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DOC SOCIETY INC
NEW YORK, NY · EIN 461094197 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE T30 · Philanthropy & Grantmaking · Medium ($1M-$10M)
revenue
$2.4M
expenses
$2.0M
net assets
$3.2M
employees
3
volunteers
10
program ratio
89%
mission · from form 990

DOC SOCIETY INC SUPPORTS DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKERS GLOBALLY BY PROVIDING PRODUCTION FINANCING, AS WELL AS CREATIVE, EDITORIAL, STRATEGIC, LEGAL, AND OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE. WE FOSTER COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN PUBLIC INTEREST FILMMAKERS AND CHARITIES, AND OTHER PARTNERS TO ENHANCE FINANCING, STRATEGIC SUPPORT, AND DISTRIBUTION OPPORTUNITIES FOR DOCUMENTARY PROJECTS THAT SERVE THE PUBLIC GOOD.

profile · synthesized from sources

DOC SOCIETY INC supports documentary filmmakers globally by providing production financing and strategic assistance. The organization funds projects that serve the public good, with a focus on climate justice, health, and social issues. It fosters collaborations between filmmakers and nonprofits to enhance distribution and impact.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2022

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $366K
    PASS-THROUGH FILM GRANTSWE PROVIDE PASS-THROUGH FUNDING FOR FILMS WHEN IT IS SURE THAT THE FILMS FOR WHICH IT IS PROVIDING THIS SERVICE HAVE A PURPOSE CONSISTENT WITH DOC SOCIETY'S OBJECTIVES AND ITS STATUS AS A 501(C)(3).
  2. #2 $100K
    FILM FUNDSCLIMATE CHANGE CONTINUES TO BE AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOCUS FOR DOC SOCIETY, INC. WE WANT TO SUPPORT DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKERS AND OTHER MEDIA MAKERS TO COMMUNICATE STORIES ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE IN WAYS THAT HAVE A TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT AT SCALE. SINCE LAUNCHING THE CLIMATE STORY FUND IN 2020, WE HAVE BEEN MAPPING HUNDREDS OF CREATIVE NON-FICTION CLIMATE STORIES. TO DATE, WE HAVE REGRANTED $3.3 MILLION TO 34 CLIMATE STORYTELLING PROJECTS OF WHICH 26 ARE NOW SCREENING TO AUDIENCES AND ROLLING OUT IMPACT CAMPAIGNS. WE LOOK FOR BOTH CREATIVE EXCELLENCE AND HIGH IMPACT POTENTIAL. STORIES THAT ELEVATE THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN IGNORED, MISREPRESENTED, AND MARGINALISED BY THE MEDIA. STORIES FOR ROMANTICS, COMEDIANS, AND THRILL SEEKERS ALIKE THAT DEMONSTRATE THE RICHNESS AND DIVERSITY POSSIBLE IN CLIMATE PROGRAMMING WHICH WILL BE NECESSARY TO ENGAGE PUBLICS OVER TIME.
named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Climate Story Fund
Supports production and impact campaigns for creative non-fiction climate storytelling projects, with a focus on marginalized voices and diverse narrative forms.
Climate Story Lab
Global initiative fostering regional collaborations to train and support climate-focused documentary storytellers, with editions held across multiple continents.
Good Pitch
Brings together documentary filmmakers with NGOs, foundations, and policymakers to collaborate on social and environmental issues through film.
activities · 3 groups

What they do

  • Emerging Filmmaker Support Programs 1 activity
    • Capacity building through Climate Story Lab
      Supported 13 editions of the Climate Story Lab globally by the end of 2022, including expansion into South Asia, to strengthen climate storytelling capacity among filmmakers and advocates.
  • Film Production Funding and Fiscal Sponsorship 1 activity
    • Funding documentary films aligned with public interest mission
      Provides pass-through funding for documentary films that align with its public interest mission, enabling grantees to produce and distribute socially impactful content.
  • Global Sustainability Convenings & Forums 1 activity
    • Organizing Good Pitch events for documentary impact
      Organizes Good Pitch events that connect documentary filmmakers with funders, NGOs, campaigners, and policymakers to foster partnerships and advance social and environmental impact initiatives.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.43M
Contributions & grants$2.27M93%
Program service revenue$155K6%
Investment income$3K0%
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$1.99M
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising2%
Salaries & benefits$457K
Grants paid out$1.14M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$3.54M
Cash$2.76M
Investments$0
Liabilities$302K
Net assets$3.23M
Liquid reserves16.7 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +3.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 3
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MAXYNE FRANKLIN SECY/TREASURER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 35 $162K
MEGHA AGRAWAL SOOD BOARD MEMBER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 35 $148K
EDITH FINZI VICE PRESIDENT 5 $109K
board members · 10
  • ANURIMA BHARGAVA — BOARD CHAIR
  • HEATHER GRADY — BOARD MEMBER
  • J BOB ALOTTA — BOARD MEMBER
  • JADE BEGAY — BOARD MEMBER
  • KATHARINE WILKINSON — BOARD MEMBER
  • KERI PUTNAM — BOARD MEMBER
  • SAHAR DRIVER — BOARD MEMBER
  • TWIGGY PUCCI GARCON — BOARD MEMBER
  • VINCENT WARREN — BOARD MEMBER
  • YVETTE ALBERDINGK THIJM — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 2

Who they work with

  • Goopy Bagha Productions Partner — Collaborated with DOC SOCIETY INC on Climate Story Lab South Asia in Bangladesh.
  • Indian Documentary Foundation Partner — Collaborated with DOC SOCIETY INC on Climate Story Lab South Asia.
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.

  • Equity-Centered Storytelling
    methodology: equity-centered_storytelling
    By prioritizing documentary stories that center marginalized communities and correct misrepresentation, we produce more accurate and inclusive narratives because equitable representation fosters trust, engagement, and systemic change.
  • Impact-Driven Storytelling
    methodology: impact-driven_storytelling
    By supporting media makers to produce climate stories designed for transformative public impact, we shift public understanding and drive large-scale change because narrative shapes cultural perception and motivates collective action.