irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.51MEDUCATION PROGRAMSTHE FILM CENTER PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO DISCOVER, EXPLORE, AND LEARN THROUGH THE POWER OF FILM, MEDIA AND 21ST CENTURY TECHNOLOGY.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Classroom to Screening Room
Brings students to the JBFC for film screenings and discussions that enrich studies in literature, social studies, science, world languages, and the arts
Image, Sound, and Story
Professional development curriculum that prepares teachers to integrate media viewing and creation into literacy instruction and classroom culture
Lab Camps
Immersive film and media-making experiences for children of all ages, held in the Media Arts Lab with editing suites, soundstage, and animation studio
Take 3 Wine Bar & Café
On-site café open to the public offering food and drinks, serving as a community gathering space adjacent to the theater
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 2 activities
- Deliver media education programs for students and educatorsProvides media education programs annually to over 5,000 students from more than 60 schools and community organizations, including interdisciplinary curricula, youth media-making camps, and teacher training, with free access for over 70% of participants from underserved communities.
- Offer internships for media and film education trainingRuns an internship program to train individuals in media and film education, though not currently accepting applicants.
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Community Event Fundraising 1 activity
- Fund nonprofit fundraising events through membership donationsFunds participation in local nonprofit fundraising events by donating dual memberships valued at $155 to support community organizations.
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Post-Performance Audience Engagement 1 activity
- Host special events with filmmaker and community engagementHosts over 100 special events annually featuring post-screening conversations with filmmakers, actors, authors, and community voices, including events like Next Gen Kickback and sing-along screenings.
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 1 activity
- Operate art house film theater and screening programsOperates a five-screen art house theater in Pleasantville, NY, screening over 400 independent, foreign, and documentary films annually for nearly 200,000 attendees, using state-of-the-art technology and accessible via public transit, car, and bus.
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Nonprofit-Operated Cafés and Social Enterprises 1 activity
- Operate wine bar, café, and concession servicesOperates a wine bar and café with weekly hours, offering food and drinks alongside art exhibits, using fully compostable supplies and designated composting bins at both the concession stand and Media Arts Lab.
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Accessibility Services for Cultural Programs 1 activity
- Provide accessible film experiences for patrons with disabilitiesEnsures accessibility through ADA-compliant design, including hearing loop systems in all theaters, closed captioning glasses, open captioned screenings, accessible seating, and T-coil compatible audio systems for patrons with hearing or vision loss.
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Equitable Access Admission Programs 1 activity
- Provide discounted and refund policies for group and EBT cardholder accessOffers discounted group tickets at member rates for parties of 10 or more with advance purchase, discounted tickets for EBT cardholders (up to two per card), and full refunds for canceled screenings either in person or automatically for online purchases.
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 1 activity
- Support visiting artists through residency programsHosts a residency program for visiting filmmakers, supporting creative development such as the documentary Sense and Sensitivity, and has welcomed dozens of artists from over 20 countries since 2009.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Host exhibitions celebrating filmmakers and film cultureHosts exhibitions such as a display of 20 movie posters from Ron Howard’s career, celebrating his contributions to filmmaking and his role as a board member of the Jacob Burns Film Center.
- Offer member benefits and community partnershipsProvides Jacob Burns Film Center members with discounts and special offers at local businesses including restaurants, cafes, breweries, and cheese shops in Pleasantville, such as 10–15% off meals and free desserts with qualifying purchases.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$8.22M
Contributions & grants$4.21M51%
Program service revenue$2.08M25%
Investment income$1.55M19%
Other revenue$376K
expenses
Total expenses$8.25M
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising11%
Salaries & benefits$4.15M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$55.47M
Cash$773K
Investments$33.74M
Liabilities$5.51M
Net assets$49.96M
Liquid reserves50.2 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +28.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 7
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARY JO ZIESEL | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 38 | $277K |
| PATRICK SAXTON | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 38 | $199K |
| RYAN HARRINGTON | DIRECTOR OF FILM PROGRAMS | 38 | $164K |
| JUDY EXTON | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | 38 | $161K |
| DENISE TRECO | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING | 38 | $154K |
| SUSAN KINEKE | CREATIVE DIRECTOR | 38 | $117K |
| ALEX GORSKI | DIRECTOR OF WEBSITE & DIGITAL SVCS. | 38 | $103K |
board members · 18
- ALAN KINGSBERG — BOARD MEMBER
- ALLISON BONNER SHILLINGFORD — BOARD MEMBER
- ANN HICKS — BOARD CHAIR
- BLAKELY BRODBECK — BOARD MEMBER
- CAROLINE BRECKER — BOARD MEMBER
- CHRIS DANZIG TO FEB 2024 — BOARD MEMBER
- CRAIG SAFIAN — BOARD MEMBER
- DORI BERINSTEIN — BOARD MEMBER
- DORIAN GOLDMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- ELIZABETH FRANKEL — SECRETARY
- FRANK WILLIAMS TO SEP 2024 — BOARD MEMBER
- HEIDI RIEGER — BOARD MEMBER
- J BIRD LATHON TO APR 2024 — BOARD MEMBER
- JANET MASLIN — PRESIDENT
- JOHN NONNA — BOARD MEMBER
- JOSEPH CARLUCCI — BOARD MEMBER
- JOSEPH ROSENBLUM — BOARD MEMBER
- JOSEPH SLAUGHTER — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 34
Who they work with
- Art House New York Cinema Week Partner — Participated in the inaugural Art House Cinema Week from March 20–26, 2026, celebrating independent and art house film culture.
