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Yellow Dot Studios Inc

EIN 92-3299803 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceFair58 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 41% 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

THE PRIMARY ACTIVITY OF THE ORGANIZATION WILL BE TO PRODUCE VIDEOS AND OTHER CONTENT TO BUILD AWARENESS TO THE PUBLIC OF THE PUSH FOR URGENT CLIMATE ACTION.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
41%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
4
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$325,485, managing dir/head of produ

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. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    41% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    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

    0 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, 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 (1)
  1. $743,612 spent. YELLOW DOT CREATES ENTERTAINING, MEMORABLE, AND SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE VIDEOS AND (OTHER STUFF) TO CHALLENGE DECADES OF DISINFORMATION PUSHED BY OIL COMPANIES AND AMPLIFIED BY LARGE SWATHS OF ELECTED LEADERS AND THE MEDIA. BY SHINING A LIGHT ON THE URGENCY, RESPONSIBLE PARTIES, AND SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN SOLUTIONS, WE AIM TO EMPOWER MORE PEOPLE TO BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT WE'RE FACING AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT. YELLOW DOT IS FUNDED BY PHILANTHROPISTS, COMMISSIONED WORK, AND REGULAR PEOPLE. THE ORGANIZATION AIMS TO SUPPORT THE CREATIVES, ORGANIZATIONS, SCIENTISTS, AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SIMILARLY ALLIED WITH THE CAUSE OF CONTINUED HUMAN EXISTENCE ON EARTH.

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 June 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.