Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE SAG-AFTRA FOUNDATION (THE "FOUNDATION") PROVIDES VITAL ASSISTANCE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO THE PROFESSIONALS OF SAG-AFTRA WHILE SERVING THE PUBLIC AT LARGE THROUGH ITS SIGNATURE CHILDREN'S LITERACY PROGRAM.
- Income
- $10.3 million
- Spending
- $11.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 33.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 87%
- Employees
- 74
- Volunteers
- 121
- Highest pay
- $311,644, coo
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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 33.9 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $2.7 million spent. THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM SERVES AS A CRUCIAL LIFELINE, PROVIDING HELP TO ELIGIBLE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE FACING UNEXPECTED OR EXTREME HARDSHIP, ASSISTING THEM WITH EMERGENCY EXPENSES. WE OFFER:EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR BASIC COSTS OF LIVING, SUCH AS HOUSING, MEDICAL BILLS, GROCERIES, AND UTILITIES.SHORT-TERM SUPPORTIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES WITH OUR QUALIFIED, IN-HOUSE SOCIAL WORKERS. SERVICES INCLUDE NEEDS ASSESSMENT, CRISIS INTERVENTION, EDUCATION, AND COUNSELING.CONNECTIONS AND REFERRALS TO ADDITIONAL SERVICES TO HELP MEET BASIC NEEDS, FURTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORT, HEALTHCARE, AND DISABILITY SUPPORT.DISASTER RELIEF FUND: PROVIDES URGENT FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO SAG-AFTRA MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS. IN 2025, THE SAG-AFTRA FOUNDATION'S DISASTER RELIEF FUND PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HUNDREDS OF MEMBERS AFFECTED BY THE EATON AND PALISADES FIRES. THE PROGRAM OFFERED EMERGENCY GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE MEMBERS WHO LOST THEIR HOMES OR WERE DISPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRES, HELPING TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATE NEEDS DURING THE RECOVERY PERIOD.THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS: PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR SAG-AFTRA MEMBERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS FOR STUDY AT ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, TO PURSUE RELATED PROFESSIONS WITHIN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY, OR CHANGE THEIR CAREER PATHS.THE JOHN L. DALES STANDARD SCHOLARSHIP IS AWARDED TO ELIGIBLE SAG-AFTRA MEMBERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS FOR STUDY AT ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. THE JOHN L. DALES TRANSITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP IS AWARDED TO ELIGIBLE SAG-AFTRA MEMBERS TO PURSUE RELATED PROFESSIONS WITHIN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY OR CHANGE THEIR CAREER PATHS.THE GEORGE HELLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP IS AWARDED TO ELIGIBLE SAG-AFTRA MEMBERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS FOR STUDY AT ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.KEN ORSATTI SCHOLARSHIP FUND PROVIDES ONE SCHOLARSHIP ANNUALLY TO A SAG-AFTRA EMPLOYEE WHO IS PURSUING A COLLEGE OR GRADUATE DEGREE.
