irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021
what they reported doing
Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.
- #1 primary $0THEATER OPERATIONS: THEATER OPERATIONS PROVIDE A COMMON FORUM AND MEETING GROUND FOR VARIOUS BRANCHES AND CRAFTS, AND KEEP MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMY INFORMED ABOUT THE ARTS AND SCIENCES OF MOTION PICTURES.
- #2 $0MEMBERSHIP AND PUBLICATIONS
named programs · 12 · from sources
what they call their work
ACADEMY100
A $500 million global revenue diversification and outreach campaign.
Academy Color Encoding System (ACES)
An initiative to standardize color management in filmmaking.
Academy Digital Preservation Forum
An initiative focused on the preservation of digital cinematic assets.
Academy Film Archive
Preservation and restoration program holding over 250,000 motion picture items, including Oscar-winning and nominated films, and personal collections of renowned filmmakers
Academy Library
Research facility, also known as the Margaret Herrick Library, housing over 52 million items related to film history and accessible to students, scholars, and industry professionals
Academy Library (Margaret Herrick Library)
A research facility dedicated to preserving the art and industry of motion pictures, holding over 52 million items including books, photographs, scripts, and production records, open to the public.
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Public museum offering exhibitions such as the Studio Ghibli’s PONYO deep dive, membership programs, and educational experiences
Governors Awards
Annual ceremony honoring recipients of the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and Honorary Award, selected by the Board of Governors
Science and Technology Council
Strategic advisory body that fosters innovation in filmmaking through research, technological development, and initiatives like the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) and the Academy Digital Preservation Forum
Scientific and Technical Awards
Annual awards honoring individuals and companies for significant and lasting contributions to motion picture technology, including the Scientific and Engineering Award and Technical Achievement Award
Student Academy Awards
International awards program recognizing outstanding student films in Animation, Documentary, Live Action Narrative, and Alternative/Experimental categories
The Oscars (Academy Awards)
Annual awards recognizing excellence in cinematic achievements since 1929.
activities · 16
what they do
direct service · 10
- Administering the Student Academy AwardsHosts an annual international student film awards program across Animation, Documentary, Live Action Narrative, and Alternative/Experimental categories, including organizing the awards ceremony such as the 2025 event held in New York.
- Administers the Academy Awards (Oscars) to recognize excellence in cinematic achievements Film Industry Awards & HonorsRecognizes outstanding achievements in filmmaking annually through the Oscars, including incorporating highlights from the Governors Awards ceremony into the broadcast.
- Hosting Public Exhibitions and Screenings Film and Cinematic Arts PreservationHosts exhibitions featuring rare cinematic artifacts, such as the Studio Ghibli’s PONYO exhibition with over 100 rare objects, and provides public access to curated screenings and displays.
- Hosts public exhibitions on film and animation Film and Cinematic Arts PreservationOrganizes exhibitions featuring rare artifacts from film history, such as the Studio Ghibli’s PONYO exhibition with over 100 objects.
- Hosts the Student Academy Awards programRecognizes outstanding student filmmakers internationally across Animation, Documentary, Live Action Narrative, and Alternative/Experimental categories, with the 2025 ceremony held in New York at the Ziegfeld Ballroom.
- Manages a comprehensive film preservation and vault system Film and Cinematic Arts PreservationHolds and preserves over 250,000 motion picture items, including all Best Picture Oscar winners and Oscar-winning documentaries, as well as personal collections of notable filmmakers like Alfred Hitchcock and Cecil B. DeMille.
- Operates the Academy's archival and research collections Film and Cinematic Arts PreservationPreserves over 52 million items related to motion pictures, including scripts, posters, production records, and costume designs, and provides public access to these materials for researchers and industry professionals.
- Operating the Academy Film Archive and Research Collections Film and Cinematic Arts PreservationPreserves over 52 million items related to motion pictures, including scripts, posters, production records, and costume designs, and holds over 250,000 motion picture items such as all Best Picture Oscar-winning films; also preserves personal collections of notable filmmakers like Alfred Hitchcock and Cecil B. DeMille.
