ISTHMUS COMMUNITY MEDIA INC

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Cite this

Plain text ISTHMUS COMMUNITY MEDIA INC. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2020–2024. https://furp.org/org/isthmus-community-media-inc-852868484. Retrieved 2026-11-09.

APA furp.org. (n.d.). ISTHMUS COMMUNITY MEDIA INC [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2020–2024]. Retrieved November 9, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/isthmus-community-media-inc-852868484

MLA “ISTHMUS COMMUNITY MEDIA INC.” furp.org, tax years 2020–2024, https://furp.org/org/isthmus-community-media-inc-852868484. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-11-09; covers tax years 2020–2024. Data: furp.org (index © the FURP Alliance; the records are public domain).

2024 · Form 990 · revenue $681K · expenses $656K · assets $223K

EIN
85-2868484
Address
529 S RANDALL AVE, MADISON, WI 53715-1653
Website
HTTPS://ISTHMUS.COM
NTEE code
A30 Media, Communications Organizations (Arts, Culture and Humanities) published (IRS Business Master File)
Exempt type
501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
Ruling date
March 2021 (when the IRS recognized its exemption)
IRS status
Exempt (unconditional) (IRS Business Master File) IRS data ↗
Tax-deductible donations
Yes: listed in IRS Publication 78 (public charity) Pub 78 ↗
Foundation status
Public charity supported by the public (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))
Cross-check
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

Mission

ISTHMUS SERVES THE MADISON COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING INDEPENDENT TRUSTED LOCAL JOURNALISM. WE STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY BY HELPING TO CREATE AN INFORMED CITIZENRY.

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).

People paid by the organization

1 person paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsLatest year payTotal pay from hereOrganizations
Judith Davidoff PRESIDENT/EDITOR2020-2024 $60,000$215,000 1

Officers and directors, no compensation reported

14 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.

NameLatest titleYearsHrs/wk (latest)CompensationOrganizations
Jason Stephens DIRECTOR2024 2 $0 reported 1
Kirsten Houghton TREASURER2022-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Dan Koehn VICE-PRESIDENT2021-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Ralph Russo DIRECTOR2020-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Taylor Kilgore SECRETARY2022-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Michael Wagner DIRECTOR2022-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Molly Stentz DIRECTOR2020-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Jill Pedigo Hall DIRECTOR2022-2024 2 $0 reported 1
Ted Dedee DIRECTOR2024 2 $0 reported 1
Linda Falkenstein (former) DIRECTOR2022-2023 2 $0 reported 1
Masood Akhtar (former) DIRECTOR2021-2022 2 $0 reported 1
Dylan Brogan (former) DIRECTOR2020-2021 2 $0 reported 1
Michael Cummins (former) TREASURER2020-2021 2 $0 reported 1
Sue Robinson (former) Director2020 2 $0 reported 1

People by year

2024 · 10 people listed · 1 paid, $60K · 9 employees · 9 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
JUDITH DAVIDOFF PRESIDENT/EDITOR50 $60,000$0$0 $60,0001
JASON STEPHENS DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
KIRSTEN HOUGHTON TREASURER2 $0$0$0 $01
DAN KOEHN VICE-PRESIDENT2 $0$0$0 $01
RALPH RUSSO DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
TAYLOR KILGORE SECRETARY2 $0$0$0 $01
MICHAEL WAGNER DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
MOLLY STENTZ DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
JILL PEDIGO HALL DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
TED DEDEE DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
2023 · 9 people listed · 1 paid, $60K · 7 employees · 8 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
JUDITH DAVIDOFF PRESIDENT/EDITOR70 $60,000$0$0 $60,0001
LINDA FALKENSTEIN DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
KIRSTEN HOUGHTON TREASURER2 $0$0$0 $01
DAN KOEHN VICE-PRESIDENT2 $0$0$0 $01
RALPH RUSSO DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
TAYLOR KILGORE SECRETARY2 $0$0$0 $01
MICHAEL WAGNER DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
MOLLY STENTZ DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
JILL PEDIGO HALL DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
2022 · 10 people listed · 1 paid, $60K · 6 employees · 9 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
JUDITH DAVIDOFF PRESIDENT/EDITOR70 $60,000$0$0 $60,0001
MASOOD AKHTAR DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
LINDA FALKENSTEIN DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
KIRSTEN HOUGHTON TREASURER2 $0$0$0 $01
DAN KOEHN VICE-PRESIDENT2 $0$0$0 $01
RALPH RUSSO DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
TAYLOR KILGORE SECRETARY2 $0$0$0 $01
MICHAEL WAGNER DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
MOLLY STENTZ DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
JILL PEDIGO HALL DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
2021 · 7 people listed · 1 paid, $35K · 5 employees · 6 volunteers
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
JUDITH DAVIDOFF PRESIDENT/EDITOR70 $35,000$0$0 $35,0001
MASOOD AKHTAR DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
DYLAN BROGAN DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
MICHAEL CUMMINS TREASURER2 $0$0$0 $01
DAN KOEHN DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
RALPH RUSSO DIRECTOR2 $0$0$0 $01
MOLLY STENTZ SECRETARY2 $0$0$0 $01
2020 · 6 people listed · none paid
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
Judith Davidoff President2 $0-- $01
Michael Cummins Treasurer10 $0-- $01
Molly Stentz Secretary2 $0-- $01
Sue Robinson Director2 $0-- $01
Ralph Russo Director2 $0-- $01
Dylan Brogan Director2 $0-- $01

