Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Cinequest Inc

EIN 77-0250734 · San Jose, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Cinequest fuses innovation with the arts to empower creators, youth, and audiences through film, creativity, and technologyconnecting people, stories, and ideas to inspire and transform lives.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 61%
Employees
9
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$144,000, president/co-founder

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: 39 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 64% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 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

Strong: 94 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 7 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 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 (2)
  1. $1.7 million spent. The Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival is Cinequest's flagship program, uniting artists, innovators, and audiences through film, storytelling, and technology. The 2024 festival presented over 250 films from 50 countries and hosted more than 30,000 in-person attendees in downtown San Jose, plus tens of thousands more online via CINEJOY. The event featured world and U.S. premieres, forums, and celebrations connecting creators and audiences with new ideas and technologies.Cinequest's programs directly supported hundreds of filmmakers and writers by providing exhibition, promotion, and networking opportunities that resulted in distribution deals and industry recognition. The festival also boosted the local economy by generating more than $9 million in revenue for downtown San Jose's restaurants, hotels, and businesses.Through the combination of film, creativity, and innovation, Cinequest's annual festival continues to inspire audiences and empower artistsadvancing its charitable mission to connect people and transform lives through the arts.The CINEJOY Virtual Festival, created by Cinequest during the pandemic, continues to expand global access to art, storytelling, and innovation. In 2024, CINEJOY presented more than 150 films and interactive events to viewers in over 60 countries, providing a premium online venue for independent filmmakers and audiences who cannot attend in person. The platform showcases films, VR experiences, and live conversations with creators using cutting-edge digital tools to connect communities worldwide.CINEJOY has become a vital part of Cinequest's mission to make "Creativity for All" a realityempowering diverse voices, expanding audience reach, and fostering inclusive access to the arts through technology.
  2. $26,994 spent. Picture the Possibilities (PTP) is Cinequest's global youth program empowering underserved young people to create films that express their visions and voices. Through hands-on workshops, mentorship, and the "7 Powers of Creating" curriculum, participants learn every stage of filmmakingfrom idea development to production and public presentation.In 2024, PTP engaged youth through a combination of in-person city sessions and online programs, providing mentorship from professional filmmakers and exposure to industry-standard tools. Participants will often share their work at Cinequest, gaining confidence, creative skills, and a platform to inspire others.By giving youth the opportunity to tell their own stories, PTP advances Cinequest's mission of empowerment through creativityhelping young people realize that they have the power to create their future and positively impact their communities.

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 May 1994.

    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.