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Des Moines Film Society

EIN 47-4857561 · Des Moines, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak22 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DES MOINES FILM UTILIZES THE VARSITY CINEMA AS A HUB FOR THE LOCAL FILM COMMUNITY TO CONNECT FACE-TO-FACE, HIGHLIGHT DIVERSE VOICES AND CHALLENGING TOPICS, AND PROVIDE A SPACE FOR DEEPER ENGAGEMENT. VARSITY CINEMA ALSO ACTS AS AN INCLUSIVE SPACE THAT SPARKS DISCUSSION AND MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE WHERE THE BROADER COMMUNITY CAN EXPERIENCE NEW, SOMETIMES CHALLENGING, IDEAS ON SCREEN.

Income
$837,959
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
-31.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 61%
Employees
24
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$92,250, 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

Weak: 22 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 79% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 62 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $893,851 spent. MORE THAN 200 FILMS SCREENED AT VARSITY CINEMA THROUGHOUT 2024, INCLUDING PRESTIGE NEW RELEASES, THE BEST OF ART HOUSE AND INTERNATIONAL, CURATED REPERTORY SERIES AND MORE. MANY FILMS WERE ACCOMPANIED BY PANEL CONVERSATIONS OR OTHER INTERACTIONS WITH FILMMAKERS AND SPECIAL GUESTS, OFTEN IN COLLABORATION WITH FELLOW LOCAL NONPROFITS. THIS YEAR ALSO SAW THE LAUNCH OF VARSITY SUMMER CAMP, PROVIDING AN IMMERSIVE INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL FILMS FOR ELEMENTARY AGED STUDENTS. DES MOINES FILM ALSO UTILIZED CASH RESERVES TO PURCHASE THE BUILDING NEXT-DOOR TO THE VARSITY FOR FUTURE EXPANSION AS THE VARSITY FILM CENTER & LOFTS.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 November 2015.

    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.