Stagecoach Foundation, Inc.

What Stagecoach Foundation, Inc. does

Stagecoach Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico, that delivers free film and television workforce training to New Mexico residents. Founded in 2016 following the passing of co-founder David Weininger, with author George R.R. Martin as the surviving co-founder, the foundation operates from a 10,588-square-foot LEED-certified building on Stagecoach Street near the Santa Fe plaza, originally the headquarters of Weininger's Daylight Chemical Information Systems. It is staffed by three full-time roles — Executive Director Dr. Elizabeth Kianu Stahmer, "Mage of Media" Brandon Behringer, and Coordinator Ienenharihshon Thompson — and is supported by an unusually broad coalition of industry guilds (IATSE 480, SAG-AFTRA, ICG 600, ADG 800), state and city film offices, colleges (IAIA, SFCC, San Juan College), and studios (Netflix, Amazon).

The foundation's product portfolio centers on free, human-delivered craft training rather than proprietary technology. Core programs include the Road Show mobile training (a two-day intensive in camera, acting, sound, and grip/electric that travels to communities including Gallup, San Juan County, Mora, and Spaceport America), the multi-weekend Production Assistant Training Program (delivering OSHA 10 certification and union pathway support via SFCC), the annual Santa Fe Screenwriters Conference co-presented with IAIA, and a growing suite of specialized workshops covering DaVinci Resolve and ProTools post-production, set decoration, casting, drone cinematography, set lighting/DMX, and director shadowing. The 2026-launched Freelance Incubator, co-presented with DeadEye Post and Supra Sonic Studios, extends the curriculum into the business of freelancing for post-production professionals. In parallel, the foundation monetizes its real estate through market-rate rentals of executive office suites, a 5,931-square-foot turnkey film production space at 6th Street Plaza, and cave set pieces.

The business model is a hybrid of donations/grants and facility rental income. All training is offered tuition-free to NM residents, with no commercial product distribution; donations are processed via the Give Lively platform and supplemented by program sponsorships (e.g., New Mexico Film Office, Century Bank, Engine Room Investments) and episodic fundraising events. Distribution is primarily direct, delivered at the Santa Fe campus and through traveling Road Shows, with co-branded delivery through community colleges extending reach without proportional headcount growth. Geographic scope is single-country domestic, restricted to New Mexico.

Name

Stagecoach Foundation, Inc.

Legal name

Stagecoach Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://stagecoachfdn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Stagecoach Foundation is a Santa Fe-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that delivers free film and television workforce training to New Mexico residents via Road Shows, workshops, conferences, and union pathway programs, supported by donations, grants, and facility rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film and Television Workforce Development Training

NAICS

Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (81399), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAKAB

Community Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

Keywords

• Film workforce training
• Television production education
• Nonprofit film training
• Production space leasing
• Screenwriting workshop programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Fe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Stagecoach Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that relies on donations and grant funding to support its free training programs. The organization accepts donations through Give Lively platform.
2. Office and Production Space Rentals: The foundation generates revenue through leasing its 10,588-square-foot LEED-certified building, including executive suites and office space, as well as film production spaces at the 6th Street Plaza Building and cave set rentals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Stagecoach Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers free film and television workforce development training to New Mexico residents, including mobile Road Shows, post-production training, screenwriting conferences, and production assistant programs. The foundation also leases office suites, film production space, and cave set pieces from its LEED-certified Santa Fe headquarters to film industry clients. Programs are facilitated by working film and television professionals in partnership with industry guilds, state film offices, and community colleges.

Product overview

Stagecoach Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of free film and television training programs and workforce development services for New Mexicans. The organization operates a multi-faceted training platform centered on Road Show Mobile Film Training, Production Assistant Training, and the annual Santa Fe Screenwriters Conference, supplemented by specialized workshops including Post-Production Training with DaVinci Resolve and ProTools, Writers Room Workshops, Set Decoration Basics, Casting Conferences, and the Freelance Incubator. In addition to training programs, the foundation provides facility rentals including Film Production Space, Office Space, and Cave Set Pieces. All programs are designed to create career pathways in New Mexico's film and television industry, facilitated by working film and television professionals, with community partnerships including IATSE 480, ICG 600, ADG 800, SAG-AFTRA, and various state film offices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Road Show Mobile Film Training A 2-day intensive hands-on training program that brings top film professionals to communities across New Mexico to teach Assistant Camera, Acting for Camera, Sound, and Grip skills, culminating in production of a short film from a winning screenplay. Available free to New Mexico residents.
• Production Assistant Training Program A multi-weekend intensive training program offered in partnership with Santa Fe Community College, preparing New Mexico residents for entry-level film industry positions. Includes OSHA 10 safety certification, resume and interview coaching, and presentation of graduates as candidates to productions for hire through the PA Production Incentive Program.
• Santa Fe Screenwriters Conference An annual conference presented with Institute of American Indian Arts featuring workshops led by award-winning screenwriters, keynote discussions, and networking opportunities for emerging and seasoned writers.
• Professional Post-Production Training with DaVinci Resolve Hands-on training in DaVinci Resolve software for color correction, VFX, and editing short films produced on Stagecoach Road Shows. Delivered as cohort-based training.
• Post-Production Sound for Film with ProTools Intensive cohort-based class featuring ProTools by AVID teaching dialogue editing, sound design, and mixdown for film.
• Freelance Incubator A 2-day intensive workshop on building sustainable freelance careers in post-production, covering positioning, branding, client relationships, business setup, accounting, taxes, workflow, and long-term strategy. Co-presented with DeadEye Post and Supra Sonic Studios.
• Film Production Space Rental Flexible mixed-use production office space totaling 5,931 square feet at the 6th Street Plaza Building, including ground-floor offices, warehouse with 17-foot ceilings, and mezzanine level. Turnkey leasing includes dedicated internet, IT service, secured entry, weekly cleaning, and utilities.
• Office Space Rental Executive suite-style office space in a LEED-certified building near Santa Fe plaza. Main facility is a two-story, 10,588-square-foot building with 19 offices, two conference rooms, loading dock, kitchen, storage, and two patio areas. Available at market rates.
• Cave Set Piece Rental Rental of cave set pieces for film production, with leasing information available upon contact.
• Stagecoach and PROTEC Film Internship Program IATSE 480-approved internship providing training, mentorship, and access to work with signatory productions, including weekend intensive training and OSHA 10 certification.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates receive OSHA 10 safety certification and are presented as candidates to productions for hire through the PA Production Incentive Program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and minor.

