irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $13KTHE INTERVIEW ARCHIVE PRESERVES PERSONAL STORYTELLING FROM OUR SOCIETY'S MOST INSPIRATIONAL FIGURES, GIVING INSIGHT INTO THE LIVES AND EVENTS THAT SHAPED OUR CULTURE AND HISTORY. THESE NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN CONVERSATIONS ARE BOTH ORIGINAL AND AUTHENTIC, CAPTURED IN THE HIGHEST QUALITY BY AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKERS, AND MADE FREELY AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC BY KUNHARDT FILM FOUNDATION D/B/A LIFE STORIES.
- #2 $82IN 2023, KUNHARDT FILM FOUNDATION PRODUCED THE SILENT WITNESS, A SHORT-FORM DOCUMENTARY THAT EXPANDED ON THE PERSONAL TESTIMONY OF TOMIKO MORIMOTO WEST, A SURVIVOR OF THE ATOMIC BOMBING OF HIROSHIMA. AS A 13-YEAR-OLD WORKING IN A FACTORY ON AUGUST 6, 1945, WEST WITNESSED THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF THE NUCLEAR BOMB AND ENDURED THE HORRORS THAT FOLLOWED. AFTER YEARS OF SILENCE, SHE NOW SHARES HER STORY TO HELP OTHERS UNDERSTAND THE PROFOUND CONSEQUENCES OF WAR. THIS DOCUMENTARY IS PART OF KUNHARDT FILM FOUNDATION'S ONGOING EFFORTS TO CREATE MEANINGFUL, EDUCATIONAL CONTENT THAT BRINGS HISTORICAL AND HUMAN EXPERIENCES TO LIGHT.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Becoming Katharine Graham
Documentary film and educational initiative exploring the life of Katharine Graham, her leadership at The Washington Post, and her role in pivotal moments in journalism history.
Mario
Documentary film examining the life and legacy of New York Governor Mario Cuomo, focusing on his moral leadership and influence on American politics.
Seeds of Change
Short film about the life and legacy of Dolores Huerta, highlighting her lifelong advocacy for labor rights, dignity, and social justice.
Silent Witness
Short-form documentary featuring Tomiko Morimoto West, a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bombing, sharing her testimony to educate on the human cost of war.
The Interview Archive
Preserves personal storytelling from inspirational figures through high-quality filmed interviews, made freely available to the public.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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History Education Curriculum Development 1 activity
- Distributing open-access educational resources and curriculum aligned with documentary contentDevelops and provides free educational materials including lesson plans, study guides, transcripts, and curated interview segments for classroom use. These resources are distributed via a curated website and YouTube channel and have been integrated into coursework at institutions such as Stanford University and Morehouse College.
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Film Distribution and Screening Programs 1 activity
- Hosting community and educational screenings with post-viewing engagementOrganizes grassroots and institutional screenings of documentaries across the U.S., including in schools, colleges, and correctional facilities, followed by Q&As and facilitated discussions. Activities include over 370 community screenings for "True Justice," national virtual college screenings, and outreach to over 4,200 attendees through in-person and virtual events.
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Oral History Collection and Preservation 1 activity
- Preserving and publicly sharing in-depth personal storytelling through high-quality interviewsConducts and archives extensive documentary interviews with influential public figures, preserving their life journeys and contributions to history, politics, and culture. These interviews form the foundation of the organization's films, podcasts, and educational content.
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Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Producing and distributing documentary interview series and podcast contentProduces and distributes ongoing documentary interview series such as "The Thread" and "Life Stories Interviews," including podcast versions available on Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Podcasts. Season Two of "The Thread" included 16 episodes released weekly on YouTube, and the foundation has conducted in-depth interviews with hundreds of influential figures including John Lewis, Gloria Steinem, and Warren Buffett.
