The Paley Center for Media

What it reported doing in 2024

Other program services: the paley center's education programs for k-12 students and teachers utilize the paley center archive to build participants' analytical thinking, viewing, and listening skills and to deepen students' understanding of media as a powerful tool to persuade and inform. Classes for students examine media's shaping influence on historic and contemporary events and its unique power to educate and engage audiences. All education classes are aligned with state and local standards for english language arts, social studies, and visual arts. During classes, students view a curated selection of clips from the archive to examine media's coverage of and impact on a particular era or theme, such as the civil rights movement, the cold war, activism, and portrayals of women on television. Educators then guide an inquiry-based discussion where students are asked to critically evaluate the content they have viewed and to provide evidence-based responses. Educators speak about techniques used to construct a narrative, visual and auditory clues, and compare and contract techniques across different programs, examining them for purpose and effect. To reinforce learning and integrate it with classroom curriculum, teachers receive pre- and post-visit materials that cover key vocabulary, discussion questions, and include suggested classroom activities to extend the learning experience. Classes and online resources are designed to prepare students for a 21st century digital learning environment.each year, our educators lead over 150 media literacy classes and workshops serving more than 5,000 k-12 school children and educators. Classes are adjusted according to grade level, cover a broad range of subjects, and incorporate guided discussion to encourage active observation and critical thinking. Over 80% of students served come from New York city.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 91.7%; rating input score 92
• Program expense ratio: 67.1%; rating input score 67
• Fundraising efficiency: $4.69 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 19; 19th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 62nd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 0 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 0
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Missing
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 98.4%; rating input score 98; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -22%; rating input score 4; 4th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 7.67; rating input score 89; 89th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.02; rating input score 90; 90th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 14%; rating input score 10; 10th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 0.5% per year; rating input score 100; 12th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 1.9% per year; rating input score 100; 17th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 2.4% per year; rating input score 100; 20th percentile among comparable filings