Ethos Film Institute
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ETHOS Film Institute is organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Its primary exempt purpose is to provide arts education, media literacy training, and cultural programming through film festivals, youth initiatives, and community-based storytelling projects that advance public education and community engagement.
- Income
- $66,785
- Spending
- $66,239
- Reserves
- 0.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 78%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (4)
- World Culture Film Festival & ETHOS Film Awards ETHOS Film Institute produced educational film festival programming including the World Culture Film Festival and ETHOS Film Awards. These programs provided public screenings, filmmaker Q&A sessions, educational panels, and workshops focused on mental health awareness, recovery, cross-cultural understanding, and social impact storytelling. Programming was delivered through both in-person events and digital platforms. The festivals provided independent filmmakers with screening opportunities, professional feedback, awards recognition, and public engagement. Approximately 2,500 participants (combined in-person and online attendance, filmmakers, students, and community members) benefited from festival programming and digital content distribution.
- Youth Arts & Media Education Programs (ETHOS Kids / Educational Initiatives) (Grants $0) ETHOS delivered arts education and media literacy programming to youth through workshops, festival access, creative training sessions, and structured storytelling initiatives. Programming emphasized leadership development, digital media skills, resilience, and substance abuse prevention messaging. Youth participants engaged in hands-on creative production experiences and gained exposure to film industry processes, strengthening media literacy and confidence. Approximately 100?200 youth participants directly benefited, with broader reach through families and school engagement.
- Substance Abuse Prevention & Mental Health Storytelling Initiative (?Not Once?) ETHOS advanced public education through its ?Not Once? prevention initiative, training youth and emerging creators to develop prevention-based public service announcements and educational media promoting drug-free lifestyles. Content was distributed through public screenings, educational partnerships, and online platforms, extending the organization?s reach beyond in-person programming. This initiative contributed to the organization?s overall reach of approximately 2,500 participants across all programs during the reporting year.
- $63,239 spent. Additional services included: Volunteer workforce development and community engagement Accessibility and inclusion initiatives Educational partnerships Online content distribution and community awareness campaigns
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2023.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.