Highest-paid independent contractors

No independent contractors reported.

Who gave

Contributor names are not public for this form type.

Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.

Finances

Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.

RevenueExpensesAssetsNet assetsContributionsProgram revenueOfficer payEmployeesVolunteers
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2024-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$680,578$656,024 $222,953$207,454 $252,653$427,925 $60,00099
2023 · Form 990 period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$663,159$655,558 $207,209$182,900 $283,661$379,452 $60,00078
2022 · Form 990 period ending 2022-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$603,061$564,552 $199,426$175,299 $248,950$346,136 $60,00069
2021 · Form 990 period ending 2021-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$389,489$329,005 $156,976$136,790 $205,085$184,204 $35,00056
2020 · Form 990EZ period ending 2020-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$101,093$24,787 $101,698$76,306 $96,588$4,505 ---

Funders of this organization

9 grantors reported grants to this organization, $210,849 in all, tax years 2020 to 2025. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV

GrantorTotal givenGrantsLatest year's amountLatest yearYears givenTypeMatchGrants
THE MIAMI FOUNDATION INC $126,3494 $17,5002025 2022-2025 DAF sponsor Exact
show
INSTITUTE FOR NONPROFIT NEWS $20,0001 $20,0002024 2024 Public charity Exact
show
ALTERNATIVE NEWSWEEKLY FOUNDATION $20,0001 $20,0002023 2023 Public charity Exact
show
RAYMOND JAMES CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT FUND $12,0001 $12,0002024 2024 DAF sponsor Exact
show
MADISON GAS & ELECTRIC FOUNDATION INC $10,0001 $10,0002021 2021 Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “ISTHMUS COMMUNITY MEDIA INC”
show
AMERICAN PRESS INSTITUTE INC $10,0001 $10,0002020 2020 Public charity Exact
show
STARTINGBLOCK MADISON INC $6,5001 $6,5002023 2023 Public charity Exact
show
THE BESSEMER GIVING FUND $5,0001 $5,0002020 2020 DAF sponsor Exact
show
JASON L AND ANA C STEPHENS FAMILY FOUNDATION $1,0001 $1,0002025 2025 Private foundation Fuzzy filed as “Isthmus Community Media Inc”
show

