First Look Institute Inc

EIN: 800951255 501(c)(3) Arts, Culture & Humanities

Los Gatos, CA

Total Revenue
$8,914,688
Total Expenses
$26,959,827
Total Assets
$9,754,402
Net Assets
$-2,372,500
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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
2013
Legal Domicile
DE
Principal Officer
Michael Bloom
Phone
9174776500
Tax Period
2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31

First Look Institute Inc, founded in 2013, is a community nonprofit in the Arts, Culture & Humanities sector that reported $8.9M in total revenue in fiscal year 2023. Revenue fell 76% from the prior year — a significant decline worth monitoring. Expenses of $27.0M exceeded revenue, resulting in a 202% operating deficit.

Mission

First Look Institute supports fearless investigative journalism, innovative and cinematic nonfiction filmmaking, and press freedom initiatives to protect the right to a free and open society and press.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $14,770,250 Revenue: $6,249,888

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...

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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 gives its journalists the editorial freedom and legal support they need to expose corruption and injustice where they find it.

Program 2
Expenses: $9,372,941 Revenue: $2,871,000

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...

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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.

Program 3
Expenses: $1,954,000 Revenue: $0

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...

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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.

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Trantor Score

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2023)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $9,120,888
Program Service Revenue $0
Investment Income $-206,241
Other Revenue $41
TOTAL REVENUE $8,914,688

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $26,097,191
Salaries & Benefits $439,493
Fundraising Expenses $0
Program Expenses $26,097,191
Other Expenses $423,143
TOTAL EXPENSES $26,959,827

Year-over-Year Comparison

2023 2022 Change
Revenue $8,914,688 $36,699,021 -0.8%
Expenses $26,959,827 $25,556,941 +0.1%
Net Income $-18,045,139 $11,142,080 -2.6%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
3
Independent Members
1
Employees
51
Volunteers
N/A

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
3
$0
Total Directors
3
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Jeffrey Alvord Director/Chair 0.44
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Patricia L Christen Director 2.31
Director
$0 $0 $0
Michael Bloom Director/President/CEO 40.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Ian Stratford Secretary 40.00
Officer
$0 $0 $0
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2024 No data No data No data No data
2023 $8,914,688 $26,959,827 $9,754,402 $-18,045,139
2022 $36,699,021 $25,556,941 $20,286,909 $11,142,080
2022 $36,699,021 $25,556,941 $20,286,909 $11,142,080
2021 $13,712,748 $28,256,941 $8,923,263 $-14,544,193
2020 $26,672,210 $29,277,834 $20,672,199 $-2,605,624
2019 $28,389,675 $28,228,468 $22,941,096 $161,207
2018 $32,671,835 $26,617,340 $23,079,212 $6,054,495
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