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Catapult Film Fund

EIN 47-2942570 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceWeak43 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Catapult Film Fund provides development funding to help story-driven and cinematicdocumentary films get off the ground. Catapult is not tied to any specific social issue agenda. We support and encourage filmmakers to tell a full range of stories on film in whatever form fits.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
4
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$142,016, dir/prog officer

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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 62% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% 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

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 4 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $1.1 million spent. Catapult's Development Grant program provides up to $25,000 to documentary filmmakers who have a strong story to tell, have secured access, and are ready to create a fundraising piece to help unlock critical production funding. We enable filmmakers to develop their projects to the next level, at the early stage when funding is hard to find. We support powerful and moving storytelling by filmmakers with a strong voice across a broad spectrum of subject matter. In addition to the Development Grant, recipients have access to a mentorship program with the Catapult team, in areas including story development, production process, fundraising and distribution strategy. Catapult also provides opportunities for grantees to apply for additional financial support in the form of Momentum Grants and Consulting Grant, when they reach a point in their filmmaking process when an infusion of funds can propel them to their next step. Examples include hiring an editor, getting transcripts translated, archival research, or music composition.
  2. $73,279 spent. Catapult Film Fund also partners with The True/False Film Festival for the annual Rough Cut Retreat (RCR), a one-of-a-kind mentorship experience. Launched in 2016, RCR unites nonfiction filmmakers and mentors in a creative, supportive, and engaged atmosphere. The annual Rough Cut Retreat offers filmmakers & their projects thoughtful feedback to help move films from a rough cut to a final cut with an eye on winter festival deadlines which they can seek to bring on additional key team members, partners, and funders. The fellowship is geared towards emerging filmmakers who have directed short films previously and for whom this is their first feature, or for filmmakers who have directed one or two features already. Mentors are selected who share our values of artistic curiosity and generosity of spirit.
  3. $69,974 spent. Catapults Research Grant offers grants of $10,000 USD and dedicated mentorship to U.S.-based filmmakers in the early conception phase of a documentary feature or short. Launched in 2020, this intensive program supports a cohort of filmmakers who share a desire to deepen their craft and an ongoing commitment to the art of nonfiction storytelling. The grant can be used for a variety of needs for developing new nonfiction film ideas including: research, writing, travel, crew, identifying and gaining access to protagonists, and any preliminary production costs associated with shaping the artistic vision or capturing early footage. To assist their process, filmmakers are paired with an advisor based on their specific project needs and goals. Participating filmmakers must commit attendance and participation for the full program, which includes live virtual sessions as a cohort and one-on-one calls with dedicated advisors. Advisors are selected who share our values of artistic curiosity and generosity of spirit.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2017 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2017.

    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 June 2017.

    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.