What Windrider Institute does

Windrider Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2005 and headquartered in Eagle, Idaho, that engages faith-based audiences with independent film and visual media. Its core activities center on an annual Summit held in co-location with the Sundance Film Festival, drawing 200+ students and faculty from 40+ partner universities; a 3-year Windrider Fellowship program; and in-house Windrider Productions, which produces documentary content including the In The Paint series. The organization also runs Windrider Studios, a streaming distribution platform for its curated library of more than 200 short films, and has expanded into new content series such as the Big Questions Series and the Faith + Work Series. Distribution extends beyond owned channels through partnerships including PBS.

The institute's business model is that of a mission-driven non-profit: it is funded through donations, sponsorships, and grants from philanthropic foundations including the Murdock Foundation, Templeton Foundation, Kern Family Foundation, and Family Theater Productions. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. Its customer base is distributed across three segments — university students and campus ministry programs, foundation funders and individual donors, and downstream audiences reached via PBS and streaming distribution — which provides some diversification but ties the organization's financial trajectory closely to higher-education partnerships and foundation giving cycles.

Strategically, the institute is in a transition phase: after 20+ years at Sundance, the 2027 Summit is relocating to a dedicated Windrider Campus in Louisville, Colorado, signaling a shift from borrowed event infrastructure to owned campus assets. Windrider Studios extends engagement beyond the once-yearly Summit, and the addition of Michael Priddy in a 2026 leadership role points to organizational reinforcement ahead of the campus move. Technology surface is conventional — a streaming library and event programming — with no disclosed proprietary platform architecture or AI/ML capabilities in the public material reviewed.

Name

Windrider Institute

Legal name

The Windrider Institute, Inc.

Website

https://windriderinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Windrider Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, founded in 2005 and based in Eagle, Idaho, that engages faith-based audiences with independent film through an annual Sundance Summit, a 3-year Fellowship, documentary production, and a streaming platform, supported by foundation grants and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Eagle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Windrider is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on donations from individuals and organizations. The organization accepts tax-deductible donations and is an approved charity for Donor-Advised Funds.
2. Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors fund the Windrider Summit, productions, and studios to elevate impact on the next generation of Christian leaders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Windrider Institute creates, curates, and responds to film and visual media, sparking thoughtful conversation around significant cultural topics. Its core offerings are Windrider Studios (a curated streaming film library available free via TV, mobile, and web apps), Windrider Productions (a turn-key documentary production service producing 200+ short films), the annual Windrider Summit held during the Sundance Film Festival, and the 3-year Windrider Fellowship program for 15 Fellows and 4 Scholars. It also produces branded film series including The Big Questions and the Faith + Work series for institutional partners.

Product overview

Windrider Institute is a non-profit organization operating multiple interconnected programs focused on faith-based film and visual media engagement. The core offerings include Windrider Studios (a streaming platform for curated films available via TV, mobile, and web apps), Windrider Productions (a documentary production company), the annual Windrider Summit (held in conjunction with the Sundance Film Festival), and the 3-year Windrider Fellowship program. The Big Questions Series extends the educational mission through documentary content exploring faith, science, and humanity topics. Together, these products serve to equip the next generation of Christian leaders to engage culture through film, visual media storytelling, and thoughtful conversation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Windrider Productions: Award-winning documentary film and visual media production company creating original content for film festivals and broadcast networks
• Windrider Studios
• The Big Questions
• Faith + Work Series

