Fiscal Sponsorship Program
Supporting Independent Film and Creative Projects
French In Motion’s Fiscal Sponsorship Program is designed to support independent filmmakers and creative teams developing projects that serve a public interest and align with our nonprofit mission.
Through fiscal sponsorship, selected projects may raise tax-deductible charitable contributions in the United States under French In Motion’s nonprofit status, without the need to establish their own 501(c)(3). This structure allows creators to focus on their work while benefiting from a compliant and established nonprofit framework.
Supporting Independent Voices Across Borders
French In Motion’s Fiscal Sponsorship Program exists to support independent filmmakers and creative projects that advance cross-cultural dialogue, artistic innovation, and socially engaged storytelling.
Through this program, selected projects may raise tax-deductible charitable funds in the United States under French In Motion’s nonprofit status, without having to form their own 501(c)(3). This allows creators to focus on making meaningful work while we take care of the administrative framework that makes nonprofit fundraising possible.
What Fiscal Sponsorship Is — and Is Not
Fiscal sponsorship is a formal nonprofit partnership. French In Motion acts as the administrative and fiduciary sponsor of funds raised for charitable purposes, while the project team retains full creative control and ownership.
French In Motion:
Does not produce, finance, or own your project
Does not control creative or editorial decisions
Our role is to responsibly receive and manage charitable funds in support of your project’s mission-aligned activities.
What We Provide
French in Motion will provide fiscal and legal back-office services only, including:
Acceptance of tax-deductible donations (credit card via Zeffy, check, wire)
Issuance of IRS-compliant donation receipts (501(c)(3))
Execution of foundation forms and nonprofit letters of intent
Dedicated financial tracking per sponsored project
Disbursement of funds to sponsored projects (ACH or check)
Simplified annual financial reporting
Eligible Projects
We welcome applications from filmmakers and creative teams whose projects:
Documentary, independent fiction, or impact-driven audiovisual projects
Non-commercial projects serving a public or educational interest
Realistic budget and production timeline
Project leads eligible to receive U.S. funds
No fully locked commercial distribution (with flexibility)
Fundraising Guidelines
Fiscal sponsorship applies to charitable contributions and grants intended to support the public-interest aspects of your project.
Certain types of revenue — such as equity investment or purely commercial income — may fall outside the scope of nonprofit sponsorship. We encourage applicants to discuss their funding strategy with us early so we can ensure alignment and compliance.
Program Fees
French In Motion’s fiscal sponsorship fees are designed to remain accessible, transparent, and aligned with industry standards, while covering the real administrative and compliance costs required to operate a responsible nonprofit program.
Application / Membership Requirement — $60
Projects entering the Fiscal Sponsorship Program must either:
Hold an active French In Motion membership, or
Pay a one-time application fee of $60
Administrative Fee — 6% Flat
French In Motion retains a 6% flat administrative fee on funds raised through the fiscal sponsorship program.
NO Credit Card FEES
Credit card donations are processed through Zeffy, a fundraising platform built specifically for 501(c)(3) organizations.
Zeffy charges no transaction or processing fees, donors may optionally choose to leave a voluntary contribution to Zeffy to support the platform.
It means that 100% of each donation is allocated to the sponsored project.
Other Payment Methods
French In Motion also accepts:
Checks
Wire transfers
These methods are commonly used by foundations and institutional donors and remain fully supported under the fiscal sponsorship program.
Interested in Applying?
The application process is designed to be straightforward and transparent.
Submit the Fiscal Sponsorship Application
Provide required materials (project description, budget, team bios, fundraising plan)
Applications are reviewed internally, without an external jury, for mission alignment, feasibility, and capacity
Selected projects will receive a sponsorship agreement and onboarding materials to begin fundraising.