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Free Spirit Media Nfp

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 364456215 ✦ Chicago, IL ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Free Spirit Media Nfp?

Free Spirit Media Nfp is a nonprofit organization situated in Chicago, Illinois, specifically at 906 S HOMAN AVENUE. Their primary mission is to empower emerging creators, primarily from communities of color, by offering them the chance to produce and distribute original content. This nonprofit organization runs a year-long program called Labs, which teaches high school-aged young people from the West and South sides of Chicago various media-making techniques, such as storytelling, camera operation, audio engineering, performance, writing, editing, and photography. Free Spirit Media Nfp operates from two media labs in North Lawndale and Greater Grand Crossing, serving as hubs for young creators in these communities. With a workforce of 61 individuals, this nonprofit organization strives to help these young people pursue their artistic, personal, and professional aspirations while transforming media and society.


Official website here: www.freespiritmedia.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator Rating: 91%, Four-Star out of Four Star rating.

Free Spirit Media Nfp has received a commendable score of 91%, indicating a strong performance in both accountability and community engagement. The organization boasts an impressive Accountability & Finance score of 90%, highlighting its transparency and sound financial management practices, including a fully independent board of directors and solid auditing measures.

In terms of community involvement, Free Spirit Media excels with a Culture & Community score of 97%, reflecting its commitment to fostering a supportive environment. The charity’s policies regarding conflict of interest, whistleblower protections, and document management are well-established, which contributes to its overall integrity and operational effectiveness.

While the program expense ratio is moderately lower at 65.19%, this indicates that a significant portion of its funding is directed towards its mission-driven activities. Overall, Free Spirit Media Nfp demonstrates a strong commitment to both its financial responsibilities and its mission, making it a trustworthy organization for potential donors and stakeholders.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.

What do the Facebook reviews say about Free Spirit Media Nfp?

98% of 27 reviewers on Facebook recommend Free Spirit Media Nfp. Here is a summary of their reviews:

The organization is praised for its impactful efforts in empowering youth, which many believe contributes positively to the entire community. Reviewers express admiration for the work being done and highlight its importance in fostering personal and professional development among young individuals.

Overall, there seems to be a strong consensus around the value and effectiveness of the nonprofit's programs, with users feeling positively about the contributions being made to youth empowerment and community enrichment.


This AI summary has been generated from reviews found on Facebook.

Is Free Spirit Media Nfp legitimate?

Free Spirit Media Nfp is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Free Spirit Media Nfp submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $112,561
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $560,076

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.freespiritmedia.org

What is the mission statement of Free Spirit Media Nfp?

Free Spirit Media NFP transforms media and society by offering opportunities for emerging creators primarily from communities of color. They enable these creators to produce and distribute original content, thereby fostering artistic, personal, and professional aspirations. Through their programs, such as the Teen Labs on the South and West sides of Chicago, high school-aged individuals enhance their skills in storytelling, camera operation, audio engineering, performance, writing, editing, and photography, utilizing media as a means to express their unique voices and perspectives.


Official website here: www.freespiritmedia.org

Who is the CEO of Free Spirit Media Nfp?

Aurora Toshiko King is the Executive Dir. of Free Spirit Media Nfp.


Official website here: www.freespiritmedia.org

What is the revenue of Free Spirit Media Nfp?

Free Spirit Media Nfp's revenue in 2022 was $1,113,453.


Official website here: www.freespiritmedia.org

Who are the executives of Free Spirit Media Nfp and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Free Spirit Media Nfp during 2022 was $11,027. There are 61 employees and 12 volunteers at Free Spirit Media Nfp.


Here are 13 key members and their salaries:


Aurora Toshiko King (Executive Dir.)
  • Compensation: $112,561
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Melissa Thornley (President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Qadree Holmes (Vice President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Natasha Walker (Vice President)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Eric Schnabel (Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Meg Manda Hayes (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jonathan Desir (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Stacey Bolton (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Dani Jackson (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Anedra Kerr (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Keith Jamerson (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Anthony Scott (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Johnny Jones (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0


Official website here: www.freespiritmedia.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Free Spirit Media Nfp?

Free Spirit Media Nfp's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.freespiritmedia.org

Learn more at the official website: www.freespiritmedia.org

Mission Statement of Free Spirit Media Nfp

Free Spirit Media NFP transforms media and society by offering opportunities for emerging creators, predominantly from communities of color, to produce and distribute original content. Their mission is to empower these creators to pursue their artistic, personal, and professional aspirations. By providing these resources, Free Spirit Media NFP aims to contribute to the transformation of media and society, allowing underrepresented voices to be heard and represented.

The organization achieves this mission through various programs, one of which is the Teen Labs Program. This program is designed for high school-aged young creators and provides them with a platform to explore media making techniques. Over the course of a year-long program, these young creators develop skills in storytelling, camera operation, audio engineering, performance, writing, editing, and photography. The program is based at two media labs, located in North Lawndale and Greater Grand Crossing, which serve as hubs for young people living on both the West and South sides of Chicago. Through these programs, Free Spirit Media NFP enables emerging creators to share their stories and perspectives, contributing to a more diverse and inclusive media landscape.

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Impact




October, 2024

Free Spirit Media has a profound impact on the media landscape and the lives of young creators, particularly those from communities of color. By providing platforms for emerging voices, the organization empowers high school-aged individuals to explore and develop their storytelling abilities through various media-making techniques.

Through programs such as After School Teen Labs, young creators engage in hands-on experiences in storytelling, camera operation, audio engineering, performance, writing, editing, and photography. This not only nurtures their artistic talents but also helps them articulate their unique perspectives and experiences. Operating out of media labs in North Lawndale and Greater Grand Crossing, these hubs serve as safe and creative spaces for youth on Chicago's West and South sides.

The development of skills in media production opens doors for participants to pursue their artistic, personal, and professional aspirations, fostering a sense of agency and confidence. As these young creators bring their narratives to the forefront, they contribute to a more diverse and inclusive media landscape, challenging stereotypes and enriching society's understanding of different cultures and experiences. Through its initiatives, Free Spirit Media is not just transforming individual lives; it is also reshaping the overall narrative within the media industry, advocating for greater representation and dialogue through the voices of tomorrow.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Free Spirit Media Nfp. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$1,113,453 (2022)
Expenses
$1,302,293 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Investment Income: $1,612
  • Program Service Revenue: $131,773
  • Gross Receipts: $1,113,453

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $719,124
  • Total Liabilities: $33,085
  • Net Assets: $686,039

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Programs

Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

CONTRACTED SERVICES

Revenue

$131,773

Organization Details

Founding Year

2001

Principal Officer

Aurora Toshiko King

Main Address

906 S HOMAN AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL, 60624

NTEE Category

Code: O50 - Youth development

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