- Balthazar Partner — Supplies baked goods and other menu items from the New York City restaurant for Take 3.
- Barry Jenkins Partner — Filmmaker who has shared work with the JBFC community.
- Bong Joon-ho Partner — Filmmaker who participated in the Residence for Visiting Artists program.
- Captain Lawrence Brewing Company Partner — Supplies craft beer for Take 3.
- E-Verify Government — Participates in the E-Verify Program to confirm employment eligibility.
- Executive Offices membership department Partner — Handles advance group ticket sales and provides membership-related services.
- Falafel Taco Partner — Partner restaurant offering a 15% discount to JBFC members.
- Fatt Root Partner — Partner restaurant offering a 10% discount to JBFC members.
- Feel Good Booch Partner — Provides kombucha and other non-alcoholic drinks for Take 3.
- Greta Gerwig Partner — Filmmaker who has shared work with the JBFC community.
- Irving Farm Partner — Provides coffee beans for brewed beverages at Take 3.
- Jafar Panahi Partner — Filmmaker who has shared work with the JBFC community.
- Kelly Reichardt Partner — Filmmaker who has shared work with the JBFC community.
- Kimberly House Partner — Local gift store partner offering artisan home decor and baby wear near the film center.
- Le Jardin du Roi Partner — Partner restaurant offering a free dessert with a check over $75 to JBFC members.
- Martin Scorsese Partner — Filmmaker who has shared work with the JBFC community.
- Metro-North Railroad Partner — Coordinates with Metro-North’s Harlem Line for visitor access to the Jacob Burns Film Center via the Pleasantville train station.
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Partner — Partnered to create the Jacob Burns Film Center Curated DVD Collection in 2009.
- Pleasantville Recycles Partner — Partner organization in the Environmental Sustainability Initiative, promoting community recycling efforts.
- Posh Pretzels Partner — Supplies pretzels for the Take 3 menu.
- Ron Howard Partner — Longstanding board member and subject of a featured exhibition at the Jacob Burns Film Center.
- Root2Rise NY Partner — Partner restaurant offering a 10% discount to JBFC members.
- Second Mouse Cheese Shop Partner — Partner shop offering a 10% discount on prepared foods, wine, beer, and cider to JBFC members.
- Second Mouse Cheese Shop Partner — Supplies cheese and charcuterie for the Take 3 menu.
- Soul Brewery Company Partner — Partner microbrewery offering a 10% discount to JBFC members.
- Soul Brewing Company Partner — Supplies craft beer for Take 3.
- Steven Spielberg Partner — Filmmaker who has shared work with the JBFC community.
- Sustainable Westchester Partner — Partner organization collaborating on sustainability efforts in the Westchester region.
- Take 3 Partner — Co-hosts events such as the Next Gen Kickback and Family Fun Day at its wine bar and cafe location.
+ 4 more
strategies · 5
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.
- Amplification of Marginalized Voices in Filmmethodology: equity-in-amplificationBy directing resources toward underrepresented and marginalized voices in the film industry, we advance equity in cultural representation because systemic inequities are addressed through intentional inclusion and platform-sharing.
- Community-Led Program Development for Authentic Engagementmethodology: community-led-program-developmentBy involving community members in the design of programs, we ensure cultural relevance and authentic participation because community ownership increases trust, inclusivity, and program effectiveness.
- Equity in Access to Media Arts Educationmethodology: equity-in-accessBy removing financial and logistical barriers through scholarships, financial aid, and transportation support, we increase participation in media arts education among underserved communities because equitable access enables broader engagement and learning outcomes.
- Film as a Catalyst for Community Connection and Dialoguemethodology: film-as-community-bridgeBy creating shared in-person cinematic experiences, we foster collective reflection, emotional connection, and cross-community dialogue because film serves as a unifying medium that bridges diverse perspectives and builds communal understanding.
- Visual Literacy Through Film for Empathy and Critical Thinkingmethodology: visual-literacy-through-filmBy teaching visual culture literacy through diverse film narratives, we cultivate empathy, critical thinking, and social-emotional learning in students because exposure to varied stories promotes deeper understanding of different lived experiences.