- $3.7 million spent. PERFORMERS PROGRAMS: IN ORDER TO PREPARE A DYNAMIC TALENT POOL FOR SUCCESS IN THE EVOLVING ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA ENVIRONMENT, THE FOUNDATION OFFERS THE PERFORMERS PROGRAMS, A BROAD EDUCATIONAL ROSTER WITH SUBJECTS RANGING FROM AUDITION TECHNIQUE AND SELF-MARKETING TO PANEL DISCUSSIONS WITH ACCOMPLISHED ACTORS AND MODERATED TALKS WITH RESPECTED DIRECTORS. THESE PROGRAMS ENCOURAGE PERFORMING ARTISTS TO TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR CAREERS, REFINE THEIR CRAFT, LEARN NEW SKILLS, AND ESTABLISH LIFELONG HABITS OF SELF-MOTIVATED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST YEAR THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO SCALE UP IN-PERSON PERFORMERS PROGRAMS IN HOUSE AS WELL AS CONTINUING TO OFFER VIRTUAL PROGRAMS TO THE SAG-AFTRA COMMUNITY. THE FOUNDATION ALSO ADD NEW RECORDED EDUCATIONAL CONTENT TO THE FOUNDATION'S WEBSITE VIDEO GALLERY AND YOUTUBE CHANNEL, TO HELP ENSURE THAT MEMBERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND IN PERSON HAVE ACCESS TO THIS PROGRAMMING. THE BUSINESS: THE BUSINESS PROVIDES PARTICIPATING MEMBERS WITH AN ENHANCED UNDERSTANDING OF ENTERTAINMENT'S FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL MECHANICS, AS WELL AS CURRENT TRENDS AND CONDITIONS ACROSS THE INDUSTRY. ATTENDEES LEARN PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR SOCIAL MEDIA SELF-MARKETING, PRE-AUDITION PREPARATION, AND MONEY MANAGEMENT IN LARGE FORMAT SEMINARS AND HIGHLY INTERACTIVE SMALL GROUP SESSIONS. PARTICIPANTS ARE PROVIDED WITH TOOLS TO HELP THEM BEGIN TO THINK NOT ONLY AS ARTISTS, BUT ALSO AS SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, UNDERSTANDING THE VARIOUS MARKETS AND THE BUYERS WITHIN THOSE MARKETS, AND PUTTING IN PLACE LONG-TERM CAREER PLANS.CONVERSATIONS: CONVERSATIONS PROGRAMS PRESENT FILM AND TELEVISION SCREENINGS ACCOMPANIED BY MODERATED DISCUSSIONS WITH CAST MEMBERS, AS WELL AS CAREER CONVERSATIONS WITH LEADING ACTORS WHO HAVE MADE LASTING ARTISTIC AND PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE INDUSTRY. CONVERSATIONS PROGRAMMING IS CURATED WITH A FOCUS ON PROJECTS AND ASSOCIATED CASTS GENERATING BOTH CONSUMER ATTENTION AND CRITICAL HONORS, OFFERING ATTENDEES THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM FELLOW PERFORMING ARTISTS WHO ARE WORKING IN CURRENT OR RECENT PRODUCTIONS. GUEST SPEAKERS EXPLORE THE PROCESS AND PROFESSION OF ACTING AND DRILL DOWN INTO THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND ARTISTIC INFLUENCES THAT HAVE SHAPED THEIR CAREERS. THESE INSIGHTS PROVIDE BOTH NEW AND ESTABLISHED PERFORMERS IN THE AUDIENCE WITH AN EXPANDED UNDERSTANDING OF FRESH METHODS FOR APPROACHING MATERIAL, BOTH IN AUDITIONS AND WHILE WORKING ON SET.CASTING ACCESS: OFFERING CRITICAL INSIGHT INTO THE CASTING PROCESS, PROVIDING MEMBERS WITH COLD READING EXPERIENCE IN AN INTERACTIVE CLASS SETTING. PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM RESPECTED INDUSTRY CASTING PROFESSIONALS THEY MAY NOT OTHERWISE HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND LEARN FROM.VOICEOVER LAB: THIS PROGRAMMING IS DESIGNED TO PREPARE MEMBERS FOR CAREERS IN THE VOICEOVER ARTS. VO LAB PROGRAMMING PROVIDES MEMBERS WITH INSTRUCTION, CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK, AND ADVICE ON CAREER DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES FROM RESPECTED INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS IN INTERACTIVE CLASSES THAT EXPLORE PERFORMANCE TECHNIQUE IN MULTIPLE VOICEOVER SUBSETS -- INCLUDING VOICING COMMERCIALS, VOICE-TO-PICTURE PROMO WORK, AUDIOBOOK NARRATION, AND ANIMATION AND VIDEO GAME VOICE ACTING. THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO PROVIDE BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING. ON-CAMERA: MEMBERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REHEARSE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA IN OUR LA AND NY ON-CAMERA LABS, WHICH OFFER QUIET, DEDICATED SPACES WITH INDUSTRY STANDARD LIGHTING AND EQUIPMENT. STAFFED BY TRAINED ENGINEERS, THE ON-CAMERA LABS ARE CURRENTLY PROVIDING BOTH IN-PERSON AND REMOTE ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS IN WHICH OUR ENGINEERS SERVE AS READERS OR HELP MEMBERS TROUBLESHOOT TECH-RELATED ISSUES THEY MAY BE HAVING WHILE SELF-RECORDING THEIR OWN AUDITIONS. DUE TO THE DEMAND FOR THIS PROGRAM, LOS ANGELES OFFERS TWO LABS FOR IN-PERSON SESSIONS DAILY, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL AVAILABILITY FOR SESSIONS IN THE EVENING AND WEEKENDS. NEW YORK OPENED A SECOND LAB IN 2025. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION HAS PRODUCED A COLLECTION OF TECH TIPS VIDEOS WITH RELEVANT INFORMATION FOR SELF-RECORDING AUDITIONS, SUCH AS POINTERS FOR LIGHTING, BACKDROPS, AND CAMERA AND SOUND TECHNIQUE. THESE VIDEOS ARE PUBLISHED IN OUR WEBSITE VIDEO GALLERY AND ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
- $1.9 million spent. IN AUGUST 2024, THE FOUNDATION OPENED THE DOORS TO ITS NEW FACILITY IN LOS ANGELES "THE MERYL STREEP CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTISTS". THE FACILITY IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING A WIDE ARRAY OF ENTIRELY FREE EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER-BUILDING PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP SAG-AFTRA MEMBERS ADVANCE THEIR CAREERS AND REFINE THEIR SKILLS. IT INCLUDES A 100-SEAT SCREENING ROOM, VOICEOVER LABS, ON-CAMERA LABS AND CLASS ROOMS. IN ADDITION, THE CENTER HOUSES THE FOUNDATION'S EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND OFFICES.THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO HAVE OFFICES AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES LOCATED AT 1900 BROADWAY IN NEW YORK AS WELL AS THE ROBIN WILLIAMS CENTER, A 125-SEAT SCREENING ROOM LOCATED AT 247 W 54TH STREET, NEW YORK.
- $500,931 spent. LITERACY INITIATIVES - STORYLINE ONLINE CHILDREN'S LITERACY PROGRAM. STORYLINE ONLINE IS A FREE, ONLINE VIDEO LIBRARY CREATED TO SUPPORT READING DEVELOPMENT FOR CHILDREN IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FOURTH GRADE. THE PROGRAM FEATURES ACCLAIMED ACTORS WHO GENEROUSLY VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO READ BELOVED CHILDREN'S BOOKS ALOUD, PAIRED WITH IMAGINATIVE, VISUALLY RICH ILLUSTRATIONS THAT BRING EACH STORY TO LIFE.EVERY VIDEO IS ACCOMPANIED BY A COMPREHENSIVE ACTIVITY GUIDE DEVELOPED BY A CREDENTIALED ELEMENTARY EDUCATOR AND ALIGNED WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (ELA) COMMON CORE STANDARDS, MAKING THE CONTENT EASY TO USE IN CLASSROOMS, HOSPITALS, AND AT HOME. WIDELY EMBRACED BY TEACHERS, PARENTS, AND CAREGIVERS, STORYLINE ONLINE HAS BECOME AN INVALUABLE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE, REACHING MORE THAN 900 MILLION LIFETIME VIEWS AS ITS POPULARITY CONTINUES TO GROW.STORYLINE ONLINE IS AN EMMY AWARD-WINNING PROGRAM OF THE FOUNDATION. IT WAS NAMED THE #1 BEST EDUCATIONAL YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR KIDS BY PARENTS MAGAZINE IN 2021 AND HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY LEADING EDUCATION AND LITERACY ORGANIZATIONS, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIANS, THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS AND THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, UNDERSCORING ITS IMPACT AND CREDIBILITY IN THE FIELD OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.
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
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 September 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 June 1985.
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.
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