Totals
- Total revenue
- $9,876,301
- Total expenses
- $11,715,776
- Contributions and grants received
- $9,153,992
- Grants paid
- $9,516,941
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $698,202
- Other revenue
- $24,107
- Total assets, end of year
- $20,131,014
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $12,639
- Net assets or fund balances, end of year
- $20,118,375
- Program services expenses (Part IX)
- $10,514,040
- Management and general expenses
- $820,347
- Fundraising expenses
- $381,389
- Program service expenses (Part III)
- $10,514,040
Program services were 89.7% 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
$9,153,992
-
3 · Investment income
total $478,607 · excluded $478,607
-
7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory
securities $16,035,724
-
7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses
securities $15,816,129
-
7c · Gain or loss
securities $219,595
-
7d · Net gain or loss
total $219,595 · related or exempt $219,595
-
11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS
total $24,107 · excluded $24,107
-
11e · Other revenue, total
$24,107
Functional expenses
Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.
-
1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments
total $9,136,941 · program services $9,136,941
-
2 · Grants to domestic individuals
total $380,000 · program services $380,000
-
5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
total $507,070 · program services $122,804 · management and general $218,315 · fundraising $165,951
-
7 · Other salaries and wages
total $520,053 · program services $189,207 · management and general $215,804 · fundraising $115,042
-
8 · Pension plan contributions
total $44,572 · program services $10,671 · management and general $27,905 · fundraising $5,996
-
9 · Other employee benefits
total $65,906 · program services $24,311 · management and general $20,165 · fundraising $21,430
-
10 · Payroll taxes
total $62,476 · program services $17,410 · management and general $28,178 · fundraising $16,888
-
11b · Fees: legal
total $18,110 · management and general $18,110
-
11c · Fees: accounting
total $38,664 · management and general $38,664
-
11f · Fees: investment management
total $20,041 · management and general $20,041
-
11g · Fees: other
total $336,620 · program services $299,947 · management and general $36,673
-
12 · Advertising and promotion
total $71,415 · program services $60,287 · management and general $11,128
-
13 · Office expenses
total $8,081 · management and general $8,081
-
14 · Information technology
total $44,828 · program services $28,508 · management and general $16,320
-
16 · Occupancy
total $3,581 · management and general $3,581
-
17 · Travel
total $179,395 · program services $32,263 · management and general $105,886 · fundraising $41,246
-
22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization
total $5,101 · management and general $5,101
-
23 · Insurance
total $4,607 · management and general $4,607
-
24a · Other expenses: PRIZE PRESENTATION & EV
total $146,969 · program services $146,812 · management and general $157
-
24b · Other expenses: PANEL REVIEW
total $61,935 · program services $61,935
-
24c · Other expenses: OTHER EXPENSES
total $38,243 · program services $2,455 · management and general $35,196 · fundraising $592
-
24d · Other expenses: STATE REGISTRATION
total $11,844 · fundraising $11,844
-
24e · All other expenses
total $9,324 · program services $489 · management and general $6,435 · fundraising $2,400
Balance sheet
Part X, book values.
-
1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing
beginning of year $677,735 · end of year $620,215
-
2 · Savings and temporary cash investments
beginning of year $9,710,286 · end of year $9,406,516
-
3 · Pledges and grants receivable
beginning of year $8,789,800 · end of year $4,816,488
-
9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges
beginning of year $13,646 · end of year $20,581
-
10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis
$196,247
-
10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation
$183,661
-
10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net
beginning of year $4,490 · end of year $12,586
-
11 · Investments: publicly traded securities
beginning of year $3,744,316 · end of year $5,254,628
-
17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses
beginning of year $3,104 · end of year $10,670
-
18 · Grants payable
end of year $1,969
-
27 · Net assets without donor restrictions
beginning of year $10,365,243 · end of year $11,393,485
-
28 · Net assets with donor restrictions
beginning of year $12,571,926 · end of year $8,724,890
Mission and programs · 2025
Mission
THE BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY SUPPORTS OUTSTANDING AMERICAN HISTORY DOCUMENTARIES TO INSPIRE LIFELONG LEARNING, PROMOTE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND ENCOURAGE CIVIL DISCOURSE.THE ORGANIZATION ADVANCES THIS MISSION BY RAISING FUNDS TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL DOCUMENTARY FILMS FOCUSED ON U.S. HISTORY AND CHARACTERIZED BY THOROUGH ARCHIVAL RESEARCH AND ENGAGING STORYTELLING; AWARDING THE ANNUAL LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LAVINE/KEN BURNS PRIZE FOR FILM AND BETTER ANGELS LAVINE FELLOWSHIP TO PROVIDE RESOURCES, RECOGNITION, AND MENTORSHIP TO OUTSTANDING U.S. HISTORY DOCUMENTARIES; AND CREATING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS TO ENGAGE YOUNG PEOPLE IN MAKING DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT U.S. HISTORY TO BUILD SKILLS IN CRITICAL THINKING, COMMUNICATIONS, RESEARCH, HISTORY, AND CIVICS.
Activities or mission (Part I)
ENSURE HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY FILMS ARE FUNDED/SHARED THRU EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH & CIVIC DISCOURSE.