Nearby + Similar BETA

Organizations like this one: what they do and who they are linked to

Same category: NTEE code and revenue

Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. NTEE: the IRS’s code when it lists one, otherwise FURP’s inferred code. Same state only · More (100)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
AURICLE PRODUCTIONSWIA30 $588,691$578,146 Executive Dir.$106,678 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x, same state
JMPRO COMMUNITY MEDIA INCNCA30 $392,329$359,256 Executive Director$113,641 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x, similar name
LEXINGTON COMMUNITY MEDIA CENTER INCMAA30 $653,504$691,592 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$125,455 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x, similar name
RAYNHAM COMMUNITY ACCESS MEDIA INCMAA30 $361,971$342,379 PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x, similar name
MASHPEE COMMUNITY MEDIA CENTER INCMAA30 $500,059$561,048 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$91,956 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x, similar name
COMMUNITY MEDIA CENTER OF MARINCAA30 $1,158,034$1,166,165 Executive Director$145,000 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF COMMUNITY BROADCASTERS INCMTA30 $375,087$444,063 President$0 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
MEDIA ALLIANCE INCNYA30 $354,771$311,222 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
COMMUNITY MEDIA ACCESS PARTNERSHIPCAA30 $496,960$314,853 Executive Dir.$59,847 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
SHREWSBURY MEDIA CONNECTION INCMAA30 $566,471$352,298 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
SONOMA VALLEY COMMUNITY COMMUNICATIONS INCCAA30 $374,406$362,911 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$72,116 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
MEDICINAL MEDIA INCCAA30 $716,604$905,944 CREATIVE DIR$172,640 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
SANTA ROSA COMMUNITY MEDIA ACCESS CENTER INCCAA30 $492,428$523,851 CEO$85,000 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
THEOREM MEDIA INCCTA30 $1,027,784$1,137,664 CEO$86,282 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
LOVE NOW MEDIA INCPAA30 $660,221$696,730 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$137,532 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
ACTION YOUTH MEDIA INCMDA30 $579,664$693,800 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$70,149 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
CENTER FOR COMMUNICATION INCNYA30 $847,581$964,769 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$250,000 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
ASIAN MEDIA ACCESS INCMNA30 $1,156,674$1,048,400 Secretary/ed$89,360 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
MAPS MEDIA INSTITUTE INCMTA30 $597,500$576,560 SECRETARY/EX$92,067 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
Arlington Community Access CorporationVAA30 $542,327$849,879 CEO$12,500 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
BUFFALO MEDIA RESOURCES INCNYA30 $461,692$436,848 FORMER EXEC DIR$12,001 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
WORLD MEDIA FOUNDATION INCMAA30 $837,908$897,696 President$170,000 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC MEDIA INCDCA30 $424,121$333,734 OFFICER$0 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x
BUCKS COUNTY HERALD FOUNDATIONPAA30 $896,730$848,302 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$152,555 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x, similar mission
KNOWLEDGE MEDIA FOR GENERATIONS INCTNA30 $475,519$553,740 Executive Director$64,000 Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x

Who funds organizations like this

Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).

GrantorTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedTypeYearsWhich ones
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND $8,694,40193 36DAF sponsor2016–2024 The Center for Investigative Reporting Inc; AURICLE PRODUCTIONS; MOUNTAIN STATE SPOTLIGHT INC; ECONOMIC HARDSHIP REPORTING PROJECT and 32 more
JOHN D & CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION $8,581,95028 4Private foundation2011–2024 The Center for Investigative Reporting Inc; THE ALLIANCE FOR MEDIA ARTS - CULTURE INC; WOMENS MEDIA CENTER; EVANSTON ROUNDTABLE MEDIA
FORD FOUNDATION $7,962,95740 10Private foundation2011–2024 The Center for Investigative Reporting Inc; WOMENS MEDIA CENTER; MOUNTAIN STATE SPOTLIGHT INC; ECONOMIC HARDSHIP REPORTING PROJECT and 6 more
SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION $5,984,33637 10DAF sponsor2010–2024 The Center for Investigative Reporting Inc; ECONOMIC HARDSHIP REPORTING PROJECT; MOUNTAIN STATE SPOTLIGHT INC; FRESNOLAND MEDIA and 6 more
DONORS TRUST INC $5,650,0006 1DAF sponsor2020–2024 ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS INITIATIVE INC
JON AND KAREN HUNTSMAN FOUNDATION $3,333,3001 1Private foundation2020–2020 UTAH JOURNALISM FOUNDATION
DEMOCRACY FUND INC $3,300,0005 2Private foundation2018–2024 The Center for Investigative Reporting Inc; BALTIMORE BEAT INC
WILLIAM & FLORA HEWLETT FOUNDATION $3,012,00014 3Private foundation2010–2024 The Center for Investigative Reporting Inc; IMPACT GUILD INC; THEOREM MEDIA INC
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING $2,650,29066 29DAF sponsor2014–2024 The Center for Investigative Reporting Inc; OKLAHOMA WATCH INC; LONG BEACH JOURNALISM INITIATIVE INC; ECONOMIC HARDSHIP REPORTING PROJECT and 25 more
THE MIAMI FOUNDATION INC funds this one $2,648,79592 26DAF sponsor2015–2025 OKLAHOMA WATCH INC; NORTHEAST FLORIDA JOURNALISM COLLECTIVE INC; INVESTIGATIVE POST INC; ARIZONA LOCAL POST and 22 more
TULSA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION $2,326,2008 4DAF sponsor2013–2024 OKLAHOMA WATCH INC; PRISON JOURNALISM PROJECT INCORPORATED; MAGNOLIA TRIBUNE INSTITUTE; WOMENS MEDIA CENTER
NOVO FOUNDATION $2,044,0006 1Private foundation2013–2022 WOMENS MEDIA CENTER
THE CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT $2,011,33014 4Private foundation2011–2024 RESOLUTION INC; The Center for Investigative Reporting Inc; LATINO MEDIA COLLABORATIVE; FRESNOLAND MEDIA
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION $1,946,09736 5DAF sponsor2012–2024 MASTERMEDIA INTERNATIONAL; SPIRIT COMMUNICATIONS INC; EXCELLENCIES OF CHRIST MINISTRIES; GRATIS 7 MEDIA GROUP INC and 1 more
JAMES IRVINE FOUNDATION $1,789,2008 4Private foundation2010–2023 The Center for Investigative Reporting Inc; LATINO MEDIA COLLABORATIVE; FRESNOLAND MEDIA; ECONOMIC HARDSHIP REPORTING PROJECT

The full list · all similar organizations

Where the money went

Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.

