Moonshot Initiative
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
- Only 11% 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
Increase awareness around the importance of representation in film and television
- Income
- $174,960
- Spending
- $190,259
- Spent on programs
- 11%
- Reserves
- -0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 62%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 50
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
Weak: 19 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 564% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1511% 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: 44 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- Moonshot Film Challenge is a flagship program that places women and gender-expansive filmmakers on professional production crews to write, shoot, and edit a short film in 78 hours. Participants receive access to over $1,000,000 in professional cinema equipment, full production insurance, hands-on technical training, and mentorship from industry professionals. Women and gender-expansive people fill every leadership role on each production, including director, producer, and cinematographer. The organization has supported the production of 41 short films, reaching over 1,200 filmmakers, with 150-plus festival acceptances. 99.4% of participants report they would hire or refer a fellow participant for future work.
- Moonshot Accelerator is a competitive fellowship program for emerging television writers from underrepresented communities. Fellows receive script development support, pitch coaching, and professional development before meeting directly with development executives at major networks and streaming platforms including HBO, Netflix, Showtime, Starz, Neon, Comedy Central, and Warner Bros. To date, the program has served 31 fellows, with 84% receiving a script request following their pitch meeting. Fellows have gone on to secure writers room positions and active development deals.
- Moonshot Initiative provides free professional development programming for emerging film and television professionals through workshops, courses, and networking events. Sessions are led by working industry professionals including directors, showrunners, screenwriters, and casting directors, covering topics ranging from craft and storytelling to career navigation and industry access. The program has reached nearly 6,000 New York-based attendees and generated over 20,000 global sign-ups.
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
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2023.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.