Utah Film Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Salt Lake City, Utah, dedicated to film exhibition, education, and artist support. Also known as Salt Lake City Film Center and Artists Collaborative, the organization was founded in 2002 and has been tax-exempt since July 2003. The organization employs 22 staff members and operates as a nonprofit dedicated to connecting communities through film.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.2M
+195.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.8M
-12.3% YoY
Grant Count
56
-25.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$175K
+17.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Utah Film Center's mission is to connect people, stories, and ideas through film exhibition, artist support, and media arts education. The organization envisions a world where all of Utah's communities feel welcome, valued, and creatively empowered to make the world a better place. By amplifying diverse perspectives and marginalized voices, the organization believes it can foster a richer understanding of neighbors, fellow human beings, and the world around us.
The organization's primary program areas include:
- Film Exhibition: Regular screenings of independent, international, documentary, and dramatic films, with efforts to partner with nonprofit, business, and community organizations to build audiences
- Educational Programs: Professional development for teachers to use film and digital media in the classroom, and programs for students to learn about storytelling through film
- Fiscal Sponsorship: Administrative support, fundraising guidance, and support for select film projects that emphasize social content and artistic excellence
- Community Engagement: Post-film Q&As and discussions with visiting artists and professionals
The organization reaches more than 38,000 film lovers annually, with over 86% of programming offered free to the public.
Grantmaking
Utah Film Center operates a fiscal sponsorship program that provides administrative support, fundraising guidance, and support to individuals and organizations working on film projects consistent with the organization's mission. The program ensures that funding agencies and contributors can be confident that funds are well-managed and spent according to their guidelines.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization's primary geographic focus is Utah, with particular emphasis on Salt Lake City and surrounding communities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $8,212,610
- Total Revenue: $21,989,306
- Total Expenses: $19,899,620
- Total Giving: $17,872,277
Previous Year Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $2.78M
- Total Revenue: $14.2M
- Total Expenses: $14.2M
- Total Liabilities: $1.43M
The organization maintains a three-star rating with a 77% overall score based on accountability and finance metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,212,610 | $2,783,052 | $2,609,541 |
| Revenue | $21,989,306 | $14,249,682 | $12,292,988 |
| Expenses | $19,899,620 | $14,182,687 | $11,967,277 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $43,538 | $1,997 | $455 |
| 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
245 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The River Project Inc Songbird Studios ($431,925), Cookie Queen ($414,940), Kelly Slater Project Songbird Studios Inc ($379,964).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SOUTHSHORE ENTERTAINMENT INC TALLAHASSEE, FL | FILM AND DOCUMENTARY FUNDING | $5,508 |
| DINKY PICTURES LLC PACIFIC PALISADES, CA | FILM AND DOCUMENTARY FUNDING | $8,460 |
| FYF FILM LLC LOS ANGELES, CA | FILM AND DOCUMENTARY FUNDING | $9,488 |
| IDLE WILD FILMS INC SALT LAKE CITY, UT | FILM AND DOCUMENTARY FUNDING | $12,000 |
| TREMOLO PRODUCTIONS INC LOS ANGELES, CA | FILM AND DOCUMENTARY FUNDING | $14,088 |
| AS GOES FLORIDA LLC NEW YORK, NY | FILM AND DOCUMENTARY FUNDING | $14,238 |
| EARTH CAMP ONE LLC BROOKLYN, NY | FILM AND DOCUMENTARY FUNDING | $14,238 |
| DEFEND FREEDOM LLC BROOKLYN, NY | FILM AND DOCUMENTARY FUNDING | $14,250 |
| XVII FILMS LLC HOOD RIVER, OR | FILM AND DOCUMENTARY FUNDING | $14,534 |
| SABORRRR LLC SALT LAKE CITY, UT | FILM AND DOCUMENTARY FUNDING | $19,481 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key staff members identified include:
- Meghan Horner: Development Director
- John Kirsling: Chief Financial Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GERALYN DREYFOUS | BOARD CHAIR | 10 | — |
| SKYE EMERSON | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| HAMID ADIB | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| HEIDI PROKOP | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| SAM VETAS | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| KAREN HALE | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| GREG WALKER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| ZEPPELIN ZEERIP | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| ROBERT AUSTIN | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| ERIK CHRISTIANSON | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JEREMY COON | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| PETE ASHDOWN | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| MARIAH MELLUS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $111,481 |
| JOHN KIRSLING | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $96,735 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent activity demonstrates the organization's continued engagement with the film community:
Multiple Utah Film Center fiscally sponsored films have been selected for the Sundance Film Festival, including films featured at both the 2025 and 2026 festivals
4 Utah Film Center Fiscally Sponsored Films at the 2025 Sundance ...Mariah Mellus was honored with the Giving Voice Award at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival in recognition of work supported by Utah Film Center
Mariah Mellus Honored with Giving Voice Award at 2026 Sundance Film FestivalSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Utah Film Center fund?
Utah Film Center's mission is to connect people, stories, and ideas through film exhibition, artist support, and media arts education. The organization envisions a world where all of Utah's communities feel welcome, valued, and creatively empowered to make the world a better place. By amplifying diverse perspectives and marginalized voices, the organization believes it can foster a richer understanding of neighbors, fellow human beings, and the world around us. The organization's primary progra…
How do I apply for a grant from Utah Film Center?
Utah Film Center operates a fiscal sponsorship program that provides administrative support, fundraising guidance, and support to individuals and organizations working on film projects consistent with the organization's mission. The program ensures that funding agencies and contributors can be confident that funds are well-managed and spent according to their guidelines.
Where does Utah Film Center make grants?
The organization's primary geographic focus is Utah, with particular emphasis on Salt Lake City and surrounding communities.
What size grants does Utah Film Center award?
In 2024, Utah Film Center awarded 56 grants totaling $9.8M — an average of about $175K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Utah Film Center's EIN?
Utah Film Center's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-3077559. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Utah Film Center'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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