Click here to Apply for WIFV Fiscal Sponsorship

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The WIFV Board of Directors is pleased to offer a fiscal sponsorship program to support the film and media projects of its members.  WIFV believes this initiative to be a tremendous member benefit and that this program furthers our mission to provide resources for women in the film, television and media industry.

While many fiscal sponsorship programs exist for filmmakers, WIFV presents a known and trusted entity for its members.  We further differentiate our program by offering a mentoring component with accomplished WIFV members, by providing access to the Executive Director and her knowledge of funding resources, and by bringing the power of our programming events and workshops to address key education needs. 

We look forward to the many successful film and media projects that WIFV will help usher into creation through our fiscal sponsorship program.

We have provided a brief overview below of the program, what types of projects are sponsored and how it works.  If you don’t find the information you are looking for here or on the FAQ or Application links, please give us a call at the WIFV office (202) 429-9438, and we will do our best to get you the information you need. 

The WIFV Fiscal Sponsorship Program
The WIFV fiscal sponsorship program is a financial and legal system where our 501(c)(3) public charity provides limited financial and legal oversight for a project initiated independently by a filmmaker. That project must be non-commercial in nature, i.e. not produced solely for financial gain.  Your sponsored project is then eligible to solicit and receive grants and tax-deductible contributions that are available only to 501(c)(3) organizations.  When you get a grant or a charitable donation for your project, you’ll need a partner you can trust.  WIFV is your partner.

Program Eligibility Requirements
Applications will be accepted from current WIFV members only.  WIFV membership is open to men and women in the film, television and media industry. 

WIFV supports fiscally sponsored projects that are consistent with our IRS-approved charitable mission.  Eligible projects for fiscal sponsorship must meet one or both of the following criteria:

• Film and media projects that feature women in key, above-the-line roles (specifically:  producer, director, writer or director of photography); or

• Film and media projects whose subject matter informs and features women’s experiences or points of view.

These projects must be non-commercial in nature, i.e. not produced solely for financial gain.  A preference will be given to projects that do not have investors.

If a member's project is selected for fiscal sponsorship, they must remain a WIFV member in good standing for the duration of the project.  Three letters of recommendation are required.  Please note: current sitting WIFV Board members may not apply for fiscal sponsorship.

WIFV Provides a Nurturing Environment
As a sponsoring organization, WIFV will provide administrative support and oversight on your project’s financial contributions.  We also bring the power of our programming and membership to the sponsored filmmaker by providing one of our accomplished members as a mentor for your project should you request one.  We can tailor specific programs and events around the challenges or issues that may confront you along the way.  We have a vast resource in the diversity and achievements of our membership at large, which provides access to technical information as it is required and insights into current industry trends.  Our members can take comfort in working with a partner that is just as vested as they are in the success of their project.

WIFV office staff time is applied to the financial oversight and administration functions for each sponsored project.  While the responsibility of identifying and targeting funding sources remains with the filmmaker, WIFV staff and WIFV members are an invaluable resource for navigating potential funding sources and providing knowledge about current film funding trends.

The Selection of Sponsored Projects
A WIFV Fiscal Sponsorship Selection Committee of 7 to 9 people will be responsible for evaluating applications and selecting the projects for which WIFV will provide fiscal sponsorship.  This selection committee will be composed of WIFV and non-WIFV members.  The Executive Director is a part of the committee as well as at least two sitting WIFV Board Members.  Other Selection Committee members will be chosen from among WIFV executive members and non-WIFV professionals from national media associations or film-related companies.  The identity of the selection committee members will not be revealed until selection decisions are distributed.

The Application and Selection Schedule
There are two calls for Fiscal Sponsorship Applications per calendar year; one in the spring usually April, and one in autumn, usually September.  A non-refundable Application Fee of $50. is required at the time application.  For 2010, the application deadline dates are:

• April 30, 2010 - for the spring round; and

• September 10, 2010 – for the autumn round.

Upon the application deadline, new applications are reviewed by the WIFV Board of Directors for completeness and eligibility.  Following approval of your application, it will be forwarded to the WIFV Fiscal Sponsorship Selection Committee.  The Selection Committee will meet within 60 days of the application deadline and notification of the results will be forwarded to you within one week of that meeting. 

A fiscal sponsor agreement/contract will be forwarded to the projects selected. Once selected, you can expect to be up-and-running within 2-3 weeks.

Please do not contact any WIFV staff or Board Member with an inquiry about your project’s status during the selection process.  You will be notified as soon as the selection committee results are known.

Costs and Fees
There is a non-refundable Application Fee of $50.  This fee must be submitted with your application on or before the application deadline date. 

For sponsored projects, WIFV will charge a 7% administrative handling fee for all grants and charitable donations.  This fee is competitive with other fiscal sponsorship programs.  Government or National Endowment for the Humanities grants are charged a 10% administrative handling fee based on the compliance requirements in these grants.

Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement/Contract with Filmmaker
The Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement forms a binding contract and defines the relationship between WIFV and the filmmaker.  Reporting requirements are set forth in that agreement.  Statements that assert the filmmakers acknowledgement of avoiding copyright infringement and that indemnify WIFV against copyright infringement, producer’s actions in the field, and any legal actions that might arise, are also part of that Agreement.

The Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement also specifies actions WIFV can take if a project no longer complies with the definition of charitable or non-commercial purposes.  In those circumstances, WIFV will be required to return funds to the donor(s). 

Copyright and Content Issues
Content of the project is the sole responsibility of the filmmaker.  WIFV is not responsible for the application of “fair use” in materials used in the project.  The filmmaker maintains full ownership of copyright in the project.  WIFV will have no editorial input into the project, and WIFV materials, applications and promotional matter should include a disclaimer, as specified in the Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement.

WIFV will require appropriate credit, as specified in the Agreement, for serving as fiscal sponsor, and will also have the right to remove its name from any production.

Questions?
If you feel you need more information than what you learned here or on the FAQ or in the Application Guidelines, please give us a call at the WIFV office (202) 429-9438, and we will do our best to get you the information you need.