Berkeley Film Foundation
The Berkeley FILM Foundation is a 501(c)(3) grant and educational program for independent filmmakers with a mission to nurture, sustain and preserve the thriving local film community while attracting the next generation of filmmakers.
Berkeley Film Foundation at a glance
In short: Berkeley Film Foundation reported $118K in grants paid in 2024 (a total; its filing lists no individual grants). Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Grants paid (2024)
- $117,700 — reported as a total on the IRS filing, without an itemized list
- Total assets
- $724,180
- +17.1% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $592,884
- -26.9% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $4,697
- +8762.3% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $597,727
- +83.0% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Berkeley Film Foundation
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Berkeley Film Foundation
BFF: Documentary Grant
Berkeley Film Foundation
Amount
US $2,500 - US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Narrative Short Film Grant - General Grants
Berkeley Film Foundation
Amount
US $5,000 - US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Narrative Short Film Grant - Saul Zaentz Awards
Berkeley Film Foundation
Amount
US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Berkeley Film Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 4 grants of 5 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $118K (2024) to $127K (2020). In 2024 it reported $118K in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Documentary Boston, MA | Film grant | $70,000 |
| Kilgust & Cohen LLC Oakland, CA | Film grant | $25,000 |
| Freedom Bound Center Sacramento, CA | Fillm grant | $12,000 |
| Swell Cinema Berkeley, CA | Film grant | $12,000 |
| International Documentary Los Angeles, CA | Film grant | $7,500 |
Ready to take the next step with Berkeley Film Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $724,180 | $592,884 | $597,727 | $117,700 | Total only | $4,697 |
| 2023 | $618,248 | $810,889 | $326,621 | — | — | $53 |
| 2022 | $134,908 | $329,019 | $370,750 | — | — | $800 |
| 2021 | $174,663 | $212,102 | $358,480 | — | — | $9 |
| 2020 | $320,774 | $467,270 | $414,131 | $126,500 | 5 | $1,305 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Berkeley Film Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Berkeley Film Foundation is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Berkeley, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $724K in total assets. In 2024, it reported $118K in grants paid as a total on its IRS filing, without an itemized list. Net investment income was $5K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Berkeley Film Foundation is led by Abby Ginzberg, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 11 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Abby Ginzberg
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$650 (2021) → $0 (2024)
Isabella Miller
Programdirector
Program Directr → Programdirector, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$80K (2021) → $90K (2024)
Cheryl Dunye
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Fredrica Drotos
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Gooding
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julia Robertson
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Skinner
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Zaentz
Board Member
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard Robbins
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dawn Valadez
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judith Wetterer
Secretary
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Colin Bishopp (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Judy Wetterer (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Natalie Baszile (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Janet Plotkin (2020) — Executive Director
- Former: Tom Bates (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $90K, to Isabella Miller (ProgramDirector).
Frequently asked questions about Berkeley Film Foundation
How much does Berkeley Film Foundation give each year?
Berkeley Film Foundation reported $118K in grants paid in 2024 on its 2024 IRS Form 990, as a total without an itemized list of grants.
How large is Berkeley Film Foundation?
Berkeley Film Foundation reported $724K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $593K.
What is Berkeley Film Foundation?
Berkeley Film Foundation is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Berkeley, CA. It holds $724K in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Berkeley Film Foundation operate?
Berkeley Film Foundation has awarded grants in California, Massachusetts.
What is Berkeley Film Foundation's EIN?
Berkeley Film Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-4484794. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 21, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Berkeley Film Foundation funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Berkeley Film Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from Berkeley Film Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Berkeley Film Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?