About Fiscal Sponsorship (what is it? how does it work?)
What is it?
JenLA’s Fiscal Sponsorship Program is a way for members to finance their short films, documentaries, pilots, feature films and other projects in a manner which allows for contributed production funds to be tax deductible, without themselves having to receive 501(c)3 status.
It is tool to allow members with approved projects to raise funds from third party donors for projects, while allowing these donors to deduct the full amount of their contribution from their tax returns. It is an alternative form of film financing geared specifically towards the independent filmmaker looking to make a film less than likely to receive traditional financing.
JenLA uses the Pre-Approved Grant Relationship (“Model C”).
How does it work?
JenLA members with pre-approved projects may raise funds from outside sources for use exclusively in the production and post production of their project. These funds are donated directly to JenLA, which in turn sponsors the production using the funds donated less a 9% administrative fee. Using this method, the contributions are 100% tax deductible to the donor and the production receives the financing needed to bring their project to life.
As the Fiscal Sponsor for your project, JenLA does not take any ownership of your project, though we welcome any additional donations received from any revenues generated by the film. We do not interfere on your creative vision or control, unless the project breaks our standards and morals agreement as signed by the production prior to receiving project approval.
We do not place a lien on your copyright, or prevent you from future sales or profit from your project. Our primary role is to assure that the money you raise is being properly dispersed and used for the project as intended.
Projects We Sponsor (project criteria)
To qualify for fiscal sponsorship, the project must represent a positive contribution to the JenLA mission. This is not a program designed to create work-for-hire productions, but rather projects of passion that can further the cause of creative expression within the JenLA community.
Additionally, the film’s director or producer/exec. producer must be a JenLA member in good standing and each projects must have at least one other JenLA member in a key role (above the line or department head). Each project will have to go through an application process and receive approval by a majority of the board of JenLA.
For more info see Fiscal Sponsorship in the menu.