• New Mexico Film OfficecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Presenting sponsor of Screenwriters Conference 2026, providing funding and industry connections.
• Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Co-presenter of annual Screenwriters Conference at IAIA campus in Santa Fe. Partnership brings diverse Indigenous voices into screenwriting programs.
• IATSE Local 480coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilm union partnership providing industry connections and union-approved internship pathways. IATSE 480-approved internship program connects graduates to signatory productions with union department heads as mentors.
• SAG-AFTRAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActors union partnership supporting training programs and actor development initiatives.
• ICG 600coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational Cinematographers Guild partnership for camera crew training and professional development.
• ADG 800coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt Directors Guild partnership supporting set design and art department training.
• New Mexico Film OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState film office partnership providing funding, program support, and industry connections for workforce development initiatives.
• Santa Fe Film OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal film office partnership supporting Santa Fe-based programs and events.
• Albuquerque Film OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal film office partnership supporting Albuquerque-based programs and events.
• DeadEye PostkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of Freelance Incubator program, providing post-production expertise and industry mentorship for the two-day intensive on sustainable freelance careers.
• Supra Sonic StudioskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of Freelance Incubator program, contributing Emmy-winning post-production expertise and film industry experience.
• Santa Fe Community College Film DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership for PA Training Program, with SFCC Film Department Chair Milton Riess serving as instructor and program hosted at SFCC campus.
• PROTECcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIATSE 480-approved internship program partnership providing training, mentorship, and access to union-approved productions for New Mexican film career seekers.
• San Juan CollegekeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for San Juan County Road Show, offering training for credit or non-credit through the college.
• Sky RailwayminorOthersRailway venue for Bubbles & Bubbly fundraiser event supporting Stagecoach Foundation mission.
• PanavisionkeyOthersEquipment partner providing Arri Alexa cameras for Road Show training and short film productions.
• Maleko Grip & RiggingkeyOthersEquipment partner providing dolly and track for Road Show productions and training.
• CineleasekeyOthersEquipment partner providing set lights and electric equipment for Road Show productions and training.
• Netflix Studios & MBSkeyOthersSet Lighting & DMX Training hosted at Netflix Studios & MBS in Albuquerque, providing access to industry-standard gear and grip trucks.
• Amazon StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenior Post Production Executive Christina Perez participates in Art of the Cut discussions connecting Hollywood and New Mexico post-production opportunities.
• Reel Indian PictureskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilmmakers Ramona Emerson and Kelly Byars facilitate Reel Stories documentary filmmaking workshop, bringing expertise in Indigenous storytelling and oral history documentation.
• Jean Cocteau CinemakeyOthersGeorge R.R. Martin's cinema in Santa Fe serves as screening venue for winning short films from Road Shows and documentary premieres.
• New Mexico Film FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on New Mexico Above-the-Line virtual conversation series, bringing together producers, directors, writers, and actors for panel discussions.
• Presley CastingkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Casting Conference bringing California and New Mexico casting directors, agents, and managers together with New Mexico actors.
• Nambé PueblokeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership hosting Casting Conference, supporting Native American participation in film industry career development.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• SFFILM: San Francisco Bay Area film society running festivals, education, and filmmaker residencies—a regional nonprofit with educational programming for emerging talent, comparable in mission though serving a different geography and lacking Stagecoach's union integration.
• Film Independent: Established LA nonprofit supporting independent filmmakers through labs, education, and the Spirit Awards—operates film workforce-adjacent programs but at materially larger scale and broader scope than Stagecoach's regional craft training.
• Austin Film Society: Texas-based film society offering education, grants, and community programming for filmmakers—comparable to Stagecoach as a regional film-focused nonprofit with education and community-building functions, though at a different scale.
• New York Film Academy: Major film school offering hands-on training across multiple craft disciplines—comparable to Stagecoach in curriculum focus but operates at much larger scale under a paid-tuition for-profit model rather than free nonprofit training.
• The Gotham Film & Media Institute: Formerly the Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP), NYC-based nonprofit supporting independent film and media with year-round programming, education, and networking—a filmmaker-support nonprofit with overlapping education and community components.

Direct peers

• Ghetto Film School: NYC-based nonprofit (now operating in partnership with BRIC) providing free film education, mentorship, and career pathway programming for underrepresented youth—directly comparable to Stagecoach's free workforce development model for New Mexicans.
• Inner-City Filmmakers: Los Angeles nonprofit offering free film industry training, mentorship, and career development to youth from underserved communities—a near-direct functional peer with a comparable free training and industry-placement mission.
• Reel Works: Brooklyn-based nonprofit delivering free filmmaking programs and youth media education with mentorship and industry exposure—closely mirrors Stagecoach's free training, hands-on production, and career-pathway model.

Regional players

• Maine Film Center: Maine-based regional film nonprofit offering screenings, education, and filmmaker support—a state-focused film arts nonprofit with overlapping educational mission, but serving a different geography without Stagecoach's guild and studio integration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/stagecoachfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stagecoachfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Stagecoach Foundation, Inc.