How does fiscal sponsorship work?

What is a fiscal sponsorship

Reel Hope fiscally sponsors projects that align with our mission. We have crafted our fiscal sponsorship program for filmmakers because we’ve been on your side. Our first film we produced, Holden On, was fiscally sponsored by another fiscal sponsor. We were unhappy - we saw things as independent filmmakers that could be improved. So… we created REEL HOPE. A place by filmmakers, for filmmakers. As filmmakers and producers ourselves, we know what works and doesn’t work for filmmakers. We tailor crafted our fiscal sponsorship program specifically to fit the filmmaker and producer. Our fiscal sponsorship program is personal; we take a very limited number of projects because we demand that you reach your fundraising goals. You have a film to make. Your story can change the world. Let’s make that happen.

Reel Hope works with social impact, social justice, and cause-based projects.

*Project fees go to support our annual Hope Film Challenge for youth filmmakers. More about the Hope Film Challenge on our blog.

Hope Film Challenge Award Winners

What is a Fiscal Sponsor (Reel Hope)?

A Fiscal Sponsorship is used primarily when a film or media-related project wants to secure funding from individual, foundation, government or corporate sources that give only to nonprofit organizations with IRS tax-exempt status. To be considered exempt, an organization must hold a current 501(c)(3) certificate from the IRS. 

Rather than attempt to secure tax-exempt status, individual filmmakers may contract with a fiscal sponsor to extend tax-exempt status to that specific project. As a Fiscal Sponsor, Reel Hope serves as a conduit for financial resources and provides support and oversight for independently produced projects. 

Reel Hope Fiscal Sponsorship program provides you security of working with an established organization. Reel Hope does not take ownership of any part of the results of the project’s work. As fiscal sponsor, Reel Hope assures that the project will use the grant funds received to accomplish the ends described in the proposal. This is the model of fiscal sponsorship primarily utilized in the arts. 

Reel Hope charges an administrative fee for funds granted through our Fiscal Sponsorship program. This 7% fee covers the cost of running the program and managing donations to your project, including bookkeeping, distribution of funds, reporting to funders, maintaining the website, etc.

*Reel Hope is a dba of 501(c)3 IAMHOLDENON Inc.

*Proud member of Nationwide Fiscal Sponsor Directory