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Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation

CharityWatch rating issued
April 2025

C-
CharityWatch Rating
This rating has been downgraded from B+ due to the charity having 4.6 years worth of available assets in reserve.
 
77%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$21
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Large Asset Reserves

CharityWatch reduces the grade of any charity that has available assets equal to three to five years of operating expenses. Charities with "years of available assets" of more than five years receive an "F" grade regardless of other measurements. In CharityWatch's view, a reserve of less than three years is reasonable and does not affect a charity's grade. These reductions in grades are based solely on the charities' asset reserves as compared to budget. The CharityWatch definition of "years of available assets" includes funds currently available for the charity's use, including investments that the charity has set aside as a reserve but could choose to spend if it wanted to do so. Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation's letter grade rating has been downgraded because it has 3 or more years of available assets.

See Our Process to learn more about how CharityWatch considers a charity’s asset reserves and the High Asset List for a list of charities whose ratings have been reduced due to high assets.

Contact Information

Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation
2233 N. Ontario St.
Suite 300
Burbank, CA 91504

Other Names

Brave Beginnings
Pioneers Assistance Fund
Will Rogers Institute

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

To perpetuate the legacy of Will Rogers through the works of three programs: Brave Beginnings, the Will Rogers Institute, and the Pioneers Assistance Fund.

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Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 03/31/2024

Program Percentage: 77%

The percentage of Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$2,500,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $21

How many dollars Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$1,300,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation Audited Financial Statements 15-0533551
Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation IRS Form 990 15-0533551
Entity: Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 15-0533551
Entity: Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 15-0533551

Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation
does not meet transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy No Sharing  

  Name Title Compensation
1 Christina Blumer Executive Director $186,373
2 Samantha E. Stepleton Director of Social Services $138,344
1
Name: Christina Blumer
Title: Executive Director
Compensation: $186,373
2
Name: Samantha E. Stepleton
Title: Director of Social Services
Compensation: $138,344

CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

According to the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation (the Foundation) tax filing for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the Foundation reports re: Compensation (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part II):

The Foundation reports providing "bonus & incentive compensation" in the amount of $17,500 to Christina Blumer, Executive Director, during 2023. Blumer's associated total reported compensation was $186,373 during the period. 


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