STRATEGY STUDIO / PUBLIC DATA EXPLORER

DECODING CULTURE FOUNDATION

Cite this

Plain text DECODING CULTURE FOUNDATION. Strategy Studio, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2023–2025. https://strategystudio.org/org/923025720. Retrieved 2026-10-19.

APA Strategy Studio. (n.d.). DECODING CULTURE FOUNDATION [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2023–2025]. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://strategystudio.org/org/923025720

MLA “DECODING CULTURE FOUNDATION.” Strategy Studio, tax years 2023–2025, https://strategystudio.org/org/923025720. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Retrieved 2026-10-19; covers tax years 2023–2025. Data: Strategy Studio, CC BY 4.0.

2025 · Form 990 · revenue $226K · expenses $242K · assets $67K

EIN
92-3025720
Address
6557 FIELDMONT MANOR DR, TOBACCOVILLE, NC 27050-9614
Website
DECODING-CULTURE.COM
NTEE code
W05
Subsection
501(c)(3)
Ruling year
2023
Cross-check
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer

Mission

THE DECODING CULTURE FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO THE STUDY OF CULTURAL ENGINEERING, MORE SPECIFICALLY, TO THE INVESTIGATION AND GENERAL DISSEMINATION OF THE MYRIAD WAYS THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY SHAPES PUBLIC ATTITUDES AND VALUES.

Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).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

4 people 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
Brett Carollo DIRECTOR OF2023-2025 $85,933$182,406 1
Thomas Millary PRESIDENT2023-2025 $77,720$172,920 1
Mariana Najera OFFICE MANAG2024-2025 $22,950$28,269 1
John Stroup (former) HEAD OF EDUC2023-2024 $16,200$24,046 1

People by year

2025 · 3 people listed · 3 paid, $187K · 3 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
BRETT CAROLLO DIRECTOR OF30 $65,877$0$20,056 $85,9331
THOMAS MILLARY PRESIDENT30 $72,544$0$5,176 $77,7201
MARIANA NAJERA OFFICE MANAG25 $22,950$0$0 $22,9501
2024 · 4 people listed · 4 paid, $153K · 4 employees
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
BRETT CAROLLO DIRECTOR OF40 $66,312$0$0 $66,3121
THOMAS MILLARY PRESIDENT40 $64,992$0$0 $64,9921
JOHN STROUP HEAD OF EDUC20 $16,200$0$0 $16,2001
MARIANA NAJERA OFFICE MANAG29 $5,319$0$0 $5,3191
2023 · 3 people listed · 3 paid, $68K
NameTitleHrs/wkFrom orgFrom relatedOtherTotalOrgs
THOMAS MILLARY PRESIDENT40 $30,208-- $30,2081
BRETT CAROLLO DIRECTOR OF40 $30,161-- $30,1611
JOHN STROUP HEAD OF EDUC20 $7,846-- $7,8461

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
2025 · Form 990 period ending 2025-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$225,820$241,660 $66,682$66,682 $224,136$0 $161,3713-
2024 · Form 990 period ending 2024-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$220,607$203,775 $82,522$82,522 $220,000$0 $152,8234-
2023 · Form 990EZ period ending 2023-12-31 · view filing · original 990 ↗
$150,052$84,362 $65,690$65,690 $150,000- ---

Funders of this organization

Not reported: no grants to this organization appear in the filings we have (tax years 2010 to 2025).

Similar organizations

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. Same state only · More (100)

OrganizationStateNTEELatest revenueLatest expensesTop-paid titleTop payWhy similar
OMEGA LABS INCNCW05 $170,000$0 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x, same state
IAM FOUNDATIONAZW05 $176,430$93,426 Director, Vice President$36,000 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
COMMON SENSE FOR OREGON FOUNDATIONORW05 $446,673$384,257 Director$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR AMERICAN POLICYVAW05 $367,322$401,891 EXECUTIVE DI$261,323 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
CYBER CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOUNDATIONCAW05 $225,000$225,016 CHAIRMAN & PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
STATE LEADERSHIP FOUNDATIONDCW05 $250,000$10,472 President - Treasurer - Secretary - Director$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION FOUNDATIONS INCMDW05 $426,957$435,159 AT LG DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
DRIVING OHIO FORWARDOHW05 $318,600$67,169 PRESIDENT & ASSISTANT SECR$634,792 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
FORWARD MOTION SOCIAL JUSTICE INSTITUTECAW05 $197,712$236,860 Chairman$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
TEXAS UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST JUSTICE MINISTRY EDUCATION NETWORKTXW05 $231,843$203,168 Chairman$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
ORIGINS COUNCILCAW05 $254,582$259,121 SECRETARY/TR$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
UNITE NY EDUCATION FUNDNYW05 $449,663$422,159 Former Exec Director$141,681 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
THE AMERICAN CAUSEVAW05 $132,746$67,853 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
ALASKANS FOR POSTERITY INCAKW05 $210,003$252,963 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
DELTA GAMMA CHAPTER OF ALPHA GAMMA DELTA FRATERNITY HOUSE ASSOCIATIONMTW05 $221,756$73,908 President$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
CAMPAIGN FOR LIBERTYTXW05 $440,242$489,040 Executive Director$145,200 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
FINANCIAL POLICY COUNCIL INCNYW05 $307,488$332,701 CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT$297,897 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
MISSISSIPPI CIVIL DEFENSE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION INCMSW05 $139,965$133,111 ASSOC SEC/TREASURER$2,400 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
SOCRATUS COLLECTIVE WISDOM CORPORATIONMAW05 $240,545$745,440 PRESIDENT$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
CENTER FOR FREEDOM AND PROSPERITY FOUNDATIONVAW05 $190,416$134,466 Treasurer$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
WAY TO FREEDOMTXW05 $166,825$158,382 DIRECTOR$0 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
CITIZENS FOR LOCAL POWER INCNYW05 $435,324$411,305 FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR$80,000 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
CUSTOMERS FIRST COALITION INCWIW05 $241,722$230,906 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/DIRECTO$162,950 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
ADOPTION PROJECT INCTNW05 $371,099$534,689 PRESIDENT$275,980 Same NTEE code W05, revenue within 2x
GEORGE WASHINGTON INITIATIVE INCDCW05 $192,686$172,342 Director President Treasurer$0 Same NTEE code W05, 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).