Products and services

• Windrider Studios Windrider Studios is a streaming platform that curates short and feature films with exclusive conversation resources, available via TV, mobile, and web apps. It offers edifying and inspiring entertainment content for viewers and a library of resources for partner organizations' outreach initiatives, distributed at no cost courtesy of sponsors.
• Windrider Productions Windrider Productions is a high-caliber turn-key documentary production company that creates original content including award-winning short and feature documentaries for film festivals, broadcast networks, and digital platforms. It has produced over 200 short films in partnership with organizations such as M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Kern Family Foundation, and Family Theater Productions.
• Windrider Summit The Windrider Summit is an annual one-of-a-kind cultural experience held at the Sundance Film Festival that combines attendance at independent film screenings with thoughtful discussions on faith and culture. It serves as the organization's primary annual event, attracting hundreds of students, filmmakers, and Christian leaders who interact with a community that believes in the transformative power of story.
• Windrider Fellowship The Windrider Fellowship is a 3-year fellowship program designed to inspire transcendence through thoughtful engagement with core themes in humility-in-theology for filmmakers. Each year it engages 15 Fellows and 4 Scholars through the Windrider Summit, the Sundance Film Festival experience, and the Big Ideas Film Series, providing both professional and spiritual formation.
• Big Questions Series The Big Questions Series is a film series created in partnership with the John Templeton Foundation in which scholars from the Windrider Fellowship address Big Questions of faith, science, and humanity directly related to their expertise. The series includes 3 seasons with accompanying exploration guides for educational use.
• In The Paint Documentary Series In The Paint is a six-part documentary series produced in partnership with M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust that follows the journey of Justin Fatica as he coaches a boys' basketball team, dealing with mentorship, hard work, and encouragement. The series is in post-production.
• Faith + Work Series The Faith + Work Series is an 18-short-film documentary series created in partnership with the Kern Family Foundation that explores the relationship between faith, work, and economics, offering perspectives on human flourishing through work.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 views and 4,000+ screenings on PBS stations nationwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Family Theater ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Presenting sponsor of Windrider Summit and production partner. Windrider has produced films with Family Theater including 'PRAY: The Story of Patrick Peyton' and 'Playing Like a Girl: The House That Rob Built.'
• Sundance InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Long-standing partnership for the annual Windrider Summit held during the Sundance Film Festival. Windrider has partnered with Sundance for over 20 years, creating a unique immersive educational experience.
• Kalos WorksminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Presenting sponsor of Windrider Summit, contributing to the organization's go-to-market efforts for reaching the next generation of Christian leaders.
• Moriah GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Presenting sponsor of Windrider Summit, supporting the organization's mission to equip the next generation through film and visual media.
• Knights of ColumbusminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Presenting sponsor of Windrider Summit, supporting faith-based filmmaking and cultural engagement initiatives.
• Young LifecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner organization that brings staff and participants to Windrider Summit. Young Life utilizes Windrider content for ministry purposes and cultural engagement through storytelling.
• Wedgwood CirclecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner organization focused on entertainment, media, and culture. Windrider co-founder Craig Detweiler serves as President of The Wedgwood Circle.
• International Arts MovementminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner organization for which Windrider has produced over 200 short films, supporting their mission through visual storytelling.
• PBS / GBHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Windrider films have achieved national distribution through PBS stations, accumulating over 100,000 views and 4,000+ screenings on various PBS channels nationwide.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network): EWTN is a global Catholic faith-based media network producing original programming and operating a streaming platform. Adjacent to Windrider as a faith-content producer and distributor, though denominationally distinct.
• Daystar Television Network: Daystar is one of the largest faith-based broadcast networks with on-demand streaming. Comparable to Windrider Studios + Windrider Summit as a faith-content media ecosystem targeting Christian audiences.
• Focus on the Family: Focus on the Family is a large Christian nonprofit producing radio, films, and educational content (e.g., Adventures in Odyssey). Overlaps with Windrider Productions on faith-based media creation and with the Windrider Fellowship on faith-leadership formation.
• Hallmark Channel: Hallmark operates a streaming/linear channel focused on wholesome, family-friendly entertainment. Comparable to Windrider Studios in curating edifying entertainment for broad audiences, though secular rather than faith-specific.
• Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN): CBN operates a 24/7 Christian broadcast network, streaming service (CBN News, Superbook), and family content production. Overlaps with Windrider on faith-based content production and distribution but at significantly larger scale and broader scope.

Others

• Museum of the Bible: Museum of the Bible is a faith-based cultural/educational nonprofit in Washington DC producing exhibits, films, and educational programming. Comparable to Windrider Institute as a faith-aligned nonprofit combining cultural engagement, education, and media production.
• K-LOVE: K-LOVE is a non-profit Christian music broadcaster with streaming apps and live events. Adjacent to Windrider as a faith-content media nonprofit combining streaming, events, and donor-supported programming for Christian audiences.

Direct peers

• Angel Studios: Angel Studios produces and distributes faith-friendly theatrical and streaming films (e.g., Sound of Freedom, The Chosen). Comparable as a faith-aligned film production/distribution entity with crossover mainstream reach, similar to Windrider Productions + Studios.
• UP Faith & Family: UP Faith & Family is a subscription streaming service dedicated to family- and faith-friendly films and series. Comparable to Windrider Studios as a curated faith-content streaming distribution platform.
• Pure Flix: Pure Flix operates a faith-based streaming service and produces faith-friendly films, mirroring Windrider's combined Studios streaming + Productions film model. Both target Christian audiences seeking curated, spiritually resonant content.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/windrider-institute

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Windrider Institute