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Center for Asian American Media

EIN 94-2801493 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PRESENT STORIES THAT CONVEY THE RICHNESS AND DIVERSITY OF ASIAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCES TO THE BROADEST AUDIENCE POSSIBLE. THE CENTER DOES THIS BY FUNDING, PRODUCING, DISTRIBUTING, AND EXHIBITING FILMS, TELEVISION, LIVE PERFORMANCES AND DIGITAL MEDIA.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$5.1 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
17.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
20
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$204,988, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 68% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 September 30, 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)
  1. $2.5 million spent. Media Fund - The Organization's Media Fund program supports the creation of media projects by providing grants to filmmakers and offers training, mentorship, and educational opportunities to help media makers develop their filmmaking skills and produce new works.CAAM SELECTED 32 PROJECTS THAT WERE FUNDED THROUGH OUR OPEN CALL FOR PRODUCTION FUNDING. THE SELECTED FILMS ARE TIMELY AND REPRESENT ISSUES OF NATIONAL AND GLOBAL IMPORTANCE BY FILMMAKERS. CAAM ALSO CONTINUED TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF FILMMAKER TALENT THROUGH FELLOWSHIP AND MENTORSHIP ACTIVITIES.
  2. $788,320 spent. Festival - The Organization's Festival program presents films, panel discussions, workshops, and other events celebrating Asian American media through its annual CAAMFest festival and additional programs held throughout the year.IN MAY, 2025, CAAM PRESENTED ITS 44TH SAN FRANCISCO CAAMFEST FILM FESTIVAL. THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL PRESENTED NARRATIVE FILMS, DOCUMENTARIES AND NARRATIVES, FEATURES, TO A TOTAL AUDIENCE OF OVER 7,000. THE FESTIVAL ALSO FEATURED NUMEROUS PANELS, WORKSHOPS, AND OTHER PROGRAMMING.
  3. $466,457 spent. PTV - The Organization's PTV program places completed documentary programs for broadcast and streaming on public media platforms and through other channels accessible to the public, increasing the availability of Asian American content to nationwide audiences.CAAM PRESENTED MORE THAN 40 HOURS OF PUBLIC MEDIA BROADCAST PROGRAMS TO A CUMULATIVE AUDIENCE OF OVER 3 MILLION VIEWERS. THIS HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMING GARNERED NUMEROUS AWARDS.
  4. $397,607 spent. Digital Media - The Organization's Digital Media program uses social media and other digital platforms to inform and educate the public on topics related to Asian American media, expanding access to programming and increasing public engagement with Asian American stories and perspectives.Innovation - The Organization's Innovation program develops projects that explore new methods of media delivery and produces educational resources, including study guides and other materials that support learning and public engagement.Distribution - The Organization's Distribution program provides educational documentaries and other media to schools, teachers, libraries, community centers, and other educational institutions through sales and distribution activities, expanding access to Asian American media resources.CAAM CONTINUED TO ASSIST INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AS WELL AS THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH FILM DISTRIBUTION AND CO-PRODUCTION OF FILMS ABOUT SUBJECTS AND STORIES FEATURING ASIAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 December 1981.

    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.

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