Do you need funding for your film or video production?  The Big Picture Film & Video Foundation is pleased to now offer Fiscal Sponsorship to qualifying film-related organizations, and student and independent filmmakers seeking federal funding for qualifying film and television productions. 

 
Click here to download Fiscal Sponsor Application

What is Fiscal Sponsorship?

Fiscal sponsorship refers to the practice of non-profit organizations offering their legal and tax-exempt status to groups or individuals engaged in activities related to the organization's missions.  It typically involves a fee-based contractual arrangement between a project and an established non-profit.

Through fiscal sponsorship, you may qualify for federal funding or tax exempt donations for your film project by applying for grants made to individuals through a fiscal agent.  The Big Picture Film & Video Foundation is a nonprofit charitable 501(c)(3) organization which qualifies for federal funding.  As an individual or entity seeking funding, applicants may be able to get funding for their project through our fiscal sponsor program.

For additional general information about how Fiscal Sponsorship works, click here to read the Foundation Center’s tutorial on Fiscal Sponsorship: http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/fiscal/index.html.

What types of projects are supported by The Big Picture Foundation?

Fiscal sponsorship is available through the Big Picture Foundation to individuals or organizations whose project aligns with our goals and activities of film production in Georgia.  This will be determined during the application process.  Types of projects include documentary films, student films, educational or other projects which include film festival or a filmmaking or video production component, etc.

What are the eligibility criteria for fiscal sponsorship?

Individual applicants for fiscal sponsorship must reside in Georgia.  Organizations must be located in Georgia.   Student applicants must submit proof of current enrollment in a school located in Georgia along with fiscal sponsor application to qualify for $15.00 discount of application fee (see fees below).

What is the application process?

·         The applying organization, filmmaker or individual will submit an application for fiscal sponsorship, along with the appropriate fee (see fees below).

·         The Big Picture Foundation will review the application per the fiscal sponsorship application review deadline (see below) and reply to the applicant typically within 7-14 days.

·         Once accepted, The Big Picture Foundation will prepare a Fiscal Sponsorship Agreement to be signed (or executed) by The Foundation and the applicant.

·         Once the agreement is executed, the applicant can begin searching for grants to apply for.  The applicant is fully responsible for finding and completing all the grant applications, indicating THE BIG PICTURE FILM & VIDEO FDN as the tax exempt grantee.

·         The applicant must submit the completed grant paperwork including any supporting documentation or application fees (if applicable) to The Big Picture Foundation at least 2 weeks prior to the grant application deadline for which they're applying.  This is necessary for us to have time to review the materials and make sure the information is accurate and complete.  We will then submit the grant paperwork to the funding organization (grantor).

·         Once the application is approved and funded by the grantor, the Foundation will receive the funds and retain a pre-determined administrative fee of the grant amount awarded (see fees below).

·         The balance of the grant funds will then be forwarded to the applicant.  

·         The applicant will submit quarterly reports to The Big Picture Foundation on the use of the funds and also complete any follow up reporting required by the grantor.

·         Applicants for fiscal sponsorship must be renewed annually, particularly for grants which cover multiple years.

What fees are involved?

FOR ORGANIZATIONS:

A non-refundable $100 application fee submitted with the application, plus a 15% administration fee of the grant amount, to be collected when the grant is funded.

FOR INDIVDUALS:

We charge a non-refundable $50 application fee submitted with the application, plus a 10% administration fee of the grant amount, to be collected when the grant is funded.

FOR STUDENTS:

The individual application fee is discounted to $35 to be submitted with the application along with proof of enrollment (copy of student ID indicating valid dates), plus a 10% administration fee of the grant amount, to be collected when the grant is funded.

When are the application deadlines?

Fiscal Sponsor applications are received year round and typically reviewed quarterly.  Applicants are notified before the end of the month following quarterly deadline, as follows:

 Applications                      Will be reviewed

Received by                       and notified by    .

   Mar 31                                     Apr 30

   Jun 30                                      Jul 31

   Sep 30                                     Oct 30

   Dec 31                                     Jan 31

Grant deadlines are determined by the grant applied for.  The Big Picture Foundation will establish a grant review deadline of 2 weeks prior to the grant deadline to have time to review the application prior to submission.  For example, a grant with a deadline of October 31 should be submitted to the Foundation by October 15 for us to review and then submit to the grantor.

Brief description of our organization:

The Big Picture Film and Video Foundation is a Georgia non-profit established to connect students and industry newcomers with the “big picture” of the Georgia film and visual media production community.  The Georgia BIG PICTURE Conference (GABPC) is the Foundation’s signature event, comprising of 2 days of educational sessions and networking with industry professionals and peers – encouraging attendees to become active in local industry organizations as they prepare to enter the film and visual arts labor force. 

Resources we provide:

The Big Picture Foundation provides year-round programming for individual filmmakers, students and film/video educators, residents and visitors to the metro Atlanta area.  Beginning this year, The Big Picture Foundation will provide fiscal sponsorship to qualifying independent filmmakers and student filmmakers and film-related organizations to be able to get funding for their film, festival and film-related projects.

Contact Information:

The Big Picture Film & Video Foundation

Nancy Howard, Exec. Director

4480 S. Cobb Dr., Suite H-176, Atlanta, GA 30080

Tel/Fax:  770.819.9635

Email:  nhoward@gabpc.com or bigpicturefdn@gmail.com

www.gabpc.com