- Presenting the Academy Awards (Oscars) Film Industry Awards & HonorsRecognizes excellence in cinematic achievements through the annual Oscars awards, incorporating highlights from the Governors Awards ceremony into the broadcast.
- Providing Access to Archival and Research MaterialsOffers year-round public access to its research collections for students, scholars, historians, and industry professionals.
research · 3
- Awarding Scientific and Technical Achievements Film Industry Awards & HonorsHonors individuals and organizations for innovations that significantly and lastingly advance motion picture technology through annual Scientific and Technical Awards, a practice ongoing since 1931.
- Confers Scientific and Technical Academy Awards Film Industry Awards & HonorsHonors individuals and organizations for innovations that have significantly and lastingly advanced motion picture technology, with awards presented annually since 1931.
- Leads scientific and technological development initiatives for the film industryDevelops and supports the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES), operates the Digital Preservation Forum, and participates in the Academy Software Foundation to advance open-source tools and best practices in motion picture technology.
capacity building · 3
- Conducting Annual Membership ReviewConducts an annual membership review process each spring to evaluate and manage Academy membership.
- Conducts annual membership review and supports professional development Student Film & Writing CompetitionsManages an annual membership review process and fosters career development for filmmakers, as evidenced by the success of past Student Academy Award winners who have received 70 Oscar nominations and 15 wins.
- Leading Scientific and Technological Development in Film Anti-Piracy Advocacy & EnforcementLeads scientific and technological initiatives for the Academy, including development and support of the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES), operation of the Academy Digital Preservation Forum, and participation in the Academy Software Foundation to advance open-source software for motion picture production.
strategies · 11
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any approach shared with other orgs to see the full field.
- Advancement of Film Technology through Recognition and Collaboration technical_innovation_recognition unique to this orgThe Academy drives technological progress in filmmaking by recognizing scientific and technical innovations through awards and fostering collaborative, membership-driven dialogue, ensuring that technological evolution supports creative storytelling and preserves historical advancements.
- Advancement of Film Technology through Recognition and Collaboration technical_innovation_recognition unique to this orgDrives technological progress in filmmaking by recognizing scientific and technical innovations and fostering collaborative, membership-driven dialogue to align technological development with creative needs.
- Film Preservation and Archival Stewardship film_preservation_and_restoration unique to this orgThe Academy preserves the cultural and artistic heritage of motion pictures through active restoration, documentation, exhibition, and study, supported by a specialized research library dedicated to the history and evolution of filmmaking.
- Institutional Sustainability through Global Engagement revenue diversification and outreach unique to this orgStrengthens long-term institutional resilience by diversifying revenue streams and expanding outreach on a global scale.
- Preservation of Film Art and History film_preservation_and_restoration unique to this orgEnsures the longevity and study of cinematic heritage through comprehensive efforts in preservation, restoration, documentation, and access via a specialized research library.
- Recognition of Excellence and Humanitarian Contributions honorary_awards_recognition unique to this orgThe Academy recognizes excellence in cinematic achievements and exceptional contributions to film through prestigious awards, including the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and Honorary Award, reinforcing high standards in filmmaking and honoring lasting industry impact.
- Recognition of Excellence and Humanitarian Contributions honorary_awards_recognition unique to this orgRecognizes both artistic and humanitarian achievements in film through prestigious honorary awards, reinforcing high standards and celebrating lasting contributions to the industry.
- Strategic Institutional Growth and Membership Integrity revenue diversification and outreach unique to this orgThe Academy ensures institutional sustainability through global revenue diversification and outreach, while maintaining rigorous, multi-stage review processes for membership approval to uphold professional standards and represent diverse branches of the film industry.
- Structured Governance for Membership Integrity branch_committee_review_and_board_approval unique to this orgMaintains the integrity and expertise of membership through a rigorous two-stage review process involving branch committees and Board of Governors approval.
- Support for Emerging Filmmakers emerging_filmmaker_support unique to this orgFosters the next generation of filmmakers by recognizing and promoting student work through an international awards program.
