Cinereach Ltd is a nonprofit story incubator and media production company based in Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 2006, the organization operates at the intersection of impact storytelling and popular entertainment, functioning as both a film foundation and production company. In 2021, Cinereach expanded its scope to incorporate a systems thinking approach to developing original content and began working across multiple media formats including television and video games.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$18.4M
+15.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$200K
-20.0% YoY
Grant Count
1
-66.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$200K
+140.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Cinereach is committed to exploring how stories can spark new ways of thinking to address society's most pressing problems. The organization empowers storytellers with resources and tools needed to craft narratives that generate greater curiosity, agency, empathy, and understanding.
Primary funding interests include:
- Arts and culture
- Film and video
- Children and youth
- Artists and performers
- Activists
- Visual arts
- Environment and climate change
- Information and communications
- Media access and policy
- Media and digital literacy
- Media and digital justice
- Communication media
- Television
- Web-based media
- International human rights
Grantmaking
Cinereach provides support through multiple funding mechanisms including project funding, fellowships, and organizational support. The organization made 40 grants in its most recent reporting year.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Cinereach funds projects internationally, with particular activity in the United States and Canada. The organization maintains a global perspective, with staff attending events and film festivals in the US and abroad. Specific funding locations include New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Fiscal Year (June 2024):
- Total Assets: $18,374,740
- Total Revenue: $6,577,012
- Total Expenses: $3,980,612
- Staff: 12 employees
Previous Fiscal Year (June 2023):
- Total Assets: $15,876,706
- Total Revenue: $5,658,741
- Total Expenses: $3,330,000
The organization generates revenue through production cost recoveries and royalties from films produced by Cinereach Ltd as a primary means of accomplishing its charitable mission.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $18,374,740 | $15,876,706 | $14,556,844 |
| Revenue | $6,577,012 | $5,634,895 | $3,108,949 |
| Expenses | $3,980,612 | $3,328,527 | $2,862,490 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,533,664 | $4,800,722 | $3,004,097 |
| Net Investment Income | $489,404 | $425,289 | $60,978 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 1 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
84 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Sundance Institute ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SUNDANCE INSTITUTE PARK CITY, UT | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN - INNOVATION FUND | $200,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Philipp Engelhorn — Founder & Executive Director / Interim Chief Executive Officer
- Michael Raisler — Co-Founder
- Jennifer Strachan — Chief Executive Officer
- Syia Lewis-Doryumu — Chief of Staff
- Mary Dunaway Cage — Chief Philanthropy Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHILIPP ENGELHORN | DIRECTOR, FOUNDER & CHAIR | 1 | — |
| BRUCE RABB | SECRETARY & TREASURER | 1 | — |
| MYLE GOEL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TAMIR MUHAMMAD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ERICA WILLIAMS SIMON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER STRACHAN | CEO | 40 | $291,567 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cinereach Ltd fund?
Cinereach is committed to exploring how stories can spark new ways of thinking to address society's most pressing problems. The organization empowers storytellers with resources and tools needed to craft narratives that generate greater curiosity, agency, empathy, and understanding. Primary funding interests include: • Arts and culture • Film and video • Children and youth • Artists and performers • Activists • Visual arts • Environment and climate change • Information and communications • Medi…
How do I apply for a grant from Cinereach Ltd?
Cinereach provides support through multiple funding mechanisms including project funding, fellowships, and organizational support. The organization made 40 grants in its most recent reporting year. Recent grant activity includes a $200,000 grant to Sundance Institute for the Capital Campaign - Innovation Fund (2024). The organization has historically supported notable films including *Marcel the Shell with Shoes On*, *Beasts of the Southern Wild*, *The Florida Project*, *The Assistant*, *After …
Where does Cinereach Ltd make grants?
Cinereach funds projects internationally, with particular activity in the United States and Canada. The organization maintains a global perspective, with staff attending events and film festivals in the US and abroad. Specific funding locations include New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto.
What size grants does Cinereach Ltd award?
In 2024, Cinereach Ltd awarded 1 grants totaling $200K — an average of about $200K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Cinereach Ltd's EIN?
Cinereach Ltd's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2946241. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cinereach Ltd's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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