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← FIRST LOOK INSTITUTE INC

Form 990 for tax year 2022

Filed by FIRST LOOK INSTITUTE INC.

What the amendment changed

Compared with the return it replaced , filed 15 November 2023. matched by us Only the return's totals, a 990-PF's accounting method and the names listed in Part VII (Part VIII on a 990-PF) are compared. We relate returns by organization, tax year and form, and order them by each return's own timestamp; the filer's own "amended return" checkbox is a separate fact.

Program services expenses
$24,373,718 changed to $24,473,918
Fundraising expenses
$1,183,223 changed to $1,083,023
Program service expenses (Part III)
$24,373,718 changed to $24,473,918

Totals

Total revenue
$36,699,021
Total expenses
$25,556,941
Contributions and grants received
$35,004,347
Grants paid
$431,500
Program service revenue
$2,206,513
Investment income
-$555,738
Other revenue
$43,899
Total assets, end of year
$20,286,909
Total liabilities, end of year
$4,779,751
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$15,507,158
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$24,473,918
Management and general expenses
$0
Fundraising expenses
$1,083,023
Program service expenses (Part III)
$24,473,918

Program services were 95.8% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $35,004,347

  • 2a · Program service revenue: Field of Vision

    total $2,155,215 · related or exempt $2,155,215

  • 2b · Program service revenue: The Intercept

    total $51,298 · related or exempt $51,298

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $69,007 · excluded $69,007

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $2,257,497

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $2,882,242

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$624,745

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$624,745 · excluded -$624,745

  • 11a · Other revenue: Advertising

    total $40,202 · unrelated business $40,202

  • 11b · Other revenue: Merchandise

    total $3,697 · unrelated business $3,697

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $43,899

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $108,000 · program services $108,000

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $1,000 · program services $1,000

  • 3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals

    total $322,500 · program services $322,500

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,514,479 · program services $1,514,479

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $13,925,646 · program services $12,902,623 · fundraising $1,023,023

  • 11a · Fees: management

    total $1,632,514 · program services $1,632,514

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $753,046 · program services $753,046

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $60,000 · fundraising $60,000

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $66,761 · program services $66,761

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $1,129,314 · program services $1,129,314

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $2,462,515 · program services $2,462,515

  • 17 · Travel

    total $141,700 · program services $141,700

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $112,411 · program services $112,411

  • 24a · Other expenses: Non Capitalized COGS

    total $1,337,522 · program services $1,337,522

  • 24b · Other expenses: Amortization

    total $1,273,504 · program services $1,273,504

  • 24c · Other expenses: Content Impairment

    total $520,686 · program services $520,686

  • 24d · Other expenses: Research Services

    total $195,343 · program services $195,343

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $5,673,065 · end of year $18,218,805

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $1,034,563 · end of year $1,100,903

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $376,206 · end of year $260,662

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $861,640

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $531,458

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $205,740 · end of year $330,182

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $1,633,689 · end of year $376,357

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $2,325,909 · end of year $1,985,056

  • 22 · Loans and payables to officers and key people

    beginning of year $2,232,276 · end of year $2,529,471

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $265,224

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $4,365,078 · end of year $15,507,158

Mission and programs · 2022

Mission

First Look Institute is a nonprofit organization committed to fearless reporting, bold filmmaking, and defending those who speak truth to power. By empowering journalists to unearth injustices, unbeholden to outside influence, by investing in a generation of trailblazing filmmakers, and by protecting risk-taking reporters and whistleblowers from retribution, First Look Institute vigilantly defends our First Amendment rights so democracy can flourish.

Activities or mission (Part I)

See Schedule O.

  • Intercept is an independent news organization delivering unflinching investigative journalism that unearths injustices and holds the powerful accountable. Beholden only to the public, never to corporate influence, The Intercept is committed to defending its First Amendment right to report information that the public deserves to know. Its in-depth investigations focus on politics, war, surveillance, corruption, criminal justice, the environment, immigration, the media, technology and more. Intercept Brasil is Intercept's news agency based in Rio de Janeiro that produces investigative articles focused on Brazil for an international audience. Intercept gives its journalists in the US and Brazil the editorial freedom and legal support they need to expose corruption and injustice where they find it.