-
THE BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY PROVIDED $9,066,941 IN FUNDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION, AND ASSOCIATED EDUCATIONAL AND ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS FOR DOCUMENTARY FILMS THAT FOCUSED ON U.S. HISTORY, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE BROADCAST FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND WIDELY AVAILABLE TO MILLIONS OF AMERICANS. IN 2025, THESE FILMS INCLUDED THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, CENTRAL PARK, CRIME & PUNISHMENT IN AMERICA, EMANCIPATION TO EXODUS, HENRY DAVID THOREAU, INSIDE THE OVAL: DECISIONS OF CONSEQUENCE, LBJ & THE GREAT SOCIETY, AND W.E.B. DU BOIS. THROUGH THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LAVINE/KEN BURNS PRIZE FOR FILM, THE SOCIETY PROVIDED SUPPORT AND NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR OUTSTANDING AMERICAN HISTORY DOCUMENTARIES, SELECTED BY PEER REVIEWERS AND JURIES WITH EXPERTISE IN FILMMAKING, ARCHIVAL RESOURCES, AND U.S. HISTORY.
Expenses $9,501,700 · Grants $9,066,941
-
IN 2025, THE BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY PROVIDED $450,000 TO SUPPORT TRAINING, NETWORKING, AND MENTORSHIP TO ENSURE THAT THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED AND ENGAGING DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT AMERICAN HISTORY CONTINUE TO BE CREATED. THE SOCIETY LED THE FIFTH YEAR OF THE BETTER ANGELS LAVINE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM, A MENTORING PROGRAM FOR DOCUMENTARIES-IN-PROCESS, SELECTED FROM APPLICANTS FOR THE PRIZE FOR FILM. THE SOCIETY ALSO SUPPORTED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT BUILD JUNIOR HIGH, HIGH SCHOOL, AND COLLEGE-AGE STUDENTS' SKILLS IN CRITICAL THINKING, HISTORY, CIVICS, RESEARCH, AND COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE PROCESS OF MAKING DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. THESE PROGRAMS, IN COLLABORATION WITH NATIONAL HISTORY DAY AND THE LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION, PROVIDED FREE TRAINING SESSIONS, MENTORSHIP FROM EXPERTS IN HISTORICAL RESEARCH AND FILMMAKING, AND PUBLIC RECOGNITION TO PROMOTE OUTSTANDING AMERICAN HISTORY DOCUMENTARIES AND INSPIRE PARTICIPATION IN THIS DISCIPLINE. THE SOCIETY ALSO PROVIDED SUPPORT TO FILM FESTIVALS TO HIGHLIGHT OUTSTANDING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARIES, ENCOURAGE CIVIL DISCOURSE RELATED TO THEM, AND ENCOURAGE BEST PRACTICES IN THEIR CREATION.
Expenses $1,012,340 · Grants $450,000
As filed on the 2025 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.
Listed in Part VII
-
Bobby SteinBOBBY STEIN
CHAIR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 4
-
Phil KentPHIL KENT
VICE CHAIR
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 4
-
Meredith DewittMEREDITH DEWITT
SECRETARY
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 4
-
Greg LauGREG LAU
TREASURER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 4
-
Hal BrierleyHAL BRIERLEY
MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Patrick ButlerPATRICK BUTLER
MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Nancy J CableNANCY J CABLE
MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Joseph EvangelistiJOSEPH EVANGELISTI
MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Greg GolkinGREG GOLKIN
MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Cappy McGarrCAPPY MCGARR
MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Michael MullenMICHAEL MULLEN
MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Eric ObengERIC OBENG
MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Laura RooseveltLAURA ROOSEVELT
MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Jason SchlesingerJASON SCHLESINGER
MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Peter ThorenPETER THOREN
MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Brian ConwayBRIAN CONWAY
MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Tracy FristTRACY FRIST
MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Larry WassermanLARRY WASSERMAN
MEMBER
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 2
-
Katherine Malone-FranceKATHERINE MALONE-FRANCE
PRESIDENT AND CEO
- Total calculated
- $331,900
- From this org
- $288,750
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $43,150
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $228,750
- Bonus
- $60,000
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $28,875
- Nontaxable benefits
- $14,275
- Filer's total
- $331,900
-
Bee NanceBEE NANCE
CFAO
- Total calculated
- $175,170
- From this org
- $141,581
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $33,589
- Hours/week
- 30
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $141,581
- Bonus
- $0
- Other
- $0
- Deferred
- $10,938
- Nontaxable benefits
- $22,651
- Filer's total
- $175,170
-
Rebecca DanielsREBECCA DANIELS
SR DIR, PHILANTHROPIC OPS & PLAN
- Total calculated
- $140,928
- From this org
- $120,000
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $20,928
- Hours/week
- 40
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
- 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
- 3 · Compensation survey or study
- 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
- 7 · Other non-fixed payments
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
- 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception
The filer's explanations (Part III)
- PART I, LINE 7
- THE PRESIDENT AND CEO RECEIVED NON-FIXED, DISCRETIONARY BONUSES AND FIXED PERFORMANCE BONUS DURING 2025.
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
-
SUPPORT FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS, OUTREACH, EDUCATION
-
LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION
$188,000
RECOGNITION AWARDS FOR STUDENT DOCUMENTARY FILMS
-
$139,500
SUPPORT FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS, OUTREACH, EDUCATION
-
$65,100
SUPPORT FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS, OUTREACH, EDUCATION
-
$40,000
RECOGNITION AWARDS FOR STUDENT DOCUMENTARY FILMS
-
CENTRAL PARK FILM PROJECT INC
$32,500
SUPPORT FOR PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS, OUTREACH, EDUCATION, FISCAL SPONSORS
-
ADAMS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$15,000
GETTYSBURG FILM FESTIVAL SPONSORS
-
$10,000
DC/DOX FESTIVAL SPONSORS
-
HINDSIGHT FILM FESTIVAL
$9,398
HINDSIGHT FILM FESTIVAL FISCAL SPONSORS
Provenance
- Return type
- form_990
- Tax year
- 2025
- Filed
- 9 April 2026
- IRS schema version
- 2025v4.1
- Source object
- 202641019349301004
Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.
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