named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Foam, Felt & Frogs
Ongoing film series running from December 2025 to December 2026 exploring themes of creativity and childhood through cinema
LGBTQ+ Pride
Annual June–July film series celebrating LGBTQ+ stories and filmmakers
Open Caption Screenings
Weekly accessible film screenings with open captions offered on Thursday evenings and first Sunday showings
Science on Screen
February–May 2026 series pairing films with scientific themes and expert discussions
Sensory-Friendly Screenings
Adapted screenings with dimmed lights and reduced sound for patrons with sensory needs
The Wachowskis: Masters of Maximalism
July–August 2026 retrospective showcasing the works of The Wachowskis
Winter Wednesdays
Seasonal film series running December through March featuring curated winter-themed and classic films
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 2 activities
- Hosting curated film series and special eventsOrganizes ongoing and seasonal film series such as "Winter Wednesdays," "Science on Screen," "Foam, Felt & Frogs," LGBTQ+ Pride film series, holiday-themed "Have Yourself A Merry Little," and director-focused programs like "Masters of Maximalism" on The Wachowskis. Hosts special events including opening nights with live musical accompaniment and participation in National Art House Theatre Day.
- Presenting independent, international, and classic filmsOperates a five-screen venue that presents American independent, international, and classic films year-round to the greater Rochester community. Offers a rotating calendar of film showtimes with general admission seating and online ticket sales available up to 30 minutes before screenings.
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Accessibility Services for Cultural Programs 1 activity
- Delivering accessible cinema experiencesEnsures inclusive access through hearing amplification headphones, Hearing Loop Systems in all theaters, open caption screenings twice weekly, personal captioning devices, sensory bags, weighted lap pads, and sensory-friendly screenings with adjusted sound and lighting. Operates as an Aira Access Partner, providing free on-demand access to sign language and visual interpreters via mobile apps.
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Community Foundation & United Way Support 1 activity
- Funding charitable arts and community initiativesSupports charitable fundraisers for arts, cultural, community, and educational nonprofit organizations in the Greater Rochester area by providing donations.
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Nonprofit-Operated Cafés and Social Enterprises 1 activity
- Operating a café with food, beverage, and live music programmingRuns a 50-seat café offering breakfast, lunch, desserts (cakes, pies, pastries), coffee, tea, specialty espresso drinks, local beer, and wine. Hosts live music performances regularly from 7pm to 9pm, typically without a cover charge, and features rotating visual art exhibits by local artists.
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Event Venue Rental Services 1 activity
- Providing theater and event space rentalsOffers rental of theater spaces for a variety of private and public events including seminars, school group screenings, weddings, film festivals, birthday parties, and corporate meetings. Accommodates groups ranging from 2 to 270 attendees across a two-building facility.
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Community-Engaged Public Art Projects 1 activity
- Supporting local artists through educational and exhibition opportunitiesProvides local artists with a platform to share and discuss their work through educational events, rotating visual art exhibits in the café, and inclusion in curated film and music programming.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.71M
Contributions & grants$1.36M50%
Program service revenue$1.35M50%
Investment income$4K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$2.66M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$1.12M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$5.15M
Cash$199K
Investments$187K
Liabilities$722K
Net assets$4.43M
Liquid reserves1.7 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +25.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 4
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORM SILVERSTEIN | PRESIDENT AND CEO (THRU 11/24) | 5 | $404K |
| SUSAN ROGERS | EXECUTIVE VP & GENERAL MAN | 5 | $218K |
| LANCELOT THOMAS | CFO | 5 | $140K |
| CHRIS HASTINGS | PRESIDENT AND CEO (STARTING 11/24) | 5 | $48K |
board members · 20
- AJAMU KITWANA — TREASURER
- ANDREW GERMANOW — TRUSTEE
- DAAN BRAVEMAN — TRUSTEE
- DAVID STILL — TRUSTEE
- DAVID TANG — CHAIR
- JOHN RICHARDSON — TRUSTEE
- JOY RYEN PLOTNIK — VICE CHAIR
- JULIO SAENZ — TRUSTEE
- KAY BENJAMIN — TRUSTEE
- KRISTIN DURAN — TRUSTEE
- KRISTIN HOCKER — TRUSTEE
- LAURIE HAELEN — TRUSTEE
- NICOLE VANGORDER — SECRETARY
- PATRICIA PHILIPS — TRUSTEE
- ROBERT ATTARDO — TRUSTEE
- SANDEEP MANNAVA — TRUSTEE
- SHAWN NELMS — TRUSTEE
- SONYA ALLEN — TRUSTEE
- STEVE SULKES — TRUSTEE
- YOLANDA BENITEZ — TRUSTEE
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- Aira Partner — The Little is an Aira Access Partner, enabling free access to on-demand sign language and visual interpreting services for visitors.
- Hart Hearing Centers Partner — Partner organization that supported the installation of Hearing Loop Systems in all five theaters.
- IMDb Partner — Directs patrons to IMDb for detailed parental guidance on film content.
- KultureCity Network — The Little is a certified member of KultureCity’s sensory-inclusive venue network.
- Monroe County Government — Provides arts grant funding through the Office of the County Executive
- National Art House Theatre Day Partner — Collaborates on special programming to celebrate art-house theatres.
- New York State Council on the Arts Funder — Primary grant funder supporting operations
- Science on Screen Partner — Collaborates on the "Science on Screen" film series integrating science and cinema.
- WXXI Public Broadcasting Government — Parent-subsidiary relationship established in January 2012 to support sustainability and continued operation in the community.
- WXXI Public Broadcasting Partner — Entered into a parent-subsidiary relationship in January 2012 to ensure long-term sustainability and stability.
- WXXI Public Broadcasting Partner — Formal, long-term affiliation to enhance cultural life and strengthen both institutions through shared resources and expertise.
- business partners Partner — Businesses that provide financial support through advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
strategies · 2
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Cultural Programming as Community Engagementmethodology: cultural_programmingBy curating film, music, and visual art programming around artistic, cultural, and identity-based themes, the organization fosters community engagement and stimulates intellectual and emotional connection, because shared cultural experiences build collective meaning and sustain public investment in cinema as an art form.
- Sensory-Inclusive and Accessible Screening Environmentmethodology: sensory_inclusionBy certifying as a sensory-inclusive venue and scheduling regular open caption screenings, the organization increases access for neurodiverse and deaf/hard-of-hearing audiences, because environmental accommodations and predictable accessibility features enable broader participation and deepen community inclusion.