Better Angels Society Inc
- Assets
- $27.6m
- Revenue
- $11.0m
- Investments
- $0.0
- Employees
- 7
- Location
- Washington, DC
- Founding
- 02/2013
- Data as of
- 12/2023
- EIN
- 45-4587107
Organization Overview
Better Angels Society Inc is located in Washington, DC. The organization was established in 2013. According to its NTEE Classification (A31) the organization is classified as: Film & Video, under the broad grouping of Arts, Culture & Humanities and related organizations. As of 12/2023, Better Angels Society Inc employed 7 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Better Angels Society Inc is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 12/2023, Better Angels Society Inc generated $11.0m in total revenue. This represents a relatively dramatic decline in revenue. Over the past 9 years, the organization has seen revenues fall by an average of (4.0%) each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $13.3m during the year ending 12/2023. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Since 2015, Better Angels Society Inc has awarded 50 individual grants totaling $85,386,145. If you would like to learn more about the grant giving history of this organization, scroll down to the grant profile section of this page.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2023
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
ENSURE HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY FILMS ARE FUNDED/SHARED THRU EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH & CIVIC DISCOURSE.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
FILM PRODUCTION, OUTREACH AND EDUCATION - THE SOCIETY PROVIDED OVER $11.3 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR THE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS PRODUCED BY KEN BURNS AND LYNN NOVICK WHICH ARE BROADCAST ON PBS TELEVISION STATIONS AND AVAILABLE ON PBS' DIGITAL PLATFORMS. FILMS SUPPORTED IN 2023 INCLUDED THE AMERICAN BUFFALO, WHICH AIRED IN 2023, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, LEONARDO DAVINCI, CRIME & PUNISHMENT, AND EMANCIPATION TO EXODUS AND LBJ & THE GREAT SOCIETY. IN ADDITION, THROUGH ITS BETTER ANGELS STORIES INITIATIVE, THE SOCIETY SUPPORTED AMERICAN DOCUMENTARY FILMS BY A NUMBER OF OTHER FILMMAKERS. FILMS SUPPORTED BY THE SOCIETY WHICH AIRED ON PBS MEMBER STATIONS IN 2023 INCLUDED THE LIE DETECTORS, ZORA NEALE HURSTON: CLAIMING A SPACE, RUTHLESS: MONOPOLY'S SECRET HISTORY, THE SUN QUEEN, CASA SUSANNA, THE BUSSING BATTLEGROUND, THE HARVEST: INTEGRATING MISSISSIPPI'S SCHOOLS, MAX ROACH: THIS DRUM ALSO WALTZES AND THE WAR ON DISCO.
LEGACY - IN 2023 THE SOCIETY AWARDED THE FOURTH ANNUAL LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LAVINE/KEN BURNS PRIZE FOR FILM TO SUPPORT AMERICAN HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING AND ENCOURAGE A GROWING COMMUNITY OF DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKERS WORKING ON BRINGING AMERICA'S STORIES TO LIGHT. IT OVERSAW THE SECOND YEAR OF THE BETTER ANGELS LAVINE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM, A MENTORING PROGRAM FOR PROMISING FILMS THAT WERE NOT SELECTED AS FINALISTS FOR THIS PRIZE BUT DEMONSTRATE THE POTENTIAL FOR EXCELLENCE. IN ADDITION, THE SOCIETY RECOGNIZED NEXT GENERATION ANGELS, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO HAVE DEVELOPED HISTORY DOCUMENTARY FILMS, THROUGH ITS AWARDS PROGRAM. THE SOCIETY ALSO CONTINUED TO BUILD THE KEN BURNS PUBLIC DIALOGUE INITIATIVE, A PARTNERSHIP WITH GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY TO ADVANCE THE USE OF HISTORY DOCUMENTARY FILMS IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS, AND BRING ACADEMIC DISCOURSE TO THE PUBLIC.
Get More from Intellispect for FreeCreate a free account to get more data, nonprofit salaries, advanced search and more.
Board, Officers & Key Employees
| Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
Bobby Stein Chair | OfficerTrustee | 4 | $0 |
Meredith Dewitt Secretary | OfficerTrustee | 4 | $0 |
John Fullerton Treasurer | OfficerTrustee | 4 | $0 |
Hal Brierley Member | Trustee | 2 | $0 |
Patrick Butler Member | Trustee | 2 | $0 |
Nancy J Cable Member | Trustee | 2 | $0 |
Outside Vendors & Contractors
| Vendor Name (Service) | Service Year | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
Dufour & Co Llc Marketing | 12/30/23 | $187,778 |
Koch Tv Productions (Dba Cabin Films) Grant Management | 12/30/23 | $111,650 |
Financial Statements
| Statement of Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Federated campaigns | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 |
| Fundraising events | $0 |
| Related organizations | $0 |
| Government grants | $0 |
| All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $10,620,983 |
| Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $0 |
| Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $10,620,983 |
| Total Program Service Revenue | $0 |
| Investment income | $387,818 |
| Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Net Rental Income | $0 |
| Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | -$7,922 |
| Net Income from Fundraising Events | $0 |
| Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
| Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
| Total Revenue | $11,000,879 |
| Statement of Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $11,370,184 |
| Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $375,000 |
| Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
| Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $319,447 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $90,627 |
| Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
| Other salaries and wages | $215,814 |
| Pension plan accruals and contributions | $16,534 |
| Other employee benefits | $30,088 |
| Payroll taxes | $41,808 |
| Fees for services: Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Legal | $6,750 |
| Fees for services: Accounting | $102,756 |
| Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
| Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
| Fees for services: Investment Management | $16,390 |
| Fees for services: Other | $237,141 |
| Advertising and promotion | $87,543 |
| Office expenses | $31,132 |
| Information technology | $27,986 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Occupancy | $2,987 |
| Travel | $41,349 |
| Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
| Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $59,471 |
| Interest | $0 |
| Payments to affiliates | $0 |
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $6,837 |
| Insurance | $4,881 |
| All other expenses | $0 |
| Total functional expenses | $13,274,082 |
| Balance Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Cash—non-interest-bearing | $1,783,970 |
| Savings and temporary cash investments | $10,598,333 |
| Pledges and grants receivable | $11,625,534 |
| Accounts receivable, net | $0 |
| Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
| Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
| Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
| Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
| Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $15,956 |
| Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $2,160 |
| Investments—publicly traded securities | $3,623,813 |
| Investments—other securities | $0 |
| Investments—program-related | $0 |
| Intangible assets | $0 |
| Other assets | $0 |
| Total assets | $27,649,766 |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $9,780 |
| Grants payable | $11,583 |
| Deferred revenue | $0 |
| Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
| Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
| Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
| Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Other liabilities | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $21,363 |
| Net assets without donor restrictions | $9,949,097 |
| Net assets with donor restrictions | $17,679,306 |
| Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
| Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
| Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
| Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $27,649,766 |
Grants Awarded
Over the last fiscal year, Better Angels Society Inc has awarded $11,370,184 in support to 6 organizations.
| Grant Recipient | Amount |
|---|---|
GREATER WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION INC PURPOSE: SUPPORT FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS, OUTREACH, EDUCATION | $10,874,334 |
WNET PURPOSE: SUPPORT FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS, OUTREACH, EDUCATION | $183,600 |
WGBH EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION PURPOSE: SUPPORT FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS, OUTREACH, EDUCATION | $267,250 |
MIDDLEBURG FILM FESTIVAL PURPOSE: SUPPORT FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS, OUTREACH, EDUCATION | $15,000 |
NATIONAL HISTORY DAY PURPOSE: NEXT GENERATION ANGELS | $20,000 |
PHILADELPHIA FILM SOCIETY PURPOSE: NEXT GENERATION ANGELS | $10,000 |