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Fiscal sponsorship allows independent film projects to raise funds under the 501(c)(3) status of the Arkansas Cinema Society. Sponsored projects become eligible for grants restricted to nonprofit organizations, and contributions made to them are tax-deductible for the donor.
APPLICATION FORMClick Here to Complete the ApplicationMany foundations, corporations, and government funders restrict their giving to tax-exempt organizations. This requirement places most independent filmmakers outside the eligible pool, regardless of the quality of the project.
Fiscal sponsorship provides a solution. The Arkansas Cinema Society is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. When ACS sponsors a project, it serves as the legal and financial conduit for funds raised on that project's behalf. ACS receives contributions, holds them in a dedicated project account, provides the oversight required by the IRS, and disburses funds to the filmmaker against documented expenses.
Approval changes two things. Donors to the project may claim a charitable deduction, a benefit individual filmmakers cannot offer on their own. And grant opportunities written for nonprofit organizations become available.
The project itself is unaffected. Sponsored filmmakers retain full ownership, creative control, and decision-making authority over their work.
The Arkansas Cinema Society supports independent filmmakers throughout the life of a project, from development through release. Fiscal sponsorship complements our workshops, labs, mentorship programs, and Filmland, and provides the funding access that makes the rest possible.
Applications are accepted and reviewed year-round. Most applicants receive a decision within 2 weeks.
The Arkansas Cinema Society's fees are among the lowest in the industry.
Approved projects receive a public profile page where prospective donors can review project information and contribute by credit card.
Sponsored projects receive access to an administrative site where they can view their account balance and donation history.
All projects participating in the program must fit within the ACS mission and organizational guidelines. Contributions to a 501(c)(3) are deductible for federal income tax purposes to the extent allowed by law.
No. Contributions received and disbursed by the Arkansas Cinema Society will likely be treated as income by the IRS. ACS issues Form 1099-MISC for total payments exceeding $600 in a calendar year to each project, except when the project is a corporation. An LLC is treated as a partnership unless ACS receives written notification that each member of the LLC is a corporation. Applicants should consult a tax advisor regarding their specific liability.
The IRS requires ACS to confirm that project activities are conducted in accordance with its regulations, and to establish discretion and control over the contributions it receives. ACS also needs to determine that a project fits its mission and guidelines before serving as its sponsor. Once an application is approved, a sponsorship agreement is signed by the project's representative and the Arkansas Cinema Society to begin the relationship.
A donor contributes to the Arkansas Cinema Society with the recommendation that ACS grant the funds to a specific project. ACS is responsible for confirming that those funds are used to produce the work and that all tax-reporting requirements are met. Sponsored projects submit receipts documenting that funds are being spent on the creation of the work. This system is what allows the IRS to recognize the contribution as tax-deductible.
No. Sponsorship by the Arkansas Cinema Society does not make a project or production company a tax-exempt organization.
Yes. A sponsored project remains a separate legal entity and is not part of the Arkansas Cinema Society. The filmmaker retains creative control, ownership, and responsibility for tax reporting and liability.
No. The Arkansas Cinema Society is unable to accept in-kind contributions, such as donations of goods or equipment, or to issue a charitable gift letter for them.
Corporate sponsorship refers to support, usually money or materials, given directly to a project, often with an expectation of something in return such as advertising or publicity. Many of those same corporations maintain separate philanthropic programs that give only to tax-exempt charitable organizations. Those programs will not fund a non-exempt filmmaking project directly, but they may fund it through a fiscal sponsor. A fiscally sponsored project is able to solicit tax-deductible contributions from these foundations, corporations, and government organizations.
A 501(c)(3) organization, commonly called a charitable organization, must be organized and operated exclusively for the exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and none of its earnings may benefit any private shareholder or individual. It may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities, and it may not participate in campaign activity for or against political candidates.
Projects must be non-commercial work, meaning work that can be financed through personal funds, donations, grants, corporate sponsorship, and in-kind support, but not through offering investment for profit. Eligible projects fall into one of the following categories:
Please note: Applicants must have an American Social Security Number (SSN) or American Employer Identification Number (EIN) to be eligible for this program.
ACS selects artistic work that fits the Arkansas Cinema Society mission and is supported by a clear, professional written project proposal and budget.
Applicants should demonstrate a working understanding of fiscal sponsorship. The fundraising strategy section of the application should state clearly how sponsorship will help the project secure funding.
Projects seeking to raise under $15,000 through fiscal sponsorship must have at least one donation or grant already identified that requires a fiscal sponsor.
