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Los Angeles Film Studies Center

EIN 92-1343679 · Agoura Hills, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceWeak26 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 39% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

LAFSC PROVIDES PRACTICAL EDUCATION IN THE FILM AND TELEVISION ARTS THROUGH THE LENSES OF FAITH, SPIRITUALITY, AND ETHICS.

Income
$395,794
Spending
$384,905
Spent on programs
39%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 94%
Employees
3
Highest pay
$104,230, 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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 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 3% of income.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    39% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 26 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 6 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (1)
  1. $151,683 spent. HOSTED SIX STUDENTS IN OUR SEMESTER PROGRAM, PROVIDING THE FOLLOWING: A ROBUST, FAITH-BASED, ACADEMIC PROGRAM. A 16-CREDIT CURRICULUM THAT INCLUDES TRAINING IN PRACTICAL PRODUCTION, FAITH INTEGRATION, AND ELECTIVES IN SCREENWRITING, ACTING, AND VISUAL STORYTELLING. THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERN WITH A RELEVANT, ACTIVE ENTITY IN THE FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY THREE DAYS A WEEK THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER. INSTRUCTION AND ADMINISTRATION BY LAFSC FACULTY, STAFF, AND ALUMNI WHO ARE WORKING PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD AND HAVE CONNECTIONS TO THE HOLLYWOOD INDUSTRY. ACCESS TO SPECIAL GUESTS WHO ARE FRIENDS OF THE PROGRAM AND ALSO LEADERS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS (PRODUCERS, DIRECTORS, WRITERS, ACTORS, ETC.). AN ON-THE-GROUND, IN-LOS ANGELES EXPERIENCE DURING WHICH STUDENTS WILL LIVE IN THE HOLLYWOOD AREA, BE INTRODUCED TO THE PEOPLE AND CULTURE OF THE FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY, AND DEVELOP A COMMUNITY WITH LIKE-MINDED PEERS, MENTORS, AND ALUMNI. HOSTED SIX STUDENTS IN OUR SEMESTER PROGRAM, PROVIDING THE FOLLOWING: A ROBUST, FAITH-BASED, ACADEMIC PROGRAM. A 16-CREDIT CURRICULUM THAT INCLUDES TRAINING IN PRACTICAL PRODUCTION, FAITH INTEGRATION, AND ELECTIVES IN SCREENWRITING, ACTING, AND VISUAL STORYTELLING. THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERN WITH A RELEVANT, ACTIVE ENTITY IN THE FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY THREE DAYS A WEEK THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER. INSTRUCTION AND ADMINISTRATION BY LAFSC FACULTY, STAFF, AND ALUMNI WHO ARE WORKING PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD AND HAVE CONNECTIONS TO THE HOLLYWOOD INDUSTRY. ACCESS TO SPECIAL GUESTS WHO ARE FRIENDS OF THE PROGRAM AND ALSO LEADERS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS (PRODUCERS, DIRECTORS, WRITERS, ACTORS, ETC.). AN ON-THE-GROUND, IN-LOS ANGELES EXPERIENCE DURING WHICH STUDENTS WILL LIVE IN THE HOLLYWOOD AREA, BE INTRODUCED TO THE PEOPLE AND CULTURE OF THE FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY, AND DEVELOP A COMMUNITY WITH LIKE-MINDED PEERS, MENTORS, AND ALUMNI.

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 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 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 2023.

    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.