Fiscal Sponsorship allows your non-commercial project to apply for funding from organizations that require non-profit status. Non-profit tax-exempt status is required by many foundations, corporations, and government agencies in order to be eligible for funding, since many do not accept application proposals from individuals. Additionally, 501(c)(3) status allows you to receive charitable deductible contributions from individuals, which is a major incentive for individuals considering making a donation to your project.
As your fiscal sponsor, Scribe acts as a non-profit tax-exempt umbrella organization that accepts and administers contributions made to your project. Scribe charges a fee of 4.25% of contributions made to your project. Fiscal sponsorship does not provide grants or do research for individual project funding.
Scribe's fiscal sponsorship policies have been set by Scribe's Board of Directors, who consult with staff in making the fiscal sponsorship selections. We hope these Policies and Guidelines will answer your questions about our fiscal sponsorship program. In addition, Scribe staff are available to speak with the prospective applicant about project specifics and applications.
The selection process requires the project director/producer to go through a number of steps, including becoming a member of Scribe Video Center, submitting to Scribe a formal, written application with supporting materials. There is no application form and no required format for the written application or supporting documents, but the application must include all the information suggested by these Policies and Guidelines. There is no specific deadline for an application, but the project director should contact Scribe (215-222-4201 or email alexia@scribe.org) before beginning to prepare the application. In even a short conversation, we can usually get a good sense of the project and give the prospective applicant some help for preparing the application.
Applicant's Name and Contact Info
Applicant's Bio that represents the ability to complete this project
Title of Project
Logline
Project Description
How does this project fit within Scribe's mission
Project Stage and Timeline
Fundraising Strategy
Budget
Work Sample
Each year, Scribe Video Center agrees to serve as fiscal sponsor for a small number of independent media arts projects. Scribe does this in keeping with its mission, which is to explore, develop, and advance the use of video, film, audio, and interactive technology as artistic media and as tools for progressive change.
As fiscal sponsor to an independent media arts project, Scribe administers some portion of the funds raised to support the project. This means that, by agreement between Scribe and the project director, Scribe agrees to accept, hold, and disburse a portion of the funds raised for the project. It does this in accordance with contract, budget, and other terms and documents that Scribe and the project director agree to follow. It is important to note that Scribe does not act as a fiscal sponsor for the entire project, but only for the agreed-on portion of the project funding. Scribe does not have any responsibility to raise funds for the project. Scribe assumes no liability for debts incurred by the project or the project director. Scribe does not employ the project director or crew.
A succinct—but—complete — application is better than a long one, and it should be presented to Scribe in a format that makes it easy for us to share with the selection committee. The applicant's work sample should be uploaded to an online platform. Please provide the password, if necessary. When Scribe has agreed to sponsor an independent project, Scribe staff will meet with the project producer or director to discuss the project in detail and to work out the specific terms of the sponsorship agreement. Then, Scribe will prepare a formal and legally binding contract that must be signed by Scribe and the producer or director of the project. We want to make clear that these Policies and Guidelines are not intended to be and are not a sponsorship agreement, and that the final agreement will contain very specific terms that govern the sponsorship obligations of Scribe and the project director.
So, please read the following Policies and Guidelines carefully. Then, give us a call, email, or come in to see us so we can discuss your next steps toward fiscal sponsorship. And thanks for your interest in Scribe Video Center.
The director agrees to use his or her best efforts to produce the project, including using those best efforts to raise all the funds that the project will require.
The project director must be a member of Scribe Video Center and have the ability to complete the project, as demonstrated by previous experience and a clear work plan for the project being proposed. The project director must have a clear and realistic strategy for completion, including fundraising and a production schedule.
A selection committee made up of Scribe staff and board members reviews and decides on sponsorship applications.
The sponsorship lasts one year (but it may be renewed).
If the project is not completed, then the project funds must be returned to the funder/s, but Scribe retains its fee.
The project director may apply to Scribe more than once, even for a project for which Scribe served as sponsor and which the producer did not complete during the term of a previous sponsorship.
In general, they are as follows:
If requested, the project director must submit periodic financial and narrative reports to Scribe.
As do virtually all fiscal sponsors, Scribe charges a modest fee of 4.25% to cover the costs of its bookkeeping, administration, and other activities.
The project director generally holds the copyright on the completed work, subject to federal copyright and other laws.