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Documentary Film Production 1 activity
- Producing documentary films and series on influential figures and pivotal moments in American historyCreates and releases full-length and short-form documentary films and series that explore the lives and legacies of significant individuals in American public life, including political leaders, civil rights icons, and cultural figures. Projects include "Becoming Katharine Graham," "Mario," "Lincoln's Dilemma," "Obama: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union," and "True Justice: Bryan Stevenson's Fight for Equality," with premieres at festivals such as Tribeca and distribution via broadcast and digital platforms.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Creating and distributing short-form educational content and public engagement initiativesProduces and releases weekly 60-second excerpts titled "A Democracy Minute" to highlight diverse perspectives on democratic values, accompanied by educator resources. Also produces curated short-form content such as "Life Stories Specials" with discussion guides to support public dialogue and learning.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.07M
Contributions & grants$437K41%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$548K51%
Other revenue$81K
expenses
Total expenses$3.80M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead13%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$2.51M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$37.46M
Cash$164K
Investments$31.50M
Liabilities$551
Net assets$37.46M
Liquid reserves100.0 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -89.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 8
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEORGE KUNHARDT | SECRETARY | 20 | $194K |
| EDWIN TEDDY KUNHARDT | VICE PRESIDENT | 20 | $194K |
| PETER KUNHARDT | PRESIDENT | 20 | $188K |
| EMILY KEATING | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $149K |
| ASHLEY EDGAR | POST PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR | 40 | $142K |
| EDGARDO CERVANO-SOTO | ASSISTANT EDITOR | 40 | $126K |
| EMMA SASSOON | PRODUCER | 40 | $118K |
| FRAN STERLING | DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION | 40 | $103K |
board members · 7
- ARLENE MILLAR — DIRECTOR
- DARIO ABREU — DIRECTOR
- JACQUELINE GLOVER — DIRECTOR
- JASON ZWANCH — DIRECTOR
- LILIANA WOLKING — DIRECTOR
- MARC AYALA — DIRECTOR
- TIMOTHY MATTISON — TREASURER
relationships · 62
Who they work with
- 826 Digital Partner — Collaborates on educational initiatives through digital storytelling platforms
- 826 Digital Partner — Collaborates on educational lesson development and distribution.
- 826 National Partner — Partners to provide K–12 students in under-resourced communities with writing and publishing programs using Life Stories content.
- 826 National Partner — Partners to support youth writing and storytelling programs
- Amazon Partner — Digital distribution platform for the documentary "Becoming Katharine Graham"
- American Bar Association Partner — Used The Soul of America as centerpiece of conference programming.
- American Constitution Society Partner — Used The Soul of America as centerpiece of conference programming.
- American Federation of Teachers Partner — Collaborates on education and civic engagement initiatives
- American Film Showcase Partner — Partnership focused on using film for public engagement and education
- American Immigration Lawyers Association Partner — Used The Soul of America as centerpiece of conference programming.
- Apple Music Partner — Distributes podcast content through Apple Music platform.
- Atlanta Public Schools Government — Provided district-wide training on documentary content.
- BNY Mellon Partner — Accepts donations to Life Stories through donor-advised funds.
- Booker T. Washington High School Government — Delivered educational programming at Dr. King’s alma mater.
- Bryan Stevenson Partner — Featured in a Life Stories documentary film.
- Burns Film Center Partner — Collaborates on film-based educational programming
- Center for Civic Education Partner — Co-hosts an interactive webinar on integrating digital media and first-person storytelling with constitutional questions.
- Charles B. and Margaret L. Sweatt Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Funder — Financial supporter of Life Stories Interviews
- CivXNow Partner — Collaborates on civic education and youth engagement efforts
- David Brooks Partner — Featured in a Life Stories documentary film.
- Edovo Partner — Collaborates on providing educational content in correctional facilities
- Educating for American Democracy Partner — Partnership aimed at strengthening civic education in schools
- Equal Justice Initiative Partner — Partners on projects related to civil rights and historical memory
- Faith and Politics Institute Partner — Collaborates on bridging civic engagement with moral and ethical leadership
- Fidelity Charitable Partner — Accepts donations to Life Stories through donor-advised funds.
- Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Partner — Partners on American history education and primary source storytelling
- Gloria Steinem Partner — Featured in a Life Stories documentary film.
- Google Podcasts Partner — Distributes podcast content through Google Podcasts platform.
- Gordon Parks Foundation Partner — Collaborates on using photography and film to tell stories of social justice
- Harry Belafonte Partner — Featured in a Life Stories documentary film.
+ 32 more
strategies · 3
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.
- Documentary Storytelling as Civic Educationmethodology: documentary_storytellingBy producing and distributing documentary films that profile changemakers and explore systemic inequities, we foster public awareness and inspire civic engagement, because narrative media makes complex social issues relatable and memorable, prompting dialogue and action.
- Education Through Documentary and Curriculum Integrationmethodology: education_through_documentaryBy aligning documentary content with lesson plans, discussion guides, and primary-source interviews, we enhance student learning and engagement, because structured educational resources help teachers translate powerful narratives into interdisciplinary classroom inquiry.
- Integrated Biographical Narrative for Holistic Understandingmethodology: integrated-biographical-documentaryBy weaving together public achievements and private identities—including family background and moral convictions—we create a deeper understanding of leadership, because holistic portraits help audiences connect emotionally and conceptually to the values that drive purposeful lives.