Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the discovery and development of independent artists and audiences. Based in Park City, Utah, the Institute provides financial and creative resources to filmmakers and artists in film and episodic storytelling. Founded in 1981 by Robert Redford, Sundance Institute operates year-round to support emerging and established independent artists through labs, intensives, grants, and mentorships.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$73.4M
-2.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.9M
+40.9% YoY
Grant Count
56
-5.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$34K
+48.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Institute's mission centers on fostering independence, risk-taking, and new voices in American film and storytelling. According to the organization's statement: "Storytellers broaden our minds: engage, provoke, inspire, and ultimately, connect us."
Primary program areas include:
Documentary Film Program: Provides financial and creative resources to nonfiction filmmakers worldwide. The Documentary Fund grants over $2 million annually in non-recoupable film financing through open applications. The program includes labs focused on editing and producing that support both emerging and experienced makers, with ongoing strategic and creative support throughout the film's lifecycle.
Digital Festival: Provides access to the Sundance Film Festival program through an online platform, expanding reach and accessibility to patrons globally, including both feature-length and short films.
Labs and Intensives: Offers 12 labs and intensives annually supporting more than 1,000 artists each year.
Sundance Film Festival: An annual January event introducing a global audience to groundbreaking work and emerging talent in independent film.
Public Programming: Hosts programs in the U.S. and internationally to connect artists with audiences and present original voices.
Grantmaking
Sundance Institute distributes grants exceeding $3 million annually. Recent grant programs include:
Ready to take the next step with Sundance Institute?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Sundance Institute supports nonfiction filmmakers and artists around the world, with a global reach through its programs and the annual Sundance Film Festival. The organization operates in 14 countries and maintains headquarters in Park City, Utah.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of fiscal year 2024:
- Total Assets: $73.4 million
- Annual Revenue: $42.1 million
- Total Revenues: $42,055,195
- Total Expenses: $47,220,707
- Total Liabilities: $7.35 million (as of 2023)
- Total Giving: $3,104,500
Organizational Status:
- EIN: 87-0361394
- Tax-exempt status: 501(c)(3), ruling year 1981
- Employees: 589 (as of 2024)
Ratings: The organization holds a Four-Star rating with a 97% score based on accountability, finance, leadership, and adaptability metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $73,427,883 | $75,369,619 | $79,065,331 |
| Revenue | $42,055,195 | $45,006,005 | $58,559,738 |
| Expenses | $47,220,707 | $49,251,808 | $45,150,233 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,305,186 | $1,009,417 | $1,276,340 |
| 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 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
10 open opportunities from Sundance Institute
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Redford Center ($200,000), Louverture Films LLC ($100,000), Walker Film LLC ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| No Flashlight Pasadena, CA | Filmmaking | $33,250 |
| 2137 Films Venice, CA | Filmmaking | $10,000 |
| Rathaus Films LLC Brooklyn, NY | Filmmaking | $10,000 |
| Willa Productions New York, NY | Filmmaking | $10,000 |
| Khoury-Yacoub Productions Inc Purchase, NY | Filmmaking | $16,250 |
| Kaulumaika LLC Kailua, HI | Filmmaking | $6,500 |
| Aloha Action Studios LLC Las Vegas, NV | Filmmaking | $6,500 |
| When They Were Here LLC Billings, MT | Filmmaking | $6,500 |
| Ozhitoon LLC Ridgewood, NY | Filmmaking | $10,000 |
| The River Picture LLC Brooklyn, NY | Filmmaking | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Robert Redford serves as president and founder of Sundance Institute. The organization employs a team of 165 full-time employees who work year-round to deliver its programs and services.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amanda Kelso | Trustee & Acting CEO (Effective March 2024) | 16 | — |
| Ebs Burnough | Board Chair | 5 | — |
| Gigi Pritzker | Vice Chair | 3 | — |
| Robert Redford | Founder | — | — |
| Sean Bailey | Vice Chair & Chair of Marketing Committee | 3 | — |
| William Plapinger | Treasurer & Chair of Finance Committee | 3 | — |
| Alejandro Ramirez Magana | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Amy Redford | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Ann Lewnes | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Barry Tyerman | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Caterina Fake | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Charles King | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Cindy Harrell Horn | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Donna Gruneich | Trustee & Chair of Development Committee | 2 | — |
| Geoff Sands | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Jason Blum | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Jeanne Donovan Fisher | Trustee & Chair of Governance Committee | 3 | — |
| Kimberle Crenshaw | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Kimberly Steward | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Lulu Wang | Artist Trustee | 1 | — |