    Expenses $17,855,198 · Revenue $51,298

  • Prioritizing artistic approach, creative innovation, and integrated mentorship, Field of Vision commissions and produces nonfiction films that empower filmmakers to tell the vital stories of our world. By exploring contemporary global issues through a cinematic lens, creators are able to push boundaries, perspectives, and narratives in storytelling. With comprehensive multidisciplinary support for filmmakers, journalists, and artists, Field of Vision advocates for greater equity, inclusion, and sustainability, with an unwavering commitment to supporting filmmakers and their development.FOV's work includes individual short and feature-length films, episodic series, thematic approaches to a single topic by multiple filmmakers, deep-dive investigations pairing filmmakers with journalists, rapid-response assignments, and collaborations with artists across mediums. FOV's commitment to short-form documentary films allows filmmakers to respond quickly, take creative risks, explore new ways of storytelling, and make new films with a faster production cycle. FOVs films are distributed through a variety of outlets, including news organizations, film festivals, online platforms, broadcast, streaming and cable. Through fellowships and production support and agreements, FOV provides filmmakers the necessary support and resources to create their films.

    Expenses $5,311,089 · Grants $15,500 · Revenue $2,155,215

  • The Press Freedom Defense Fund gives direct financial support to news organizations, reporters, and whistleblowers to pay for legal expenses, along with providing technical assistance and professional guidance, so information that is critical to our democracy can be brought to light without fear of retribution. Through grants (often paid directly to expert legal counsel who agree to provide representation at reduced/capped fees) and educational outreach to support established and non-traditional journalists and news organizations, the Fund opposes official actions that restrict press freedoms and seek source information or journalistic materials. It is one of the few programs that supports whistleblowers and other journalistic sources.

    Expenses $1,307,631 · Grants $416,000

As filed on the 2022 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Jeffrey Alvord

    Director/Vice Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.01
  • Patricia L Christen

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.36
  • Michael Bloom

    Director/President/CEO

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    40
  • David Bralow

    Secretary/Sr. VP, Law

    Total calculated
    $335,747
    From this org
    $291,127
    From related orgs
    $12,130
    Other
    $32,490
    Hours/week
    38.6 + 1.6 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $291,127 + $12,130 related
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $31,190 + $1,300 related
    Filer's total
    $322,317 + $13,430 related
  • Shani Boone

    Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    40
  • Ian Stratford

    Secretary

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    40
  • Roger Hodge

    Deputy Editor

    Total calculated
    $282,622
    From this org
    $254,161
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $28,461
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $254,161
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $28,461
    Filer's total
    $282,622
  • Charlotte Cook

    Executive Producer

    Total calculated
    $197,421
    From this org
    $186,300
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,121
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $186,300
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,121
    Filer's total
    $197,421
  • Elizabeth Reed

    Editor in Chief

    Total calculated
    $205,446
    From this org
    $180,174
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $25,272
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $180,174
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,272
    Filer's total
    $205,446
  • Beth Nathanson

    Chief Philanthropy Officer

    Total calculated
    $314,068
    From this org
    $293,912
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $20,156
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $293,912
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $20,156
    Filer's total
    $314,068
  • Michael Sherrard

    Department Head

    Total calculated
    $179,175
    From this org
    $167,360
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,815
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $167,360
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,815
    Filer's total
    $179,175
  • James Risen

    Sr. National Security Corr

    Total calculated
    $333,526
    From this org
    $303,257
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,269
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $303,257
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $30,269
    Filer's total
    $333,526
  • Ryan Grim

    Washington Bureau Chief

    Total calculated
    $253,397
    From this org
    $221,063
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,334
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $221,063
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,334
    Filer's total
    $253,397
  • Peter Maass

    Senior Editor

    Total calculated
    $232,902
    From this org
    $216,619
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $16,283
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $216,619
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,283
    Filer's total
    $232,902
  • Jeremy Scahill

    Producer

    Total calculated
    $408,550
    From this org
    $369,213
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $39,337
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $369,213
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $39,337
    Filer's total
    $408,550
  • Vanessa M Gezari

    National Security Editor

    Total calculated
    $205,557
    From this org
    $196,712
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,845
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $196,712
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,845
    Filer's total
    $205,557

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

None.

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Disregarded entities

Part I: entities that legally are the filer and file no return of their own.

  • First Look Media Brasil Agencia de Noticias Eireli

    News reporting agency for internet distribution channels · BR · income -$14,499 · assets $0

    Directly controlled by First Look Institute Inc

Related corporations and trusts

Part IV: related organizations taxable as a corporation or trust.

  • First Look Entertainment Inc

    S · Digital Media Production · NY

  • First Look Services Inc

    S · Information Security · CA

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2022
Filed
15 November 2023
IRS schema version
2022v5.0
Source object
202430309349301913

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