FISCAL SPONSORSHIP – INFORMATION

As a benefit to our Members, Alliance of Women Directors offers fiscal sponsorship for qualifying projects.

Fiscal sponsorship is a financial and legal arrangement in which a 501(c)(3) nonprofit extends its tax-exempt status to a filmmaker, allowing their project to receive grants and donations that are tax-deductible.

We are incredibly proud to support the creation of bold, impactful work with women and gender-expansive directors at the helm, and to help bring more diverse stories to life. Please review the information below for full details on eligibility, fees, and the application process.

Eligibility

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

  • AWD Ally or Directing Members in good standing
  • The AWD Member must be either the director or producer of the project
  • There must be a woman or gender-expansive director on the project
  • Projects must align with AWD’s mission and values

Eligible project types include, but are not limited to:

  • Narrative films (shorts or features)
  • Documentary films (shorts or features)
  • Proof of concept films
  • Television pilots
  • Web series and digital series
  • Episodic or limited series projects
  • Experimental or hybrid screen works

Fees + Minimums

The fees to participate in Fiscal Sponsorship are as follows:

  • $50 application fee (non-refundable)
  • 5% administrative fee on all funds raised
  • Filmmakers are responsible for any bank, credit card, payment processor, or wire fees

The minimum budget required for fiscal sponsorship through AWD is $10,000 USD. Projects will not be penalized if they fail to meet their fundraising goal. However, $10,000 must be the minimum budgeted and targeted amount in order to qualify.

How Do People Donate?

Once approved, donations may be made in the following ways:

  • Online donations via AWD’s Fiscal Sponsorship donation page (credit card fees apply and are deducted from funds received)
  • Check donations
  • Wire transfer or ACH 
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Workplace Donation Matching

Upon approval, additional donation method instructions are provided.

How Do I Receive the Funds?

  • Disbursements are issued on every second Friday
  • Disbursements are made by check by default
  • Disbursements may also be made via PayPal, Zelle (maximum thresholds apply), or wire transfer, with all associated fees covered by the filmmaker.
  • Filmmakers may request an account balance update at any time and will receive a response within 24 business hours.

Application Process

Applications may take up to two weeks to review once submitted. The following materials are required:

  • Logline
  • Story summary or synopsis
  • Project stage (pre-production, production, or post-production)
  • List of Key Creative Personnel
  • A written statement describing how the project aligns with AWD’s mission to empower underserved women and gender-expansive voices in film
  • Fundraising plan
  • Copy of Budget (Top Sheets acceptable)

FAQs

  • Why Is There an Administrative Fee? AWD handles all tax documentation related to your project. At the end of the calendar year, AWD will issue tax donation receipts to all donors. Filmmakers are responsible for providing accurate donor contact information.
  • Is There a Contract? Yes. All fiscally sponsored projects are required to sign AWD’s Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement. No amendments can be made to this agreement. You can review the contract here.
  • Budget changes of 10% or more require resubmission and approval by AWD
  • AWD does not assist with fundraising, grant writing, or donor outreach
  • AWD does not provide in-kind donation receipts
  • Recipients must remain AWD Directing Members in good standing for the duration of the project
  • Recipients must carry production insurance during the shoot, including:
    • General Liability of $1 million minimum
    • AWD listed as Additionally Insured on the Certificate of Insurance
  • AWD asserts no ownership over the project and is fully indemnified from legal liability
  • AWD may provide fiscal sponsorship for crowdfunding campaigns through Seed&Spark or Kickstarter. Platform fees apply, and donations are subject to AWD application and administrative fees. Additional documentation is required for donation receipts

Rising Director Fellowship Exception

Rising Director Fellows receive guaranteed fiscal sponsorship for their proof-of-concept films produced during the program with:

  • 0% administrative fee
  • No application or application fee required

Apply for Fiscal Sponsorship

AWD Directing + Ally Members can apply via the Link in their Member Center.

Please review the video in the AWD Member Center under AWD Presents that outlines the Fiscal Sponsorship Application process (link: https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/awd-presents/)

If you have additional questions before applying, please contact us at info@allianceofwomendirectors.org.

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