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Nonprofit · EIN 45-4587107

BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY INC

Tax-exempt · WASHINGTON, DC 20016

Financials

$11M$13.3M2023$9.5M$14.2M2024$9.9M$11.7M2025
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY INC by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2025990$9,876,301$11,715,776-$1,839,475$20,131,014$12,639$20,118,375
December 31, 2024990$9,536,917$14,241,451-$4,704,534$22,940,273$3,104$22,937,169
December 31, 2023990$11,000,879$13,274,082-$2,273,203$27,649,766$21,363$27,628,403
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$9,153,992
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$698,202
Net gain from sales of assets
$219,595
Other revenue
$24,107

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$9,516,941
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$507,070
Other salaries and wages
$520,053
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$1,200,077
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$18,110
Accounting fees
$38,664
Occupancy
$3,581
Travel
$179,395
Depreciation
$5,101
Program services (functional)
$10,514,040
Management and general (functional)
$820,347
Fundraising (functional)
$381,389

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$22,940,273
Total assets, end of year
$20,131,014
Total liabilities, end of year
$12,639
Net assets, end of year
$20,118,375
Land, buildings and equipment
$12,586
Publicly traded securities
$5,254,628
Net assets without donor restrictions
$11,393,485
Net assets with donor restrictions
$8,724,890
Gross receipts
$25,692,430
Employees
7
Volunteers
30
Year formed
2011
State of legal domicile
DE

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
KATHERINE MALONE-FRANCEPRESIDENT AND CEO
Officer
40$288,750$43,150
BEE NANCECFAO
Officer
30$141,581$33,589
REBECCA DANIELSSR DIR, PHILANTHROPIC OPS & PLAN
Highest-paid employee
40$120,000$20,928
BOBBY STEINCHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
4$0$0
PHIL KENTVICE CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
4$0$0
MEREDITH DEWITTSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
4$0$0
GREG LAUTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
4$0$0
HAL BRIERLEYMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
PATRICK BUTLERMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
NANCY J CABLEMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JOSEPH EVANGELISTIMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
GREG GOLKINMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
CAPPY MCGARRMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
MICHAEL MULLENMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
ERIC OBENGMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
6 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
LAURA ROOSEVELTMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0
JASON SCHLESINGERMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0
PETER THORENMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0
BRIAN CONWAYMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0
TRACY FRISTMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0
LARRY WASSERMANMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 20 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
KATHERINE MALONE-FRANCEPRESIDENT AND CEO
Officer
40$284,167$38,125
REBECCA DANIELSSR DIR, PHILANTHROPIC OPS & PLAN
Highest-paid employee
40$106,722$19,056
BEE NANCECFAO - AS OF 8/2024
Officer
40$53,426$6,155
BOBBY STEINCHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
4$0$0
PHIL KENTVICE CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
4$0$0
MEREDITH DEWITTSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
4$0$0
GREG LAUTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
4$0$0
HAL BRIERLEYMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
PATRICK BUTLERMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
NANCY J CABLEMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JOSEPH EVANGELISTIMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
GREG GOLKINMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
CAPPY MCGARRMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
MICHAEL MULLENMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
ERIC OBENGMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
LAURA ROOSEVELTMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JASON SCHLESINGERMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
PETER THORENMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
BRIAN CONWAYMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
TRACY FRISKMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 23 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
AMY MARGERUM BERGPRESIDENT - UNTIL 12/2023
Officer
20$150,000$0
KATHERINE MALONE-FRANCEPRESIDENT AND CEO
Officer
40$103,125$5,161
COURTNEY CHAPINEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - UNTIL 03/2023
Officer
40$51,975$9,185
BOBBY STEINCHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
4$0$0
MEREDITH DEWITTSECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
4$0$0
JOHN FULLERTONTREASURER
Trustee or director, Officer
4$0$0
HAL BRIERLEYMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
PATRICK BUTLERMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
NANCY J CABLEMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JOHN DEBSMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JOSEPH EVANGELISTIMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
ANTHONY FOXXMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
GREG GOLKINMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
PHIL KENTMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
GREG LAUMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
BONNIE MCCLOSKEYMEMBER - UNTIL 04/2023
Trustee or director
2$0$0
CAPPY MCGARRMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
MICHAEL MULLENMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
ERIC OBENGMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
DAVID PFEILMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
LAURA ROOSEVELTMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
JASON SCHLESINGERMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0
PETER THORENMEMBER
Trustee or director
2$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
5185 MACARTHUR BLVD, WASHINGTON, DC 20016-3341
In care of
% COURTNEY CHAPIN
Principal officer (990 for 2025)
KATHERINE MALONE-FRANCE, 5185 MACARTHUR BOULEVARD 570, WASHINGTON, DC 20016
Signed the 990
KATHERINE MALONE-FRANCE, PRESIDENT AND CEO
Phone
(202) 809-9976
Return prepared by
CBIZ ADVISORS LLC