GrantorTypeTotal givenGrantsOrganizations fundedYearsWhich ones
JOHN D & CATHERINE T MACARTHUR FOUNDATION Private foundation$6,005,00022 42010–2024 TOBIN PROJECT INC; TRUMAN CENTER FOR NATIONAL POLICY; SOCRATUS COLLECTIVE WISDOM CORPORATION; CENTER FOR TAX AND BUDGET ACCOUNTABILITY N F P
DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING DAF sponsor$3,905,13034 102014–2024 UNCONSTRAINED ANALYTICS INC; INSTITUTE FOR INDO-PACIFIC SECURITY; SALT AND LIGHT GLOBAL; NEW MAJORITY FOUNDATION and 6 more
DONORS TRUST INC DAF sponsor$3,513,18026 82020–2024 UNCONSTRAINED ANALYTICS INC; EMPIRE CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY INC; GARDEN STATE INITIATIVE INC; AMERICAN MOVEMENT FOUNDATION and 4 more
CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK Private foundation$3,474,40029 32010–2024 TRUMAN CENTER FOR NATIONAL POLICY; TOBIN PROJECT INC; NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR AMERICAN POLICY
FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND DAF sponsor$2,809,10945 172016–2024 CENTER FOR PUBLIC ENTERPRISE; TRUMAN CENTER FOR NATIONAL POLICY; AMERICAN SECURITY PROJECT; TOBIN PROJECT INC and 13 more
VANGUARD CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM DAF sponsor$1,614,50020 92020–2024 EMPIRE CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY INC; AMERICAN MOVEMENT FOUNDATION; FRONTIER INSTITUTE INC; TRUMAN CENTER FOR NATIONAL POLICY and 5 more
GREATER WASHINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$1,430,00010 12009–2017 TRUMAN CENTER FOR NATIONAL POLICY
TIDES FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$1,378,50317 52018–2024 CITIZENS FOR LOCAL POWER INC; CYBER CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION; SOCRATUS COLLECTIVE WISDOM CORPORATION; ECONOMIC PROGRESS INSTITUTE and 1 more
ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS INC DAF sponsor$1,225,0003 22022–2024 A BETTER WISCONSIN TOGETHER INSTITUTE INC; PENNSYLVANIA POLICY CENTER
JEWISH COMMUNAL FUND DAF sponsor$1,156,1009 12016–2024 EMPIRE CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY INC
THE RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DAF sponsor$1,155,95116 12019–2024 ECONOMIC PROGRESS INSTITUTE
FOUNDATION TO PROMOTE OPEN SOCIETY Private foundation$1,089,9795 22021–2024 TRUMAN CENTER FOR NATIONAL POLICY; PARABOLA CENTER FOR LAW AND POLICY
BOSTON FOUNDATION INC DAF sponsor$1,060,50015 32009–2024 TOBIN PROJECT INC; WELCOME DEMOCRACY INSTITUTE; TRUMAN CENTER FOR NATIONAL POLICY
WILLIAM & FLORA HEWLETT FOUNDATION Private foundation$1,020,0009 32020–2024 TOBIN PROJECT INC; TRUMAN CENTER FOR NATIONAL POLICY; LOCAL PUBLIC SECTOR ALLIANCE
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TR DAF sponsor$922,50011 102018–2024 TOBIN PROJECT INC; INSTITUTE FOR INDO-PACIFIC SECURITY; WELCOME DEMOCRACY INSTITUTE; CENTER FOR TAX AND BUDGET ACCOUNTABILITY N F P and 6 more

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.

2025 · Form 990 · $241,660 spent · pay $174,451 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other salaries and wages $162,054$162,054-- 67.1%
Insurance $32,680$32,680-- 13.5%
Fees: legal $16,381-$16,381- 6.8%
Payroll taxes $12,397$12,397-- 5.1%
Information technology $8,661$8,661-- 3.6%
Fees: other services $5,615$5,615-- 2.3%
Office expenses $3,735$2,304$1,431- 1.5%
Travel $100$100-- 0.0%
Depreciation and depletion $37$37-- 0.0%
Total$241,660100%

View the filing

2024 · Form 990 · $203,775 spent · pay $166,277 · grants $450 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalProgramManagementFundraisingShare
Other salaries and wages $152,823$152,823-- 75.0%
Insurance $16,510$16,510-- 8.1%
Payroll taxes $13,454$13,454-- 6.6%
Fees: other services $8,120$8,120-- 4.0%
Fees: legal $3,500-$3,500- 1.7%
Office expenses $3,155$1,734$1,421- 1.5%
Travel $3,146$3,146-- 1.5%
Information technology $2,555$2,555-- 1.3%
Grants to US organizations and governments $450$450-- 0.2%
Depreciation and depletion $62$62-- 0.0%
Total$203,775100%

View the filing

2023 · Form 990EZ · $84,362 spent · pay $73,479 · grants $0 · events $0
LineAs describedTotalShare
Salaries, other pay and benefits $73,479 87.1%
Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) $8,776 10.4%
Fees to independent contractors $2,107 2.5%
Total$84,362100%

View the filing