BTTL Fiscal Sponsorship:
All donations to Fiscally Sponsored Projects are tax-deductible for U.S. residents.
Unlock funding opportunities and resources to guide your project from early stages to lasting impact.
Who Can Apply?
You must be a BTTL Alumn or referred by a BTTL Team Member or Advisor in order to apply for our fiscal sponsorship program, which is open to independent narrative and documentary projects of any length and at any stage of development, as long as they advance the career of a woman or gender-expansive filmmaker. BTTL also supports a variety of other projects and organizations aligned with our mission, including those in the process of obtaining 501(c)3 status, such as interactive media initiatives, film festivals, and more. Applicants from outside the U.S. are eligible to apply.
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.
- 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.
All applicants must be a BTTL Alumn 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.
