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Blackstar Projects Inc

EIN 75-3129761 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood88 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROMOTING FILM AND VISUAL CULTURE BY PEOPLE OF COLOR, BLACKSTAR IS FOCUSED ON CREATING THE SPACES AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO UPLIFT THE WORK OF BLACK, BROWN AND INDIGENOUS ARTISTS WORKING OUTSIDE OF THE CONFINES OF GENRE.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$4.7 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
24
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$238,649, artistic director & ceo

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    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

    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 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. $3.3 million spent. THE BLACKSTAR FILM FESTIVAL IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF VISUAL AND STORYTELLING TRADITIONS OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA AND OTHER GLOBAL COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. THE FESTIVAL CELEBRATED ITS 13TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2024.OUR PHILADELPHIA FILMMAKER LAB SUPPORTS FOUR BLACK, BROWN AND INDIGENOUS FILMMAKERS BY MAKING EQUIPMENT, SPACE, CREW, MENTORSHIP, FUNDING AND CRITICAL FEEDBACK AVAILABLE OVER THE COURSE OF A 12-MONTH PROGRAM. BLACKSTAR ACTS AS AN EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ON THE SHORT FILMS CREATED DURING THE LAB AND PREMIERES THE FILMS AT THE FOLLOWING YEAR'S FESTIVAL.THE WILLIAM AND LOUISE GREAVES FILMMAKER SEMINAR IS AN ANNUAL GATHERING FOR BLACK, BROWN, AND INDIGENOUS ARTISTSWORKING IN CINEMATIC REALMS, WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK, VIEW CURATED SCREENINGS, AND MEET INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND FUNDERS.

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? 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 November 2003.

    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.