Subject Matter Inc
Subject Matter Inc is a New York, New York-based public charity formed in 2022. It supports documentary films addressing urgent social issues and nonprofits working on the issues featured in those films, with the aim of connecting audiences to ways to take action.
Subject Matter Inc at a glance
In short: Subject Matter Inc gave $264K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $26K), top state New York. 100% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $264,308
- +55.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- +25.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $26,431
- +24.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $658,757
- +16.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 100% first-time grantees (10 of 10, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (40% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Subject Matter Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
Subject Matter does not accept unsolicited requests for its film and nonprofit grants; selections are made through festival collaborations. Its website provides an application process for the separate Audience Screening Fund.
- Contact
Mailing address: 145 W 11Th Street, New York, NY 10011
Phone: (636) 578-1268
Website: https://subjectmatter.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Subject Matter Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bishop Accountability ($36K). Together the top 10 received $264K.
Grant Size Distribution
32 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 32 grants of 32 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in five states: New York (40%), Massachusetts (23%), Louisiana (15%), North Carolina (12%), and Maryland (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Subject Matter Inc open to new grantees?
100%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 10 of 10 grantees (100%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $26K. How we count
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2022–2025). 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 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $120K (2022) to $264K (2025). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $264K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bishop Accountability Waltham, MA | General Program Support | $35,971 |
| Campaign for Southern Equality Asheville, NC | General Program Support | $32,860 |
| Pen America New York, NY | General Program Support | $30,227 |
| Center for Gun Violence Solutions Baltimore, MD | General Program Support | $25,250 |
| Radical Gaslighters LLC New York, NY | Filmmaking Support | $25,000 |
| Just Kids - Metropole Film Board Inc New York, NY | Filmmaking Support | $25,000 |
| All the Empty Rooms via Filmmakers Collaborative Melrose, MA | Filmmaking Support | $25,000 |
| Nuns VS the Vatican Aka Film Take Productions Brooklyn, NY | Filmmaking Support | $25,000 |
| First People's Conservation Council Chauvin, LA | General Program Support | $20,000 |
| Lowland Kids Films LLC Montegut, LA | Filmmaking Support | $20,000 |
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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 | $658,757 | $537,690 | $445,002 | $264,308 | 10 | $16,333 |
| 2024 | $565,062 | $487,822 | $359,570 | $170,500 | 8 | $16,385 |
| 2023 | $438,720 | $439,374 | $292,222 | $140,000 | 6 | $6,243 |
| 2022 | $309,658 | $462,617 | $172,959 | $120,000 | 8 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Subject Matter’s stated mission is to connect storytelling and meaningful change by providing funds and other resources to documentaries highlighting social issues and awarding corresponding grants to nonprofits tackling the featured topics.
Its film selections are feature-length documentaries focused on social issues currently affecting the United States. The organization looks for filmmaking teams with a connection to the subject matter; films featuring leaders connected to nonprofits working on the issues, character-driven stories, and hopeful films are of interest. Film grants support outreach and impact efforts. Nonprofit grantees are generally small to mid-sized grassroots organizations with a connection to a supported film and a successful program related to its issue.
The 2025 filing identifies grantee subject areas including the climate crisis, Indigenous rights, sexual abuse, gun violence, trans youth healthcare, and intellectual freedom. Among its grantees, Campaign for Southern Equality says it works for full LGBTQ equality, legal and lived, across the South. First People’s Conservation Council says it provides a forum for Native American tribes in coastal Louisiana to identify and solve natural-resource issues on their tribal lands.
Grantmaking
In 2025, Subject Matter reported 10 grants totaling $264,308. Individual grants ranged from $20,000 to $35,971, with a median of $25,000. The filing describes the grants as supporting five social-issue documentaries and five nonprofits addressing the films’ issues.
Among the largest reported 2025 grants were $35,971 to Bishop Accountability for general program support; $32,860 to Campaign for Southern Equality for general program support; $30,227 to PEN America for general program support; and $25,250 to Center for Gun Violence Solutions for general program support. Film-related grants included $25,000 to Radical Gaslighters LLC, $25,000 to Just Kids – Metropole Film Board Inc, $25,000 to All the Empty Rooms via Filmmakers Collaborative, and $25,000 to Nuns vs the Vatican aka Film Take Productions, each for filmmaking support.
Subject Matter also offers an Audience Screening Fund for community leaders organizing in-person, free U.S. screenings of supported films. Its website describes microgrants of up to $1,000, awarded on a rolling basis, to cover licensing and hosting expenses. Screening plans must intend to gather at least 20 people, provide accessibility accommodations, follow the film’s licensing terms, share information about the corresponding nonprofit grantee, and include a post-event survey with photos and attendance numbers. The website invites individuals, nonprofits, educators, libraries, community centers, and others to apply.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lily Band and Jeffrey Wright as board co-chairs; Samantha Rudin Earls as treasurer; Loren Hammonds as secretary; Christie Marchese and Din Blankenship as board members; and Colleen Hammond and David Earls as co-executive directors. Sal Al-Rashid is listed as a former board member.
Subject Matter Inc is led by Colleen Hammond, Co-Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 2 of 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Colleen Hammond
Co-Executive Director
On filings since 2022
20 hrs/week
$10K (2022) → $65K (2025)
David Earls
Co-Executive Director
On filings since 2022
20 hrs/week
$10K (2022) → $35K (2025)
Christie Marchese
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Wright
Board Co-Chair
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lily Band
Board Co-Chair
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Loren Hammonds
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Samantha Rudin Earls
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sal Al-Rashid
Former Board Member
Board Member → Former Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Din Blankenship
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Ferne Pearlstein (2023–2024) — Former Board Member
- Former: Amy Hobby (2022–2023) — Co-Executive Director
- Former: Julia Greenberg (2022–2023) — Former Board Member
- Former: Ferne Pearlstine (2022) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "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 $65K, to Colleen Hammond (Co-Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Subject Matter Inc
How much does Subject Matter Inc give each year?
Subject Matter Inc gave $264K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $171K across 8 grants.
What is Subject Matter Inc's typical grant size?
Subject Matter Inc's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $26,431, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Subject Matter Inc that year got $26K on average.
Where does Subject Matter Inc give grants?
Subject Matter Inc's top state is New York, with 40% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Massachusetts (23%) and Louisiana (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (3 grants).
Does Subject Matter Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 50% of Subject Matter Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Filmmaking Support" (5 grants).
Who are Subject Matter Inc's largest grantees?
Subject Matter Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Bishop Accountability ($35,971), Campaign for Southern Equality ($32,860) and Pen America ($30,227), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Subject Matter Inc?
Subject Matter Inc reported $659K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $538K.
What does Subject Matter Inc fund?
Subject Matter’s stated mission is to connect storytelling and meaningful change by providing funds and other resources to documentaries highlighting social issues and awarding corresponding grants to nonprofits tackling the featured topics. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Subject Matter Inc?
Subject Matter does not accept unsolicited requests for its film and nonprofit grants; selections are made through festival collaborations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Subject Matter Inc's EIN?
Subject Matter Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-4665955. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.
Does Subject Matter Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 19, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 29, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Subject Matter Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/subject-matter-inc-morg_de1ebbcdf0444d86812ce455b3e51189
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_874665955_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Subject Matter Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/subject-matter-inc-morg_de1ebbcdf0444d86812ce455b3e51189},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Subject Matter Inc'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.
Subject Matter Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?