Mission

THE BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY SUPPORTS OUTSTANDING AMERICAN HISTORY DOCUMENTARIES TO INSPIRE LIFELONG LEARNING, PROMOTE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND ENCOURAGE CIVIL DISCOURSE.THE ORGANIZATION ADVANCES THIS MISSION BY RAISING FUNDS TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL DOCUMENTARY FILMS FOCUSED ON U.S. HISTORY AND CHARACTERIZED BY THOROUGH ARCHIVAL RESEARCH AND ENGAGING STORYTELLING; AWARDING THE ANNUAL LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LAVINE/KEN BURNS PRIZE FOR FILM AND BETTER ANGELS LAVINE FELLOWSHIP TO PROVIDE RESOURCES, RECOGNITION, AND MENTORSHIP TO OUTSTANDING U.S. HISTORY DOCUMENTARIES; AND CREATING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS TO ENGAGE YOUNG PEOPLE IN MAKING DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT U.S. HISTORY TO BUILD SKILLS IN CRITICAL THINKING, COMMUNICATIONS, RESEARCH, HISTORY, AND CIVICS.

990 for the year ended December 31, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • THE BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY PROVIDED $9,066,941 IN FUNDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION, AND ASSOCIATED EDUCATIONAL AND ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS FOR DOCUMENTARY FILMS THAT FOCUSED ON U.S. HISTORY, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE BROADCAST FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND WIDELY AVAILABLE TO MILLIONS OF AMERICANS. IN 2025, THESE FILMS INCLUDED THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, CENTRAL PARK, CRIME & PUNISHMENT IN AMERICA, EMANCIPATION TO EXODUS, HENRY DAVID THOREAU, INSIDE THE OVAL: DECISIONS OF CONSEQUENCE, LBJ & THE GREAT SOCIETY, AND W.E.B. DU BOIS. THROUGH THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LAVINE/KEN BURNS PRIZE FOR FILM, THE SOCIETY PROVIDED SUPPORT AND NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR OUTSTANDING AMERICAN HISTORY DOCUMENTARIES, SELECTED BY PEER REVIEWERS AND JURIES WITH EXPERTISE IN FILMMAKING, ARCHIVAL RESOURCES, AND U.S. HISTORY.
    Expenses $9,501,700 · grants $9,066,941
  • IN 2025, THE BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY PROVIDED $450,000 TO SUPPORT TRAINING, NETWORKING, AND MENTORSHIP TO ENSURE THAT THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED AND ENGAGING DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT AMERICAN HISTORY CONTINUE TO BE CREATED. THE SOCIETY LED THE FIFTH YEAR OF THE BETTER ANGELS LAVINE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM, A MENTORING PROGRAM FOR DOCUMENTARIES-IN-PROCESS, SELECTED FROM APPLICANTS FOR THE PRIZE FOR FILM. THE SOCIETY ALSO SUPPORTED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT BUILD JUNIOR HIGH, HIGH SCHOOL, AND COLLEGE-AGE STUDENTS' SKILLS IN CRITICAL THINKING, HISTORY, CIVICS, RESEARCH, AND COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE PROCESS OF MAKING DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. THESE PROGRAMS, IN COLLABORATION WITH NATIONAL HISTORY DAY AND THE LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION, PROVIDED FREE TRAINING SESSIONS, MENTORSHIP FROM EXPERTS IN HISTORICAL RESEARCH AND FILMMAKING, AND PUBLIC RECOGNITION TO PROMOTE OUTSTANDING AMERICAN HISTORY DOCUMENTARIES AND INSPIRE PARTICIPATION IN THIS DISCIPLINE. THE SOCIETY ALSO PROVIDED SUPPORT TO FILM FESTIVALS TO HIGHLIGHT OUTSTANDING HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARIES, ENCOURAGE CIVIL DISCOURSE RELATED TO THEM, AND ENCOURAGE BEST PRACTICES IN THEIR CREATION.
    Expenses $1,012,340 · grants $450,000

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026990 on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
45-4587107
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
2013
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$20,131,014
Income (IRS master file)
$25,692,430

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2025$9,876,301$11,715,776$20,131,014XML
990December 2024$9,536,917$14,241,451$22,940,273XML
990December 2023$11,000,879$13,274,082$27,649,766XML
990December 2022$9,108,547$10,742,249$29,814,085IRS
990December 2021–––IRS
990December 2020–––IRS
990December 2019–––IRS
990December 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 45-4587107).

Questions about BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY INC

What is the EIN of BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY INC?
The employer identification number (EIN) of BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY INC is 45-4587107.
Is BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY INC tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2013.
Are donations to BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY INC tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY INC file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY INC due?
The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY INC last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
Who is the principal officer of BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY INC?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names KATHERINE MALONE-FRANCE.
Who are the officers and directors of BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY INC?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 21 people; 3 received compensation from the organization, the highest $288,750 (KATHERINE MALONE-FRANCE, PRESIDENT AND CEO).
How much revenue does BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY INC have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $9,876,301, expenses of $11,715,776 and total assets of $20,131,014 at year end.

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