Southern Documentary FundFiscal Sponsorship
SDF is currently sponsoring over 100 inspiring and important documentaries, collaborating closely on getting these projects funded, made, and seen.
Documentary projects made in or about the American South · Artists may apply year-round; application processing takes longer in May and June due to the annual Convening · $45 application fee; 6% administrative cost share on contributed monies plus payment processing fees for online donations; $65 annual Membership fee per project
From southerndocumentaryfund.org/programs/fiscal-sponsorship ↗About this program
The Southern Documentary Fund offers fiscal sponsorship for documentary projects made in or about the American South.
Having a fiscal sponsor allows makers to solicit funds from government agencies, foundations, trusts, individuals, and other philanthropic sources that require IRS nonprofit status in order to contribute to a project. These contributions are then tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. SDF charges a 6% administrative cost share for any monies contributed to projects through our Fiscal Sponsorship program, plus credit card or other payment processing fees incurred for online donations.
Fiscally Sponsored project makers are invited to participate in our mentorship program that includes specialized mentorship from industry experts. You will have access to one-on-one mentorship sessions, work-in-progress feedback, and mentorship roundtables.
Artists are invited to apply to SDF for fiscal sponsorship year-round through our online form at submittable.com. The current application fee is $45.
Criteria for project selection includes: Project Directors connection to subject matter. Feasibility of the project (budget, financing, schedule, and scope). Projects must advance the goals of SDF as stated in our mission and values. Project Directors are responsible for raising funds to support their project.
Questions
What is fiscal sponsorship?
Fiscal sponsorship allows individual artists or production companies to solicit charitable donations for a specific project under the umbrella of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Many foundations and government agencies require that you have a fiscal sponsor to be eligible for grants. As your fiscal sponsor, SDF receives contributions from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies and then makes disbursements for your project. Cash donations received on behalf of your project are tax-deductible for the donor. SDF consults regularly with our sponsored projects regarding fundraising, but our staff does not do grant writing, crowdfunding, or other types of fundraising for you.
Does SDF provide funding to fiscally sponsored projects?
Fiscally sponsored projects are eligible and encouraged to apply for SDF grants, but are not guaranteed funding from SDF.
At what stage of production can I apply for fiscal sponsorship?
You can apply for fiscal sponsorship with SDF at any phase: research and development, pre-production, production, or post-production. Filmmakers have also used SDF as a sponsor for distribution grants or to accept donations to do outreach and related community engagement projects.
I don't live in the South. Can I still work with SDF?
SDF sponsors projects by filmmakers who are living in the South, and/or filmmakers living anywhere in the country or around the world who are telling stories about or related to the American South. You do not need to live in a southern U.S. state to apply for fiscal sponsorship with SDF, but your project must be related to our mission to tell stories about the American South. These guidelines vary when applying for grants, please see specific grant guidelines for eligibility requirements.
Are there fees involved with a fiscal sponsorship?
Yes. There is a one-time $45 application fee. There is also a $65 annual Membership fee charged per project.
Details
- Who
- Documentary projects made in or about the American South
- When
- Artists may apply year-round; application processing takes longer in May and June due to the annual Convening
- Cost
- $45 application fee; 6% administrative cost share on contributed monies plus payment processing fees for online donations; $65 annual Membership fee per project
Run by
Filmmaking GrantsEach year, SDF is proud to award grants to filmmakers telling stories they are connected to, that fully represent the complexity and nuance of the American South.Maker After DarkThe Maker After Dark Series invites documentary makers into an intimate, late-night conversation with industry leaders, creating space to share real experiences, practical advice, and honest insights about the craft and career of filmmaking.
MentorshipThe SDF Mentorship Program is designed to pair filmmakers and industry experts with emerging and new filmmakers.