Skip to content

· Public charity

American Documentary Inc

A national non-profit media arts organization, american documentary strives to make essential documentaries accessible as a catalyst for public discourse.

$46k
Granted FY2024still arriving
6
Grants FY2024still arriving
6
States reached
$8k
Largest
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Arts & Culture$294kPublic Benefit$28kEducation$26kScience & Tech$14kCrime & Legal$10k
02FY2024 · 6 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

$7,500
Median grant
6
States reached
$2.5M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
The Howard University$8,000
PBS Utah$7,500
Praire Public Broadcasting$7,500
West Virginia PBF Inc$7,500
Georgia Public Tele Commmisio$7,500
Rocky Mountain Public Media$7,500
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Dollar for dollar, its grants (FY17–24) land where the poverty rate runs at 15%, against an area that typically sits at 12%. 72% of its dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 12%NET FOUNDATION: $8k → 13%Public Broadcasting Of NW PA: $10k → 15%WHYY: $15k → 22%The Film Collaborative Inc: $25k → 14%Maui County Community TV: $10k → 9%Hawaii Public Tel Foundation: $10k → 9%Storyville Center: $10k → 17%WSKG Public Tel Council: $10k → 20%Found Sound Nation: $9k → 20%Oklahoma State University: $8k → 19%South Carolina ETV: $8k → 15%WGCU Public Media: $10k → 11%DELTA COLLEGE PUBLIC BROADCASTING: $8k → 14%NINE NETWORK OF PUBLIC MEDIA: $14k → 21%FRIENDS OF WPT: $8k → 10%Greater Chattanooga Public TV: $10k → 12%University of Utah: $10k → 8%GA Public Telecom Commision: $10k → 13%Doc Savannah Inc: $6k → 16%Rocky Mountain Public Media: $8k → 12%Ohio University: $10k → 22%West Virginia PBF Inc: $8k → 18%Alaska Public Media Inc: $10k → 10%Urban Gateways: $13k → 14%Prairie Public Broadcasting: $10k → 12%WBRA: $10k → 20%From Prison Cells to PhD Inc: $10k → 19%KET Foundation: $10k → 15%New Filmmakers Los Angeles: $12k → 14%PBS Utah: $8k → 8%Georgia Public Tele Commmisio: $8k → 13%Praire Public Broadcasting: $8k → 12%NewFilmmakers Los Angeles: $12k → 14%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

AK
ND
IL
MI
NY
OH
PA
NJ
CA
UT
CO
NE
MO
KY
WV
VA
MD
TN
NC
SC
DC
HI
OK
GA
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

27%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$99k · 5 repeat orgs$272k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +20% since the first grant, against +18% for those funded once.

5 repeat relationships: 3 still active in FY2024, 2 since wound down; 3 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

5
24

Total granted

$99k
$249k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+20%
+18%

Still filing today

60%
71%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 49% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $23k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’20’21’22’23’24
Arts & CultureEducationCrime & LegalOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • NL
    NEWFILMMAKERS LOS ANGELES
    2× · 2020–2022 · $24k · revenue +269%
  • WHYY INC
    2× · 2017–2018 · $23k · revenue +20%
  • PP
    Prairie Public Broadcasting Inc
    2× · 2022–2024 · $18k · revenue +10%

Funded once

  • TF
    THE FILM COLLABORATIVE INCgraduated
    one grant, 2021 · $25k · revenue +117%
  • IG
    Individual grant recipient
    one grant, 2018 · $14k
  • SL
    ST LOUIS REGIONAL PUBLIC MEDIA INCgraduated
    one grant, 2018 · $14k · revenue +278%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Public Media Nj Inc

To bring quality public television programs and resources to communities throughout new jersey and its tri-state neighbors. its content, both on-air and online, aims to reflect the diverse

Arts & Culture
2
Nashville Public Radio

Nashville public radio's mission is to be the most trusted & independent nashville voice, connecting our communities through non-partisan journalism, compelling storytelling, civil conversation and music discovery.

Arts & Culture
3
Vermont Public Co

Vermont public informs, educates, and entertains through public service journalism and enlightening content rooted in vermont. our storytelling enriches lives and fosters community connection and understanding.

Arts & Culture
4
Public Broadcasting of Colorado Inc

To deliver meaningful news, music, and cultural experiences to everyone in colorado using the power of the human voice in all its forms

Arts & Culture
5
National Public Radio Inc

National public radio, inc. (npr) collaborates with member public radio stations to create a more informed public, one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding of events, ideas, and cultures. npr advances this mission by…

Arts & Culture
6
Fort Wayne Public Television Inc

Pbs fort wayne engages our community through content and collaborations that educate, inform, inspire, and entertain.

Arts & Culture
7
East Tennessee Public Communications Corporation

Operation of public tv station.

Arts & Culture
8
Connecticut Public Broadcasting Inc

Connecticut public broadcasting, inc. will inform, educate and inspire the people of connecticut, connecting and empowering the people of ct through outstanding journalism, storytelling, education and experiences, to make our state a more…

Arts & Culture
9
Public Media Group of Southern California

We use the power of media for public good. we strengthen the civic fabric of southern california, share our distinctive perspective with the rest of the nation, and provide our community with an essential connection to a wider world. we…

Arts & Culture
10
Prx Inc

To lead changes that expand public media as a trusted source of knowledge, information, and inspiration for all.

