OL:M Fiscal Sponsorship Program
The On Location: Memphis Fiscal Sponsorship program provides financial services, music licensing / scoring services, competitive administrative fees, and the dependability of working with an established filmmaker support organization.
OL:M uses Fiscal Sponsorship Model C: Pre-Approved Grant Relationship in accordance with the guidelines provided by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. In the Pre-Approved Grant Relationship fiscal sponsorship model, the fiscally sponsored film does not become an asset belonging to OL:M, the sponsor. It remains the property of the production company which is a separate entity responsible for managing its own tax reporting and liability issues. OL:M does not take ownership of any part of the results of the project’s work. As fiscal sponsor, OL:M 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.
OL:M charges an administrative fee for funds granted through our Fiscal Sponsorship program. This 6% 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.
Fiscal Sponsored Projects are eligible for free music licensing and/or scoring services from the Memphis Music Banq as funds are available.
Elements we look for in FILM projectS we sponsor
- Project tells a compelling story
- A well-written proposal that follows the application instructions and gives a clear picture of the film’s story and themes
- Project director and/or team are experienced and capable of completing the project
- Audience is identified with a realistic plan for reaching and engaging that audience
- Project has a realistic and well-planned fundraising strategy for using fiscal sponsorship, fundraising outside of the fiscal sponsorship program, and a reasonable chance of raising sufficient funds to complete the project
- Industry standard formatted budget is thorough and realistic
Eligibility
- Applicant must be a current member of The Auteur Club.
- Project must represent an artistic contribution to the film or media art form.
- Applicant must be a producer and/or director of the project, must hold artistic, budgetary, and editorial control, and must own the copyright of the proposed project.
- Project must be in post-production.
- Must be seeking funding from individuals, foundation, government or corporate sources that give only to nonprofit organizations with IRS tax-exempt status. Crowdfunding campaigns to be combined with fiscal sponsorship are also eligible.
- Applicant must live in the United States and be a U.S. citizen.
Fees
- The Auteur Club membership ($50/yr)
- One-time Fiscal Sponsorship Application Fee ($35)
- Administration fee of 6% on funds raised
- License at least one soundtrack for the film project from the Memphis Music Banq
Online donations incur a credit card processing fee of 2.2% plus $0.30 for each transaction. This fee is passed on from the credit card processor and is not an OL:M fee. Online donors have the option of covering the PayPal fee.
What is Fiscal Sponsorship?
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, On Location: MEMPHIS, Inc. serves as a conduit for financial resources and provides support and oversight for independently produced film projects.
OL:M Fiscal Sponsorship PROGRAM Mission
To provide independent filmmakers with education in the area of music licensing and scoring while creating another means for filmmakers to raise money for their film projects.
OL:M Fiscal Sponsorship Program Vision
To see indie filmmakers turn to OL:M for fundraising support, and the Memphis Music Banq, for all of their film, soundtrack and scoring needs.
On Location: Memphis creates economic drivers for the film, music & arts community, teaching entertainment business through real-life application.
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