- Support for Emerging Filmmakers emerging_filmmaker_support unique to this orgThe Academy nurtures new talent through international student film awards, providing early-career recognition and encouragement to the next generation of filmmakers.
financials · form 990 · fy2021
the money
revenue
Total revenue$156.53M
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$141.16M90%
Investment income$15.37M10%
Other revenue$3K
expenses
Total expenses$147.35M
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$17.53M
Grants paid out$65.10M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$685.50M
Cash$5.41M
Investments$653.41M
Liabilities$198.35M
Net assets$487.15M
Liquid reserves53.6 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2021 · YoY revenue +16.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021
who runs it
paid leadership · 10
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAWN HUDSON | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 25 | $847K |
| CHRISTINE SIMMONS | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 25 | $532K |
| ANDREW HORN | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 25 | $489K |
| L SCOTT MILLER | GEN. COUNSEL & CHIEF ADMIN OFF | 25 | $431K |
| BEVERLY KITE | CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER | 25 | $395K |
| JENNIFER DAVIDSON | CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER | 45 | $351K |
| TENI MELIDONIAN | EVP - MRKTING. & BRAND STATEGY | 45 | $348K |
| YOLANDA ENAMORADO | SVP - HUMAN RESOURCES | 45 | $347K |
| TODD BARASCH | SVP - BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | 45 | $296K |
| MARYJANE PARTLOW | SVP - OPERATIONS AWARDS & EVEN | 45 | $276K |
board members · 15
- AVA DUVERNAY — GOVERNOR
- BILL CORSO — GOVERNOR
- BONNIE ARNOLD — GOVERNOR
- BROOKE BRETON — GOVERNOR
- CHARLES BERNSTEIN — GOVERNOR
- CHRISTINA KOUNELIAS — GOVERNOR
- CRAIG BARRON — GOVERNOR
- DAVID LINDE — TREASURER (AS OF 08/2021)
- DAVID RUBIN — PRESIDENT
- DEBORAH ZANE — GOVERNOR
- DEVON FRANKLIN — VICE PRESIDENT (AS OF 08/2021)
- DODY DORN — GOVERNOR
- DONNA GIGLIOTTI — SECRETARY (AS OF 08/2021)
- EDUARDO CASTRO — GOVERNOR
- ELLEN KURAS — GOVERNOR
relationships · 18
who they work with
- AEG Partner — Global partnership with AEG to expand reach and programming
- Academy Collection Network — Core component of the Academy Collection
- Academy Software Foundation Partner — Collaborates with the Academy Software Foundation to support open-source software for motion picture production.
- Alfred Hitchcock Partner — Preserves the personal film collection of filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock.
- Barbara Hammer Partner — Preserves the personal film collection of filmmaker Barbara Hammer.
- Board of Governors Government — Confers the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and Honorary Award.
- Cecil B. DeMille Partner — Preserves the personal film collection of filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille.
- Fred Zinnemann Partner — Preserves the personal film collection of filmmaker Fred Zinnemann.
- George Stevens Partner — Preserves the personal film collection of filmmaker George Stevens.
- Gus Van Sant Partner — Preserves the personal film collection of filmmaker Gus Van Sant.
- Jim Jarmusch Partner — Preserves the personal film collection of filmmaker Jim Jarmusch.
- Penelope Spheeris Partner — Preserves the personal film collection of filmmaker Penelope Spheeris.
- Representation and Inclusion Standards Partner — Implements representation and inclusion standards for award eligibility.
- Rolex Partner — Partnered with the Academy to present the 2025 Student Academy Awards ceremony.
- Studio Ghibli Partner — Collaborates on an exhibition featuring the film PONYO and related artifacts
- Tacita Dean Partner — Preserves the personal film collection of artist and filmmaker Tacita Dean.
- The Linux Foundation Government — Engages with The Linux Foundation through its participation in the Academy Software Foundation.
- submissions.oscars.org Partner — Platform used for receiving submissions for the Scientific and Technical Awards.