBLIC AND FILMMAKERS.

Income
$307,194
Spending
$297,194
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
280

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, 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 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 27 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 5 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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, 2023, 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. $191,260 spent. WE SCREENED OVER 200 INDEPENDENT FILMS MORE THAN ANY OTHER FESTIVAL IN THE STATE BRINGING A WEALTH OF DIVERSE, ARTISTIC VOICES TO PORTLAND AND REAFFIRMING OUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING INDEPENDENT CINEMA.
  2. $14,600 spent. WE RESCUED OVER TWENTY TWO PALLETS OF USED MUSIC AND MOVIES THAT WERE ORIGINALLY DESTINED FOR THE LANDFILL. INSTEAD OF LETTING THEM GO TO WASTE, WE ORGANIZED AND SOLD THEM TO FESTIVAL GUESTS FOR JUST A DOLLAR EACH. NOT ONLY DID THE FUNDS HELP COVER FESTIVAL COSTS, BUT THE INITIATIVE ALSO MADE A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT BY REPURPOSING THESE ITEMS, REDUCING WASTE, AND PROMOTING SUSTAINABILITY.
  3. $13,900 spent. DIRECTORS CHAT - DIRECTORS WERE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF A CROWD AT THE FESTIVAL HEADQUARTERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, 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 2023.

    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 April 2015.

    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.