irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $68KThe Organization has incorporated Deem Journal to its program activties. Deem Journal is a bi-annual print and online platform that treats design not just as product or aesthetics but as a social practice. It creates space for vital and transformative conversations through a variety of physical and digital storytelling formats and experiences. It features marginalized and non-traditional voices, asking questions of equity, dignity, and inclusion in the design process rather than simply celebrating output.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Asunden
Hybrid feature film in development, inspired by real events on Gotland, Sweden, exploring environmental activism and family breakdown amid mining disputes.
Shield and Spear
Feature documentary examining post-Apartheid South Africa through its vibrant art, music, and activist scenes.
The Limestone Conflict
Short documentary about the environmental and community conflict over limestone mining in the Ojnare forest of Gotland, Sweden.
The New Bauhaus
Feature documentary exploring the life and legacy of Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, a pioneering artist and educator who integrated technology into design.
The Russian Winter
Feature documentary following musician John Forté on a concert tour across Russia after his prison sentence was commuted.
This World is Not My Own
Feature documentary reimagining the life of self-taught artist Nellie Mae Rowe, blending live action and stop-motion animation to explore her art and world.
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Documentary Film Production 2 activities
- Production and distribution of feature-length documentary filmsProduces and distributes feature-length documentaries focusing on artists, designers, and cultural narratives, including "The New Bauhaus" about László Moholy-Nagy, "This World is Not My Own" about Nellie Mae Rowe, and "Shield and Spear" on art and activism in post-Apartheid South Africa. These films have premiered at venues such as SXSW and the Brooklyn Museum and are available on platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, and Vimeo.
- Production of short documentary films and commissioned worksCreates short documentaries and commissioned films on topics including art, design, environmental conflicts, and cultural figures. Examples include a film on limestone mining in Gotland, Sweden; portraits of Marfa, Texas as a site-specific art hub; documentation of architectural projects like the Portland Museum of Art redesign and The Lowline; and commissioned works for brands such as Dannijo, Stewart-Schafer, and Lever Architecture.
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Literary and Cultural Publishing 1 activity
- Publication and operation of Deem JournalOperates Deem Journal, a bi-annual print and online platform that positions design as a social practice and centers marginalized voices in conversations around equity, dignity, and inclusion.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$624K
Contributions & grants$614K98%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$10K
expenses
Total expenses$654K
Program expenses96%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$186K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$500K
Cash$419K
Investments$0
Liabilities$78K
Net assets$422K
Liquid reserves7.7 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -9.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HELENE SMITH-SOLA | PROGRAM MANAGER | 40 | $49K |
board members · 4
- HENRI ALEXALINE — Treasurer
- MARIANNA SCHAFFER — Director
- RYAN DUNN — Director
- SIGFRID SODERBERG — Chairman
relationships · 30
Who they work with
- Apple TV Partner — Distributes the documentary "The New Bauhaus" through the Apple TV platform.
- Brooklyn Museum Partner — Collaborated on the exhibition of reimagined environments for the Nellie Mae Rowe documentary.
- Center for Architecture Partner — Organization where Marquise Stillwell serves as a board member.
- Creative Capital Partner — Organization where Marquise Stillwell serves on the advisory board.
- Dannijo Partner — Produced multiple short films for the jewelry and fashion brand
- Deem Journal Partner — Print journal and online platform co-founded by Marquise Stillwell focused on design as social practice.
- Flat Partner — Creative agency co-founded by Petter Ringbom, where he worked with clients including MoMA, Red Cross, and ESPN.
- Forbes Partner — Featured coverage or review of the documentary "New Bauhaus".
- Google Play Partner — Distributes the documentary "The New Bauhaus" through the Google Play platform.
- Gothenburg International Film Festival Partner — Partnered with the festival for the release and screening of a short documentary on the limestone conflict.
- Gotland Film Lab Partner — Provided a research grant for the development of the film Asunden.
- Group Thrpy Partner — Commercial partner providing talent services.
- IIT Institute of Design Partner — Produced short documentaries for their “Strategy World Tour” initiative
- Ingmar Bergman Estate Partner — Hosts the Gotland Film Lab and supported research for Asunden.
- Juno Films Partner — Partnered for the acquisition and distribution of the documentary “This World Is Not My Own.”
- Lever Architecture Partner — Collaborated on a short film showcasing their work with mass timber
- Lever Architecture Partner — Collaborated with Opendox to visualize the winning design concept for the Portland Museum of Art redesign competition.
- MIDPOINT Feature Launch Partner — Selected Asunden for its script and development program.
- NXU Partner — Supported in the XQ Super School challenge to reimagine American high schools
- Nowness Partner — Co-released a film about The Lowline project
- Openbox Partner — Design research and planning studio founded by Marquise Stillwell, focused on people, cities, and the planet.
- Riverkeeper Partner — Organization where Marquise Stillwell serves on the advisory board.
- SXSW Partner — Hosted the world premiere of the documentary feature on Nellie Mae Rowe.
- Stae Partner — Open-source data hub acquired by Marquise Stillwell to visualize and leverage open city data.
- Stewart Schafer Partner — Produced commissioned short films for the architectural design company
- The Hollywood Reporter Partner — Provided promotional coverage and critical review of the documentary "Shield and Spear".
- The Lowline Partner — Organization where Marquise Stillwell was a Founding Board Member and Co-Chair.
- Urban Design Forum Partner — Organization where Marquise Stillwell is a fellow.
- Urban Ocean Lab Partner — Think tank for the future of coastal cities co-founded by Marquise Stillwell.
- Vimeo Partner — Distributes the documentary "The New Bauhaus" through the Vimeo on-demand platform.
strategies · 4
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.
- Collaborative Filmmaking as Equal Contributionmethodology: collaborative_filmmaking_modelBy treating filmmaking as an iterative, collaborative process where all roles contribute equally, the organization produces more authentic and ethically grounded narratives, because shared authorship reflects the values of equity and inclusion it seeks to promote.
- Creative Reimagining of Underrepresented Artistsmethodology: creative_reimaginingBy creatively reimagining the lives and artistic universes of underrepresented figures, the organization deepens cultural understanding, because integrating personal, historical, and cultural narratives makes their significance more accessible and resonant to broader audiences.
- Design as Social Practicemethodology: design-as-social-practiceBy using design as a social practice in storytelling, the organization fosters transformative conversations and systemic change, because centering marginalized voices and prioritizing equity, dignity, and inclusion enables more just and impactful narratives.
- Purpose-Driven Storytelling for Perception Changemethodology: storytelling-with-purposeBy employing purpose-driven documentary storytelling, the organization challenges dominant perceptions and inspires new understandings of self and society, because film has the power to provoke dialogue and emotional engagement that catalyzes shifts in worldview.