Redford Center Inc
The Redford Center is an independent environmental nonprofit co-founded in 2005 by activists and filmmakers Robert Redford and James Redford. Based in San Francisco, California, it is one of the only US-based nonprofits solely dedicated to environmental impact filmmaking. The organization develops and invests in narrative tools that strengthen and broaden the reach of grassroots environmental movements, using film as a primary medium to shift culture, build empathy, and move people into action.
Key facts about Redford Center Inc
- EIN
- 46-4549706
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,317,199
- Grants made (2024)
- 32
- Average grant
- $228,662
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 78% first-time grantees (25 of 32, 2024)
- Total assets
- $7,568,395
- Primary geography
- California (49% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Next open deadline
- October 1, 2026 (Redford Center Grants)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Redford Center Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Redford Center Inc's 32 itemized 2024 grants were California (49%) and Ohio (36%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants), San Francisco, CA (2 grants) and Oakland, CA (2 grants). None of its 32 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Documentary Filmmaking" (32 grants).
Is Redford Center Inc open to new grantees?
78%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 25 of 32 grantees (78%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $49K; repeat grants $869K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $105K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Redford Center Inc
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.6M
-27.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.3M
+35.4% YoY
Grant Count
32
+100.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$229K
-32.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Redford Center advances environmental solutions through the power of stories that move. The organization believes that film is one of the most powerful tools to shift culture, build empathy, represent frontline communities, and mobilize people for environmental action.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Environmental impact filmmaking and documentary production
- Support for independent filmmakers through grants and fiscal sponsorship
- Environmental education and awareness campaigns
- Climate solutions storytelling
- Grassroots environmental movement amplification
Grantmaking
The Redford Center operates multiple filmmaker support initiatives:
Ready to take the next step with Redford Center Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Redford Center's films and impact campaigns reach audiences across all 50 states and 45+ countries. Films have received distribution from Netflix, Hulu, HBO, PBS, and National Geographic. Recent grantees include projects spanning multiple continents and regions.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 32 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $10,437,703
- Total Revenue: $11,485,028
- Total Expenses: $7,882,734
- Employees: 11
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $7,568,395
- Total Giving: $7,719,007
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since August 2014
- EIN: 46-4549706
- Four-Star rating with 97% score
Funding Model: The organization operates as a non-endowed nonprofit, meaning donations directly support filmmakers and operations.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,568,395 | $10,437,703 | $6,808,241 |
| Revenue | $7,071,995 | $11,485,028 | $4,498,128 |
| Expenses | $10,000,304 | $7,882,734 | $5,258,906 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $122,488 | $41,353 | $3,280 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
112 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Redford Center Inc
Fiscal Sponsorship Program
Redford Center Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship
Redford Center Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Redford Center Grants
Redford Center Inc
Amount
$25,000 (Year 1); Additional funding available in Year 2
Deadline
October 1, 2026
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Big Picture Ranch LLC ($3,178,298), Groundswell Movie LLC ($2,606,481), Shane Andersonswiftwater Films LLC ($356,747).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BIG PICTURE RANCH LLC Ojai, CA | DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING | $3,178,298 |
| GROUNDSWELL MOVIE LLC Rushville, OH | DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING | $2,606,481 |
| SHANE ANDERSONSWIFTWATER FILMS LLC Olympia, WA | DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING | $356,747 |
| CULTURE CROSSING LLCLISA LANDERS Larkspur, CA | DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING | $165,769 |
| PRETTIER IN THE DARK LLC New York, NY | DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING | $147,250 |
| REFASHIONABLE LLC Knoxville, TN | DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING | $104,678 |
| PETE MCBRIDE PRODUCTIONS Basalt, CO | DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING | $96,000 |
| HARVEST DOCUMENTARY LLC San Francisco, CA | DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING | $70,500 |
| LNOLHLLCALEXANDRA NORRIS Washington, DC | DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING | $56,400 |
| TWO ROW PRODUCTIONS LLC Hogansburg, NY | DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING | $54,618 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Co-Founders:
- Robert Redford (1936–2025)
- James Redford (1962–2020)
Current Leadership:
- Conor Schlosser, Robert Redford's grandson, spoke at the organization's 20th anniversary celebration in December 2025
Staff:
- Nicole Kite (contact for program support and in-kind giving)
- Grace Davis (contact for financial transfers and donations)
- Approximately 11–20 employees as of 2023
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dylan Redford | Board Chair | 1 | — |
| Hannah Abuzaineh | Co-Chair | 1 | — |
| Cody Evans | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Denise Porche | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Jannat Gargi | Director | 1 | — |
| Robert Redford | Director | 1 | — |
| Conor Schlosser | Director | 1 | — |
| Jeffrey Ubben | Director | 1 | — |
| Jill Tidman | President and Executive Officer | 40 | $240,000 |
| Kathleen Cruz Lamb | Managing Director | 40 | $102,905 |
| Heather Fipps | Program Director | 40 | $139,999 |
| Jonathan White | Director of Operations & Fiscal Sponsorship | 40 | $143,000 |
| Nicole Kite | Development Manager | 40 | $100,833 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**December 2025:** The Redford Center celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special event at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. The celebration honored the legacy of co-founders Robert and James Redford and unveiled an ambitious vision for continuing their work. The event featured exclusive first-look trailers from two new documentary projects: *Undamming Klamath* and *Symphony of Silence*.
The Redford Center is Fueling Environmental Filmmaking with New Half a Million**October 2025:** The organization announced more than $500,000 in new funding across three filmmaker support initiatives, including the launch of the Nature Connection Pitch competition, a $100,000 impact campaigns pilot program, and $400,000 in additional grants through the Grants Program.
The Redford Center Expands Grants For Environmental Impact Films With 13**Ongoing Programs:**
"Films That Move" virtual screening series: Since relaunching in May 2023, the program has screened 19 environmental documentaries and reached nearly 2,000 viewers
"The People vs Climate Change" collaborative event with PopShift, convening 50 people affected by climate change with 50 Hollywood writers
Hollywood Climate Summit Pitchfest in partnership with NBC Universal, which received 125 climate-themed film scripts and TV pilots
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Redford Center Inc fund?
**Mission:** The Redford Center advances environmental solutions through the power of stories that move. The organization believes that film is one of the most powerful tools to shift culture, build empathy, represent frontline communities, and mobilize people for environmental action. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Environmental impact filmmaking and documentary production • Support for independent filmmakers through grants and fiscal sponsorship • Environmental education and awareness campaigns •…
How do I apply for a grant from Redford Center Inc?
The Redford Center operates multiple filmmaker support initiatives: **Grant Program Overview:** • Since 2016, the organization has awarded $3 million in grants to 85 films • In 2023, the organization provided $5.4 million in funding and filmmaker services to film and media projects through fiscal sponsorship • Total giving in 2024: $7,719,007 **Recent Grant Initiatives:** • **Nature Connection Pitch:** A short documentary competition launched in partnership with DC/DOX • **Impact Campaigns Pilo…
Where does Redford Center Inc make grants?
The Redford Center's films and impact campaigns reach audiences across all 50 states and 45+ countries. Films have received distribution from Netflix, Hulu, HBO, PBS, and National Geographic. Recent grantees include projects spanning multiple continents and regions.
What size grants does Redford Center Inc award?
In 2024, Redford Center Inc awarded 32 grants totaling $7.3M — an average of about $229K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Redford Center Inc's EIN?
Redford Center Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-4549706. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.