Arts & Culture
11
Public Radio Program Directors Association Inc

Prpd (dba, public media content collective (pmcc)) is a membership organization that empowers public media content leaders, managers, and professionals to understand, serve, and grow their audiences within an increasingly complex and…

—
12
Wnet

Wnet is a multi-media public service non-profit that delivers lifelong learning and meaningful experiences to our communities. our content inspires curiosity, encourages action and nurtures dreams.

Arts & Culture
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Alaska Public Media Inc; the most unlike its peers is Bang On a Can. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

24 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 24 of the 32 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
4
Early backer (in before they grew)
23/24
Grantees still filing
16/24
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

THE FILM COLLABORATIVE INC: $25,000 · Arts & CultureTHE FILM COLLABORATIVE INCNEWFILMMAKERS LOS ANGELES: $24,000 · Arts & CultureNEWFILMMAKERS LOS ANGELESWHYY INC: $22,856 · Arts & CultureWHYY INCPrairie Public Broadcasting Inc: $17,500 · Arts & CulturePrairie Public Broadcasting IncST LOUIS REGIONAL PUBLIC MEDIA INC: $14,000 · Arts & CultureST LOUIS REGIONAL PUBLIC MEDIA INCURBAN GATEWAYS: $12,500 · Arts & CulturePUBLIC BROADCASTING OF NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA INC: $10,000 · Arts & CultureALASKA PUBLIC MEDIA INC: $10,000 · Arts & CultureHAWAII PUBLIC TELEVISION FOUNDATION DBA PBS HAWAII: $10,000 · Arts & CultureTHE GREATER CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC TELEVISION CORPORATION: $10,000 · Arts & CultureSOUTHERN DOCUMENTARY FUND: $10,000 · Arts & CultureKENTUCKY EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION FOUNDATION INC: $10,000 · Arts & CultureWSKG PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL: $10,000 · Arts & CultureMAUI COUNTY COMMUNITY TELEVISION INC: $10,000 · Arts & CultureSTORYVILLE CENTER FOR THE SPOKEN WORD INC: $10,000 · Arts & CultureBLUE RIDGE PUBLIC TELEVISION INC: $10,000 · Arts & CultureBANG ON A CAN: $9,000 · Arts & Culture+3 more: $22,500 · Arts & Culture+3 moreUNIVERSITY OF UTAH: $17,500 · OtherUNIVERSITY OF UTAHGA Public Telecom Commision: $17,500 · OtherGA Public Telecom CommisionIndividual grant recipient: $14,096 · OtherIndividual grant recipientOhio University: $10,000 · OtherOhio UniversityDelta College: $8,000 · OtherDelta CollegeNET FOUNDATION FOR RADIO: $8,000 · OtherNET FOUNDATION FOR RADIOOKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY: $7,500 · OtherOKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITYWTJX: $7,500 · OtherWTJXDOC SAVANNAH INC: $6,000 · OtherDOC SAVANNAH INCFLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC: $10,000 · EducationTHE HOWARD UNIVERSITY: $8,000 · EducationFROM PRISON CELLS TO PHD INC: $10,000 · Crime & Legal
Arts & Culture$247,356Other$96,096Education$18,000Crime & Legal$10,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetTHE FILM COLLABORATIVE INC: $25,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetNEWFILMMAKERS LOS ANGELES: $24,000 over 2y, 3.3% of budgetWHYY INC: $22,856 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetPrairie Public Broadcasting Inc: $17,500 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetURBAN GATEWAYS: $12,500 over 1y, 0.7% of budgetPUBLIC BROADCASTING OF NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetALASKA PUBLIC MEDIA INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetHAWAII PUBLIC TELEVISION FOUNDATION DBA PBS HAWAII: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE GREATER CHATTANOOGA PUBLIC TELEVISION CORPORATION: $10,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetSOUTHERN DOCUMENTARY FUND: $10,000 over 1y, 2.0% of budgetKENTUCKY EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION FOUNDATION INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetWSKG PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL: $10,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetMAUI COUNTY COMMUNITY TELEVISION INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetFROM PRISON CELLS TO PHD INC: $10,000 over 1y, 2.3% of budgetSTORYVILLE CENTER FOR THE SPOKEN WORD INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetFLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBLUE RIDGE PUBLIC TELEVISION INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetBANG ON A CAN: $9,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetTHE HOWARD UNIVERSITY: $8,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNET FOUNDATION FOR RADIO: $8,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLIC MEDIA INC: $7,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetETV Endowment of South Carolina Inc: $7,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetWEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING FOUNDA: $7,500 over 1y, 0.5% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Corporation for Public BroadcastingDC25.8× affinity10 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Corporation for Public Broadcasting · Public Broadcasting Service · Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Association Inc · Ibm International Foundation · Ge Aerospace Foundation · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · American Endowment Foundation · The Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc · Donor Advised Charitable Giving Inc · National Philanthropic Trust · Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization American Documentary Inc funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from American Documentary Inc. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    1get no government money at all
    10report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 32 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990 e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on American Documentary’s filings →

    More from the funding graph