Blackstar Projects Inc
Blackstar Projects Inc is a public charity based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It supports Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists and filmmakers through year-round film and visual-culture programming, including the BlackStar Film Festival, screenings, exhibitions, a journal, a filmmaker seminar, and a production lab.
Blackstar Projects Inc at a glance
In short: Blackstar Projects Inc gave $315K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $26K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $314,906
- +113.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- +71.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $26,242
- +24.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $24,375
- Total assets
- $5,488,004
- +57.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (55% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Blackstar Projects Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 320 S Broad Street 131, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: (267) 603-2755
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Blackstar Projects Inc
Who Blackstar Projects Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Lalibaltimore LLC ($82K). Together the top 10 received $296K.
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 23 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania (55%), Maryland (26%), California (10%), and New York (9%). The Philadelphia Filmmaker Lab is for filmmakers in the Greater Philadelphia area; the North Star Fellowship is described as open to creative nonfiction filmmakers across various regions.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
How Blackstar Projects Inc gives
- 33% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $7K (2021) to $315K (2025). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $315K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lalibaltimore LLC Baltimore, MD | General Support | $81,906 |
| Two Birds One Key LLC Los Angeles, CA | General Support | $30,000 |
| Soft Film LLC Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $28,500 |
| Studio Anyi LLC Philadelphia, PA | Black Star Filmmaker Lab Production Grant | $25,000 |
| Ingoma LLC Lancaster, PA | General Support | $25,000 |
| Sotomayor Productions Development LLC Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $25,000 |
| Karmalux LLC Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $23,750 |
| White Meat Movie LLC Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $19,000 |
| Fire Work Media LLC Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $19,000 |
| Keeps Me Free LLC Brooklyn, NY | General Support | $18,750 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,488,004 | $7,248,433 | $5,020,419 | $314,906 | 12 | $19,361 |
| 2024 | $3,492,918 | $3,675,666 | $4,740,426 | $147,750 | 7 | $22,375 |
| 2023 | $4,702,471 | $4,991,696 | $5,786,380 | $85,500 | 3 | $17,767 |
| 2022 | $5,546,062 | $5,152,810 | $3,796,085 | — | — | $3,734 |
| 2021 | $3,931,726 | $4,267,503 | $2,740,286 | $7,304 | 1 | $117 |
| 2020 | $2,088,938 | $2,653,110 | $991,394 | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
BlackStar’s stated mission is to promote film and visual culture by people of color and create spaces and resources to uplift Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists working outside the confines of genre. Its programs include the annual BlackStar Film Festival, the Philadelphia Filmmaker Lab, and the William and Louise Greaves Filmmaker Seminar.
The 2025 filing lists grants primarily for general support, as well as a production grant for the BlackStar Filmmaker Lab. Several listed recipients are LLCs; the available information does not describe their missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, BlackStar reported 12 grants totaling $314,906. Awards ranged from $9,500 to $81,906, with a median of $24,375. The largest listed grant was $81,906 to LALIBALTIMORE LLC in Baltimore, Maryland, for general support. Other notable awards were $30,000 to TWO BIRDS ONE KEY LLC in Los Angeles for general support; $28,500 to SOFT FILM LLC in Philadelphia for general support; and $25,000 to STUDIO ANYI LLC in Philadelphia for a BlackStar Filmmaker Lab production grant.
BlackStar’s artist-opportunity materials describe the Philadelphia Filmmaker Lab as a year-long fellowship with $50,000 in production funds for filmmakers in the Greater Philadelphia area. The North Star Fellowship supports four media artists and filmmakers developing creative nonfiction projects; its award amounts are not specified. These are participant programs, distinct from grants reported in the filing. The listed 2026 application deadlines for the Lab and North Star Fellowship—May 23 and June 3, respectively—have passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Denise C. Beek and Sekou Campbell as co-chairs; Amanda Branson Gill as treasurer; and Tayyib Smith as secretary. It also lists Sunanda Ghosh and Ted Passon as directors, Maori Karmael Holmes as artistic director and CEO, Imran Siddiquee as chief communications officer, Terri Hall-Jackson as engagement and partnership director, and Leo Brooks as creative director.
Blackstar Projects Inc is led by Maori Karmael Holmes, Artistic Director & CEO on every filing since 2020; 8 of 14 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Maori Karmael Holmes
Artistic Director & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$59K (2020) → $228K (2025)
Autumn Valdez
Business Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$102K (2024) → $104K (2025)
Nehad Khader
Festival Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$101K (2024) → $103K (2025)
Heidi Saman
Program Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$110K (2025)
Leo Brooks
Creative Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$102K (2025)
Terri Hall- Jackson
Engagement & Partnership Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$102K (2025)
Sunanda Ghosh
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ted Passon
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Imran Siddiquee
Chief Communications Officer
CCO → Chief Communications Officer, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$110K (2022) → $152K (2025)
Catherine Lee
Chief Operations Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$122K (2024) → $149K (2025)
Amanda Branson Gill
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denise C. Beek
Co-Chair
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sekou Campbell
Co-Chair
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tayyib Smith
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Swabreen Bakr (2024) — Marketing & Engagement Director
- Former: Sara Zia E. Hughes (2021–2023) — COO
- Former: Michael Garden (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Taj Reid (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $228K, to Maori Karmael Holmes (Artistic Director & CEO). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Blackstar Projects Inc
How much does Blackstar Projects Inc give each year?
Blackstar Projects Inc gave $315K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $148K across 7 grants.
What is Blackstar Projects Inc's typical grant size?
Blackstar Projects Inc's median grant in 2025 was $24,375, and its average grant was $26,242, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Blackstar Projects Inc give grants?
Blackstar Projects Inc gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Maryland (26%) and California (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Philadelphia, PA (7 grants).
Does Blackstar Projects Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 92% of Blackstar Projects Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Blackstar Projects Inc's largest grantees?
Blackstar Projects Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Lalibaltimore LLC ($81,906), Two Birds One Key LLC ($30,000) and Soft Film LLC ($28,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Blackstar Projects Inc?
Blackstar Projects Inc reported $5.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.2M.
What does Blackstar Projects Inc fund?
BlackStar’s stated mission is to promote film and visual culture by people of color and create spaces and resources to uplift Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists working outside the confines of genre. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Blackstar Projects Inc?
Blackstar Projects Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Blackstar Projects Inc's EIN?
Blackstar Projects Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-3129761. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 27, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 31, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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