2024 · Form 990 · $656,024 spent · pay $354,039 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other salaries and wages $267,203$267,203-- 40.7%
Office expenses $140,057$140,057-- 21.3%
Fees: other services $84,604$84,604-- 12.9%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $60,000$60,000-- 9.1%
Fees: legal $44,363-$44,363- 6.8%
Payroll taxes $26,836$26,836-- 4.1%
Other (as described)BANK CHARGES & FEES $16,976-$16,976- 2.6%
Insurance $6,558$6,558-- 1.0%
Occupancy $6,050$6,050-- 0.9%
Travel $2,508$2,508-- 0.4%
Other (as described)TAXES & LICENSES $588$588-- 0.1%
Advertising and promotion $214$214-- 0.0%
Depreciation and depletion $67$67-- 0.0%
Total$656,024100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990 · $655,558 spent · pay $361,823 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other salaries and wages $272,795$272,795-- 41.6%
Office expenses $131,861$131,861-- 20.1%
Fees: other services $88,315$88,315-- 13.5%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $60,000$60,000-- 9.2%
Fees: legal $45,912-$45,912- 7.0%
Payroll taxes $29,028$29,028-- 4.4%
Other (as described)BANK CHARGES & FEES $15,588-$15,588- 2.4%
Insurance $6,150$6,150-- 0.9%
Occupancy $4,597$4,597-- 0.7%
Depreciation and depletion $1,208$1,208-- 0.2%
Other (as described)TAXES & LICENSES $104$104-- 0.0%
Total$655,558100%

View the filing

2022 · Form 990 · $564,552 spent · pay $284,749 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Fees: other services $205,624$205,624-- 36.4%
Pay: disqualified persons $202,460$202,460-- 35.9%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $60,000$60,000-- 10.6%
Fees: legal $26,140-$26,140- 4.6%
Office expenses $22,331$22,331-- 4.0%
Payroll taxes $22,289$22,289-- 3.9%
Other (as described)BANK CHARGES & FEES $13,915-$13,915- 2.5%
Insurance $5,763$5,763-- 1.0%
Occupancy $2,495$2,495-- 0.4%
Depreciation and depletion $1,520$1,520-- 0.3%
Travel $1,496$1,496-- 0.3%
Advertising and promotion $435$435-- 0.1%
Other (as described)TAXES & LICENSES $54$54-- 0.0%
Other (as described)OTHER BUSINESS EXPENSES $30$30-- 0.0%
Total$564,552100%

View the filing

2021 · Form 990 · $329,005 spent · pay $169,439 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other salaries and wages $120,415$120,415-- 36.6%
Fees: other services $97,904$97,904-- 29.8%
Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees $35,000$35,000-- 10.6%
Other (as described)BANK CHARGES & FEES $19,851-$19,851- 6.0%
Payroll taxes $14,024$14,024-- 4.3%
Fees: legal $12,660-$12,660- 3.8%
Other (as described)TAXES & LICENSES $8,456$8,456-- 2.6%
Office expenses $6,894$6,894-- 2.1%
Insurance $5,177$5,177-- 1.6%
Occupancy $4,588$4,588-- 1.4%
Advertising and promotion $2,586$2,586-- 0.8%
Depreciation and depletion $1,450$1,450-- 0.4%
Total$329,005100%

View the filing

2020 · Form 990EZ · $24,787 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Fees to independent contractors $20,286 81.8%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $4,423 17.8%
Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance $78 0.3%
Total$24,787100%

View the filing

Trademarks

3 US trademarks, 3 live.

MarkSerialFiledStatusSource
ISTHMUS988519032024-11-13RegisteredTRTYRAP, file of 2026-04-03
ISTHMUS881904342018-11-12RegisteredTRTYRAP, file of 2026-04-03
ISTHMUS860389872013-08-15Registered and renewedTRTYRAP, file of 2026-04-03

The newest marks of the trademark owners above, matched to this record by name (and state).

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