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 12/2022, Better Angels Society Inc employed 5 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 12/2022, Better Angels Society Inc generated $9.1m in total revenue. This represents a relatively dramatic decline in revenue. Over the past 8 years, the organization has seen revenues fall by an average of (6.7%) each year. All expenses for the organization totaled $10.7m during the year ending 12/2022. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Since 2015, Better Angels Society Inc has awarded 54 individual grants totaling $85,996,842. 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
2022
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 $8.6 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR THE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS PRODUCED BY KEN BURNS WHICH ARE BROADCAST ON PBS TELEVISION STATIONS AND AVAILABLE ON PBS' DIGITAL PLATFORMS. FILMS SUPPORTED IN 2022 INCLUDED THE US AND THE HOLOCAUST, WHICH AIRED IN 2022, AMERICAN BUFFALO, WHICH WILL AIR IN 2023, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, LEONARDO DAVINCI, CRIME & PUNISHMENT, AND EMANCIPATION TO EXODUS. 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 2022 INCLUDED MARIAN ANDERSON, PLAGUE AT THE GOLDEN GATE, FLOOD IN THE DESERT, JOE PAPP IN FIVE ACTS, THE ADVENTURES OF SAUL BELLOW AND TAKEN HOSTAGE.
LEGACY - IN 2022 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 FILMMAKERS WHOSE FILMS 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.
OTHER EDUCATION INITIATIVES - IN 2022 GRANTS TOTALING $150,000 WERE MADE BY THE SOCIETY TO HELP LOCAL PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS DEVELOP AND DISTRIBUTE COMPANION TEACHING MATERIALS RELATED TO HISTORY-BASED DOCUMENTARY FILMS. THESE RESOURCES ARE USED PRIMARILY BY MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS.
Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
---|---|---|---|
Courtney Chapin Executive Director | Officer | 40 | $187,173 |
Amy Margerum Berg President | Officer | 20 | $150,000 |
Meredith Dewitt Secretary | OfficerTrustee | 4 | $0 |
John Fullerton Treasurer | OfficerTrustee | 4 | $0 |
Bobby Stein Chair | OfficerTrustee | 4 | $0 |
Patrick Butler Member | Trustee | 2 | $0 |
Vendor Name (Service) | Service Year | Compensation |
---|---|---|
Dufour & Co Llc Event And Program Consulting | 12/30/22 | $174,705 |
Koch Tv Productions (Dba Cabin Films) Program Consulting | 12/30/22 | $106,200 |
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 | $8,942,999 |
Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $0 |
Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $8,942,999 |
Total Program Service Revenue | $0 |
Investment income | $170,979 |
Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
Royalties | $0 |
Net Rental Income | $0 |
Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | -$11,140 |
Net Income from Fundraising Events | $0 |
Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
Total Revenue | $9,108,547 |
Statement of Expenses | |
---|---|
Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $9,269,060 |
Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $105,000 |
Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $369,731 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $88,947 |
Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
Other salaries and wages | $117,372 |
Pension plan accruals and contributions | $9,689 |
Other employee benefits | $8,809 |
Payroll taxes | $35,105 |
Fees for services: Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Legal | $0 |
Fees for services: Accounting | $93,575 |
Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
Fees for services: Investment Management | $16,436 |
Fees for services: Other | $302,410 |
Advertising and promotion | $156,770 |
Office expenses | $18,028 |
Information technology | $27,284 |
Royalties | $0 |
Occupancy | $1,930 |
Travel | $92,934 |
Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $0 |
Interest | $0 |
Payments to affiliates | $0 |
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $7,439 |
Insurance | $4,514 |
All other expenses | $0 |
Total functional expenses | $10,742,249 |
Balance Sheet | |
---|---|
Cash—non-interest-bearing | $195,672 |
Savings and temporary cash investments | $9,170,115 |
Pledges and grants receivable | $16,695,613 |
Accounts receivable, net | $3,048 |
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 | $30,751 |
Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $6,923 |
Investments—publicly traded securities | $3,711,963 |
Investments—other securities | $0 |
Investments—program-related | $0 |
Intangible assets | $0 |
Other assets | $0 |
Total assets | $29,814,085 |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $26,149 |
Grants payable | $0 |
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 | $26,149 |
Net assets without donor restrictions | $10,704,259 |
Net assets with donor restrictions | $19,083,677 |
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 | $29,814,085 |
Over the last fiscal year, Better Angels Society Inc has awarded $9,264,060 in support to 10 organizations.
Grant Recipient | Amount |
---|---|
Arlington, VA PURPOSE: SUPPORT FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS, OUTREACH, EDUCATION | $8,201,810 |
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS PURPOSE: SUPPORT FOR LIBRARY OF CONGRESS/LAVINE/KEN BURNS PRIZE FOR FILM | $400,000 |
New York, NY PURPOSE: SUPPORT FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS, OUTREACH, EDUCATION | $280,750 |
SKIFF MOUNTAIN FILMS PURPOSE: SUPPORT FOR AND RECOGNITION OF STUDENT DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKERS | $150,000 |
Boston, MA PURPOSE: SUPPORT FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS, OUTREACH, EDUCATION | $121,500 |
RAY LEW DOC LLC PURPOSE: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS/LAVINE/KEN BURNS PRIZE RUNNER-UP | $25,000 |
Over the last fiscal year, we have identified 14 grants that Better Angels Society Inc has recieved totaling $4,056,711.
Awarding Organization | Amount |
---|---|
Crimson Lion Foundation Boston, MA PURPOSE: TO ASSIST THE RECIPIENT IN CARRYING OUT ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSE. | $2,236,111 |
Koret Foundation San Francisco, CA PURPOSE: THE HOLOCAUST AND THE UNITED STATES DOCUMENTARY FILM PROJECT | $750,000 |
Schwab Charitable Fund San Francisco, CA PURPOSE: ARTS, CULTURE & HUMANITIES | $305,600 |
Koret Foundation San Francisco, CA PURPOSE: THE HOLOCAUST AND THE UNITED STATES DOCUMENTARY FILM PROJECT | $200,000 |
Fred A Seigel And Donna P Seigel Charitable Trust North Hampton, NH PURPOSE: DEDICATED TO EDUCATING AMERICANS ABOUT THEIR HISTORY THROUGH DOCUMENTARY FILM. | $125,000 |
Joy Foundation Aspen, CO PURPOSE: GENERAL SUPPORT | $125,000 |
Organization Name | Assets | Revenue |
---|---|---|
Better Angels Society Inc Washington, DC | $29,814,085 | $9,108,547 |
Earth Echo International Inc Washington, DC | $1,680,622 | $1,814,307 |
International Window Film Association Martinsville, VA | $402,908 | $1,103,619 |
Magfest Inc Baltimore, MD | $371,159 | $393,233 |
Middleburg Film Festival Middleburg, VA | $254,170 | $817,838 |
Environmental Film Festival In The Nations Capital Washington, DC | $507,157 | $888,056 |
Women In Film & Video Inc Washington, DC | $472,059 | $433,075 |
Video Action Inc Washington, DC | $464,494 | $514,938 |
Annapolis Film Festival Inc Annapolis, MD | $154,879 | $494,369 |
Light House Studio Inc Charlottesville, VA | $2,848,982 | $654,730 |
Docs In Progress Inc Silver Spring, MD | $181,582 | $282,359 |
Washington D C International Film Festival Inc Washington, DC | $621,399 | $297,925 |