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Brave Maker

EIN 82-5102678 · Redwood City, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood79 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BraveMaker exists to elevate brave voices. Through the curation and creation of bold, meaningful films, we educate, entertain, and build community experiences that spark transformative conversations rooted in diversity, inclusion, and social impact.

Income
$550,641
Spending
$497,953
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
1
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$132,000, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 4 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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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, 2025, 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. $262,640 spent. Film Production and Fiscal Sponsorship: Through the production of original films and fiscal sponsorship of independent filmmakers, BraveMaker supports the creation of provocative, life-changing media that fosters cultural dialogue and meaningful social impact. In 2025, BraveMaker provided fiscal sponsorship and creative support to nine independent film projects, empowering artists to bring important stories to life.
  2. $157,927 spent. Film Festival, Screenings and Community Engagement: BraveMaker hosts an annual film festival alongside monthly screenings, workshops, and community events designed to bring audiences together around essential conversations and lifes most meaningful questions. These programs advance our mission to elevate brave voices promoting justice, diversity, and inclusion.Complementing these in-person experiences, BraveMaker produces a weekly podcast that amplifies filmmakers and deepens audience engagement. The organization also curates a weekly Monday virtual support and professional development gathering for creators, fostering collaboration, mentorship, and creative sustainability.Additionally, BraveMaker organizes an annual donor and sponsor trip to the Sundance Film Festival, offering participants an immersive educational and networking experience within the independent film community.In 2025, BraveMaker presented 13 feature films through its festival and monthly screenings, along with 82 short films shown in person.
  3. $6,800 spent. Education and Workshops: BraveMaker provides ongoing arts education through weekly screenwriting, acting, and film production workshops designed to equip emerging and working artists with practical skills and collaborative opportunities.In 2025, BraveMaker trained 42 actors and facilitated the production of three short films and two feature films, supporting artists from development through completion.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 November 6, 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 2025.

    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 October 2018.

    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 November 4, 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.