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Rocky Mountain Womens Film Institute Inc

EIN 84-1097818 · Colorado Spgs, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood77 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Rocky Mountain Women's Film builds community around film by elevating the stories of women and others who are often unheard or unseen. We believe in the unique power, connection, and strength in women-led community. See Schedule O.

Income
$465,519
Spending
$520,360
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
7.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
5
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$84,000, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 March 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 (14)
  1. $125,828 spent. Our Annual Womens Film Festival showcases independent films made by women who cover topics that include, but not limited to race, class, gender, environmental degradation, social movements, history, military criminal justice, poetry, love and family. Important to note is the Youth Outreach Program that we offer during the film festival. High school students from across El Paso County can preview films that will be featured at the festival. They are encouraged to create art in any medium they choose, to express feelings that arise from watching the films and art that are showcased throughout the festival weekend. See Schedule O On the first day of the festival, the high school students participate in a Q&A with the filmmakers. We have been told numerous times that the Youth Outreach Program and Q&A are the highlights for filmmakers. The Film Festival has existed for over 35 years and is fortunate to have volunteers and sponsors who have been with the organization since day one. We have deep roots in the Colorado Springs Community with Colorado College who offers in-kind sponsorship for use of the venue for the festival, which they have done for over 20 years. Our partnerships for the festival grow each year in the hospitality, transportation, and finance industries.
  2. $5,506 spent. Filmmakers Retreat: Every year Rocky Mountain Womens Film invites Filmmakers from around the country, all who are previous festival attendees, to spend 3 days at a beautiful ranch home in the mountains to discuss issues and challenges facing women directors, sharing resources and expertise, and creating a supportive community among female documentarians. More than anything, this weekend is about connection and rejuvenation.
  3. $5,900 spent. PopUp Cinema has continued to grow since 2022 when we started the program. The program was created in response to our communitys desire to keep local independent movie theatre alive (the last independent movie theater in Colorado Springs closed in Feb 2022).
  4. $2,179 spent. Film Club and Film in the Community are free monthly events, allowing all socioeconomic backgrounds access to engaging, powerful material. Schedule O
  5. Expenses: $2179.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $8227.00
  6. Film Club and Film in the Community are free monthly events, allowing all
  7. socioeconomic backgrounds access to engaging, powerful material. Schedule O
  8. We seek to discover, support, connect and inspire filmmakers
  9. and are committed to these values that drive our organization:
  10. community, diversity, curiosity and enrichment, quality,
  11. We strive for inclusivity with geotargeted marketing and
  12. personal outreach with as many neighborhoods as possible
  13. throughout El Paso County. Both free programs have increased
  14. in attendance, partners, and financial support.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 March 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 April 1989.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Rocky Mountain Institute (Boulder, CO), EIN 74-2244146. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.