| Lyn Davis Lear | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Nadine Schiff-Rosen | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Nina Fialkow | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Pat Mitchell | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Patrick Gaspard | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Pete Nicks | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Philipp Engelhorn | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Robert Frankenberg | Trustee, Chair of Audit Committee & Co-Chair of Tech Committee | 3 | — |
| Shripriya Mahesh | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Tessa Thompson | Artist Trustee | 1 | — |
| Uzodinma Iweala | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Wonya Lucas | Trustee | 1 | — |
| Helen Wallace | Managing Director | 40 | $419,244 |
| Joana Vicente Kliot | Chief Executive Officer | 40 | $559,571 |
| Laura Ryan | Chief Operating Officer | 40 | $261,633 |
| Michelle Anderson | Chief Financial Officer, Former | 40 | $181,216 |
| Trista Schroeder | General Counsel & Board Secretary | 40 | $259,582 |
| Eugene Hernandez | Director, Sundance Film Festival & Public Programming | 40 | $309,825 |
| Katherine Benay | Director, Marketing | 40 | $201,170 |
| Kimberly Yutani | Senior Director of Programming, Sundance Film Festival | 40 | $173,520 |
| Maryam Sadeghy | Director, Partnerships & Co-Director, Advancement | 40 | $213,332 |
| Michelle Satter | Founding Senior Director, Artist Programs | 40 | $302,085 |
| Sheri Green | Chief Product & Technology Officer | 40 | $264,340 |
| Tammie Rosen | Chief Communications Officer | 40 | $202,710 |
| Beth Tripmacher | Director, Collab | 40 | $170,190 |
| Ilyse McKimmie | Deputy Director, Feature Film Program | 40 | $139,970 |
| Karen Bono | Director, Human Resources | 40 | $148,251 |
| Kristin Feeley | Director, Documentary Film Program | 40 | $155,406 |
| Paul Labay | Director, Digital | 40 | $183,312 |
| Tabitha Jackson | Director of Sundance Film Festival | 40 | $150,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The organization announced 2026 Sandbox Fund grantees, including 16 science documentary grants to filmmakers from 11 countries. Recent grant announcements include the Sundance Institute Filmmakers Fund distributing $120,000 to 12 emerging artists.
Announcing the 2026 Sundance Institute | Sandbox Fund GranteesThe Institute publishes annual economic impact reports for the Sundance Film Festival, documenting the festival's contribution to the Park City region and broader cultural landscape.
Announcing the 2026 Sundance Institute | Sandbox Fund GranteesSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sundance Institute fund?
The Institute's mission centers on fostering independence, risk-taking, and new voices in American film and storytelling. According to the organization's statement: "Storytellers broaden our minds: engage, provoke, inspire, and ultimately, connect us." Primary program areas include: • **Documentary Film Program**: Provides financial and creative resources to nonfiction filmmakers worldwide. The Documentary Fund grants over $2 million annually in non-recoupable film financing through open applic…
How do I apply for a grant from Sundance Institute?
Sundance Institute distributes grants exceeding $3 million annually. Recent grant programs include: • Sundance Documentary Fund • Feature Film Producers Track • Graton Fellowship • Merata Mita Fellowship • Sandbox Fund Grant • Sundance Collab's Cultural Impact Residency • Sundance Ignite X Adobe Fellowship • Sundance Institute Filmmakers Fund The organization has received federal support from the National Endowment for the Arts (23 awards totaling $2,005,000 in 2024), the National Endowment for…
Where does Sundance Institute make grants?
Sundance Institute supports nonfiction filmmakers and artists around the world, with a global reach through its programs and the annual Sundance Film Festival. The organization operates in 14 countries and maintains headquarters in Park City, Utah.
What size grants does Sundance Institute award?
In 2024, Sundance Institute awarded 56 grants totaling $1.9M — an average of about $34K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Sundance Institute's EIN?
Sundance Institute's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-0361394. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sundance Institute's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Ford Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
Perspective Media Initiatives Inc
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$21.1M
Grants
92
Total Given
$8.0M
John D and Catherine T Macarthur
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
The Chicago Community Trust
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$6.0B
Grants
3,976
Total Given
$1.4B
The Andrew W Mellon Foundation
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$7.8B
Grants
848
Total Given
$555.0M
Tides Foundation
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
Assets
$534.5M
Grants
2,110
Total Given
$382.1M
Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$12.7B
Grants
7,424
Total Given
$3.0B
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA
Assets
$12.3B
Grants
3,576
Total Given
$3.2B
Network for Good
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$96.2M
Grants
4,733
Total Given
$216.2M
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Sundance Institute on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities