2021-04-20T17:05:57-05:00 2020-12-31 111986323 MARCUM LLP 1899 L STREET NW 850 WASHINGTON DC 20036 990 2020-01-01 454587107 THE BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY INC BETT 2026544204 5185 MACARTHUR BOULEVARD NO 570 WASHINGTON DC 20016 COURTNEY CHAPIN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2026544204 2021-04-20 1 COURTNEY CHAPIN 999009999 FRANK H SMITH P00639053 2028225000 3 AAL1 IAL1 2020 2022-09-23 18:48:47Z X AMY MARGERUM BERG 5185 MACARTHUR BOULEVARD NO 570 WASHINGTON DC 20016 28826463 0 X WWW.THEBETTERANGELSSOCIETY.ORG X 2011 DE ENSURE HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY FILMS ARE FUNDED/SHARED THRU EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH & CIVIC DISCOURSE. 18 18 6 26 0 0 20178222 13003443 0 0 178074 129185 0 667 20356296 13133295 8887187 13014967 0 0 546498 546866 0 0 220591 952909 816762 10386594 14378595 9969702 -1245300 30635915 29324402 158188 19777 30477727 29304625 X THE BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY'S (THE SOCIETY) MISSION IS TO SUPPORT AMERICAN DEMOCRACY BY ENSURING HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT DOCUMENTARY FILMS ARE FUNDED, BROADCAST ON PUBLIC TELEVISION AND PROMOTED AND SHARED TO REACH AND INFORM THE PUBLIC THROUGH EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH AND CIVIC DISCOURSE. THE SOCIETY ALSO RECOGNIZES AND SUPPORTS DOCUMENTARY FILM ARTISTS THROUGH ITS LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LAVINE/KEN BURNS PRIZE FOR FILM ANNUAL AMERICAN HISTORY DOCUMENTARY CONTEST, WHICH AWARDS ONE WINNER, ONE RUNNER-UP AND UP TO FOUR FINALISTS FUNDING FOR LATE-STAGE PRODUCTION COSTS, DISTRIBUTION AND OUTREACH; BETTER ANGELS FELLOWSHIP, WHICH FUNDS A MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR PROMISING FILMMAKERS, AND THE NEXT GENERATION ANGELS AWARDS, WHICH RECOGNIZES EXCELLENCE IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL-AGED STUDENT AMERICAN HISTORY DOCUMENATRY FILMMAKING. 0 0 11258722 11198308 FILM PRODUCTION, OUTREACH, AND EDUCATION - THE SOCIETY PROVIDED OVER $10.8 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR THE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTARY FILMS FOCUSING ON AMERICAN HISTORY, WHICH ARE BROADCAST FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND WIDELY AVAILABLE ON PBS TELEVISION STATIONS AND PBS DIGITAL PLATFORMS FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS. IN 2020, THE SOCIETY COMPLETED FUNDRAISING FOR THE DOCUMENTARY FILM "HEMINGWAY" WHICH WILL BE RELEASED IN THE SPRING OF 2021 AND "BENJAMIN FRANKLIN" WITH A RELEASE DATE TO BE DETERMINED. THE SOCIETY ALSO MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS TO SUPPORT THE NEXT TEN YEARS OF DOCUMENTARY FILM PROJECTS AND THE RELATED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND PUBLIC PROGRAMMING. 1515522 1421659 OTHER EDUCATION INITIATIVES - GRANTS TOTALING $1.4 MILLION WERE MADE BY THE SOCIETY TO HELP LOCAL PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS DEVELOP AND DISTRIBUTE COMPANION TEACHING MATERIALS RELATED TO HISTORY-BASED DOCUMENTARY FILMS. THESE RESOURCES ARE USED PRIMARILY BY MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. IN 2020, THE SOCIETY ENGAGED DIRECTLY WITH PBS TO SUPPORT PBS'S INCORPORATION OF FILMS FUNDED BY THE SOCIETY INTO THEIR ON-LINE SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHER RESOURCE PORTAL. THE SOCIETY ALSO CONTINUED TO PROVIDE STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND FUNDING FOR PBS'S UNUM, A WEBSITE AND DIGITAL RESOURCE FOR USE BY HISTORY RESEARCHERS, EDUCATORS, AND STUDENTS OF ALL AGES. 746335 395000 LEGACY - IN 2020, THE SOCIETY AGAIN AWARDED THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LAVINE/KEN BURNS PRIZE FOR FILM TO SUPPORT AMERICAN HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING AND ENCOURAGE A GROWING COMUNITY OF DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING WORKING ON BRINGING AMERICA'S STORIES TO LIGHT. IT ESTABLISHED THE BETTER ANGELS FELLOWSHIP, A MENTORING PROGRAM FOR PROMISING FILMMAKERS WHOSE FILMS WERE NOT SELECTED AS FINALISTS FOR THIS PRIZE BUT DEMONSTRATE THE POTENTIAL FOR EXCELLENCE. IN ADDITION, THE SOCIETY RECOGNIZED NEXT GENERATION ANGELS, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO HAVE DEVELOPED HISTORY DOCUMENTARY FILMS, THROUGH ITS AWARDS PROGRAM. THE SOCIETY CONTINUED TO BUILD A PARTNERSHIP WITH GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY TO ADVANCE THE USE OF HISTORY DOCUMENTARY FILMS IN HIGHER EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS. 13520579 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 23 0 1 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 18 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 AK AL AR CA CO CT FL GA HI IL KS KY MA MD MI MN MS NC NH NJ NM NY OH OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WI WV X COURTNEY CHAPIN 2028099976 5185 MACARTHUR BOULEVARD NO 570 WASHINGTON DC 20016 COURTNEY CHAPIN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 178909 0 33935 AMY MARGERUM BERG PRESIDENT 20.00 X 150000 0 0 BOBBY STEIN CHAIR 4.00 X X 0 0 0 RONALD MOULTRIE SECRETARY 4.00 X X 0 0 0 JOHN FULLERTON TREASURER 4.00 X X 0 0 0 DON BAER MEMBER - UNTIL 6/2020 2.00 X 0 0 0 HAL BRIERLEY MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 PATRICK BUTLER MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 NANCY J CABLE MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN DEBS MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 MEREDITH DEWITT MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 GREG GOLKIN MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 PHIL KENT MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 JEANNIE LAVINE MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 CAPPY MCGARR MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 MICHAEL MULLEN MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 DAVID PFEIL MEMBER 6.00 X 0 0 0 LAURA ROOSEVELT MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 JASON SCHLESINGER MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 MICHELLE SMITH MEMBER - UNTIL 9/2020 2.00 X 0 0 0 PETER THOREN MEMBER 2.00 X 0 0 0 328909 0 33935 2 0 1 0 JONATHAN D DAVIS PC 10 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA SUITE 1015 NEW YORK NY 10020 LEGAL SERVICES 164931 SHACKELFORD BOWEN MCKINLEY & NORTON 9201 N CENTRAL EXPY 4TH FL DALLAS TX 75231 LEGAL SERVICES 106878 2 79744 12923699 13003443 115190 115190 15707163 15693168 13995 13995 13995 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 667 667 667 13133295 0 0 129852 13014967 13014967 362844 178991 57568 126285 132381 39224 56319 36838 1969 871 1098 14955 358 9553 5044 34717 12641 10770 11306 260974 260974 63089 63089 17839 17839 295326 238224 57102 30024 30024 11485 8302 3183 16254 3150 9699 3405 29835 29835 10172 5086 5086 35348 3000 16940 15408 10240 10240 OTHER EXPENSES 22673 22673 REGISTRATION FEES 13503 565 12938 14378595 13520579 637425 220591 42531 318887 10245204 7972245 16486228 16980662 0 12000 38516 14527 184544 156857 57569 27687 3765867 3998394 30635915 29324402 158188 16971 0 2806 158188 19777 X 8660660 9395935 21817067 19908690 30477727 29304625 30635915 29324402 -1245300 72198 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 5919905 15644637 9450659 20178222 13003443 64196866 5919905 15644637 9450659 20178222 13003443 64196866 28572350 35624516 71817 88132 147148 193020 115190 615307 388 169 346 667 1570 64813743 0.54960 0.61770 X SCHEDULE A, PART II, LINE 10, EXPLANATION OF OTHER INCOME: MISCELLANEOUS - 2016 AMOUNT: $ 388. 2017 AMOUNT: $ 169. 2018 AMOUNT: $ 346. 2019 AMOUNT: $ 0. 2020 AMOUNT: $ 667. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 15464 8617 6847 169080 148240 20840 27687 X 13280654 72198 93000 165198 13115456 17839 17839 13133295 14453756 93000 93000 14360756 17839 17839 14378595 PART X, LINE 2: THE SOCIETY PERFORMED AN EVALUATION OF UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020, AND DETERMINED THAT THERE ARE NO MATTERS THAT WOULD REQUIRE RECOGNITION IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OR THAT MAY HAVE ANY EFFECT ON ITS TAX-EXEMPT STATUS. 1 GREATER WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION INC 3939 CAMPBELL AVENUE ARLINGTON VA 22206 530242992 501(C)(3) 11088222 SUPPORT FOR FILMS, OUTREACH, EDUCATION PBS FOUNDATION 1225 SOUTH CLARK STREET ARLINGTON VA 22202 201476451 501(C)(3) 306659 GRANT TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES SKIFF MOUNTAIN FILMS 800 WEST END AVENUE SUITE 6B NEW YORK NY 10025 464453175 N/A 216000 SUPPORT FOR FILMS, OUTREACH, EDUCATION LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 101 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE SE WASHINGTON DC 20540 536002532 N/A 200000 SUPPORT FOR LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LAVINE/KEN BURNS PRIZE FOR FILM STORY CENTER FILMS LLC 2434 ONTARIO ROAD NW SUITE 4 WASHINGTON DC 20009 N/A 50000 LOC/LAVINE KEN BURNS PRIZE PRIZE AWARD GURLAND DOCUMENTARIES LLC 170 W 78TH STREET SUITE AA NEW YORK NY 10024 N/A 25000 LOC/LAVINE KEN BURNS PRIZE PRIZE AWARD HISTORY MAKING PRODUCTIONS LLC 325 WEST ALLENS LANE PHILADELPHIA PA 19199 262823347 N/A 25000 LOC/LAVINE KEN BURNS PRIZE PRIZE AWARD MONIKER LLC 1844 BALBOA STREET SAN FRANCISCO CA 94121 833434047 N/A 25000 LOC/LAVINE KEN BURNS PRIZE PRIZE AWARD TALL GRASS EDUCATIONAL FILMS INC 2248 W FARRAGUT AVE CHICAGO IL 60625 814594725 501(C)(3) 25000 LOC/LAVINE KEN BURNS PRIZE PRIZE AWARD NATIONAL HISTORY DAY 4511 KNOX ROAD SUITE 205 COLLEGE PARK MD 20740 341262642 501(C)(3) 20000 SUPPORT FOR NEXT GENERATION ANGELS 5 5 PART I, LINE 2: THE SOCIETY MEETS WITH THE GREATER WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION, INC. (WETA) MONTHLY TO REVIEW THE PROJECTS BEING FUNDED; WETA REPORTS MONTHLY ON THE BUDGET FOR THESE PROJECTS AND OTHER FUNDS RAISED TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT. FOR THE OTHER GRANTS, THE SOCIETY REVIEWS THE BUDGETS FOR THESE PROJECTS MONTHLY AND REQUIRES, AT A MINIMUM, ANNUAL PROJECT UPDATES TO ENSURE FUNDS ARE BEING USED APPROPRIATELY AND ON SCHEDULE. X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 COURTNEY CHAPIN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 178909 0 0 0 0 0 17890 0 16045 0 212844 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE DRAFT VERSION OF THE FEDERAL FORM 990 IS FIRST REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND PRESIDENT, AND THEN PROVIDED TO EACH MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. EACH MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD IS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW BEFORE FILING WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C BOARD MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE ANY CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN WRITING ANNUALLY. THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD CHAIR ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. IF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS, THE BOARD MEMBER IS RECUSED FROM DECISION MAKING ON THAT MATTER. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 COMPENSATION OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ARE SET BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND REVIEWED PERIODICALLY. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DETERMINES THE COMPENSATION INTERNALLY BASED ON THE HISTORICAL AND THE COMPARABLE COMPENSATION DATA. THE LAST COMPENSATION REVIEW WAS CONDUCTED IN DECEMBER 2016. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE SOCIETY MAKES ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST.