BTTL Fiscal Sponsorship

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN for bttl alumni and bttl x pano pro members

KEY BENEFITS

• Fiscal Sponsorship allows you to apply for grants and receive tax-deductible donations without needing to establish your own 501(c)3 status.

• Enjoy access to BTTL Community perks, including filmmaker networking events, educational workshops, online resources, and discounts on all BTTL Grant Opportunities.

• Get personalized guidance through a one-on-one project consultation with a member of our team.

• Tap into the expertise of a dedicated BTTL advisors with extensive experience in both fiscal sponsorship and independent filmmaking.

• Provide donors with multiple ways to contribute to your project, including checks, online payments, credit cards, crowdfunding, and even employer matching gifts.

• Promote your project with a personalized online donation page.

• Offer tax benefits to donors supporting your crowdfunding campaigns.

• Apply for specialized state and federal grants, such as those offered by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

• BTTL charges a competitive 3% administrative fee on contributions made to selected projects.

WHAT IS FISCAL SPONSORSHIP?

Fiscal sponsorship is a partnership between an existing 501(c)3 non-profit organization and an individual or entity that does not have the legal status required to receive grants from foundations, individual donors, or government agencies.

The fiscal sponsor agrees to provide administrative services, oversight, and assume limited legal and financial responsibility for the activities of individuals or groups whose work aligns with the sponsor’s mission. In this case, the mission is to champion women and gender-expansive filmmakers while promoting passionate storytelling and smart business.

One of the key benefits of fiscal sponsorship is that it allows individuals to access charitable funding for their projects without the time-consuming and costly process of establishing and managing their own 501(c)3 organization. This is particularly valuable for independent filmmakers, for whom creating a nonprofit for a single project is often unnecessary.

Applicants must provide the following materials for review:

• Project Description: Include logline, story summary/synopsis, topic overview, artistic approach, project stage, and timeline.

• Audience and Distribution: Outline your distribution and marketing strategy, along with the intended audience.

• Key Team: Provide bios for key members of the creative team and a list of any attached advisers or consultants.

• Fundraising Strategy: Detail your overall fundraising plan and funds raised to date.

• Budget: Submit an estimated project budget.

• Work Sample: Include a sample of the applicant’s previous work or a current project work sample.

A non-refundable $35 application fee applies. We charge a fee to cover mandatory OFAC checks and administrative processing. *

*All applicants must be a BTTL Alumn, BTTL x PANO Pro Members or referred by a BTTL Team Member.

BTTL seeks distinctive projects from filmmakers of all levels, from first-time directors to veterans of the industry, as long as you are advancing the career of a woman or gender-expansive creative. Our review committee will evaluate the project's artistic and financial feasibility, the team’s experience, and the quality of the overall proposal. Our primary goal is to help you secure funding, complete your film, and ensure it reaches an audience. Your written proposal and budget should clearly demonstrate how you plan to achieve these goals and how your project align’s with BTTL’s mission.

Click the button above to start your application, or visit our FAQ page for more information.