Grants Requests
What we provide, what you are responsible for, about the grant application process and readiness checklist
If a film project is approved via our Fiscal Sponsorship program it is able to raise philanthropic funding through Documentary Australia.
Documentary Australia holds Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status with the Australian Taxation Office, allowing approved projects to seek philanthropic grants and solicit tax-deductible donations with the oversight and endorsement of Documentary Australia.
This allows filmmakers to access funding that is normally unavailable to individuals, as many foundations, corporations and government agencies will only award grants to not-for-profit organisations.
Found a grant?
- Submit grant applications on your behalf, where appropriate and subject to assessment for grant alignment and eligibility, using our Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status
- Complete the applicant and organisational information on your final application, and submit it to the funder
- Receive and administer donations on your behalf, for their intended purpose
- Confirm donor reporting and compliance requirements are met
- We also offer workshops and resources to help you develop your skills in fundraising
What are you responsible for?
As the filmmaker, you are responsible for:
- Researching and identifying prospective donors and grant opportunities
- If you identify a grant that you believe you are eligible for, it is your responsibility to submit a grant request form at least four weeks before the grant deadline
- Updating your Documentary Australia film project page regularly (log in here). We also advise that you update your donors on your progress
- We encourage you to attend workshops and explore our resources to develop your skills in finding suitable grant opportunities and to strengthen your fundraising approach
Important information
- Documentary Australia does not write grant applications. The film team is responsible for drafting the grant application. We can then submit it with our organisational details
- Please do not enter Documentary Australia’s name, address or financial information into any application forms
- All grants are subject to the retention rates outlined in our Terms and Conditions
- Documentary Australia does not actively search for grants or fundraise on behalf of filmmakers unless you are selected for one of our programs
Grant application process
Review the grant readiness checklist below.
Submit a grant request form at least four weeks before the grant due date.
Documentary Australia will confirm eligibility and a website link will be sent for you to submit your materials.
Prepare a Word document with a draft grant application and send it to Documentary Australia.
Documentary Australia will review the draft application, add our organisational details and submit.
Grant readiness checklist
☐ I have reviewed Documentary Australia’s fundraising resources on philanthropy, seeking funding, and funding proposal preparation on the Documentary Australia website.
☐ I have read the Grant Guidelines in full, including eligibility criteria and exclusion criteria.
☐ The grant round is currently open, and I have confirmed the opening and closing dates.
☐ I have allowed at least four (4) weeks’ notice for Documentary Australia to review and submit the application on my behalf.
☐ My project meets the geographical requirements of the grant.
☐ I have checked all exclusions and confirmed that my activity, project stage, and budget items are eligible.
☐ The grant accepts unsolicited applications, or I have been invited to apply and can provide details of this invitation if required.
☐ My Documentary Australia fundraising web page is up‑to‑date and funder‑ready, including accurate funding requirements
☐ My project clearly aligns with the funder’s mission, vision, and objectives.
☐ I have reviewed projects previously funded by this organisation and considered how my project is similar or distinct.
☐ I have identified any required endorsements, approvals, or letters of support and confirmed who will provide them and when.
☐ I understand that Documentary Australia does not write grant applications and may decline to submit applications that are not eligible or funder‑ready.
Grants Requests FAQs
Filmmakers are responsible for researching and identifying grant opportunities. Documentary Australia does not actively search for grants on behalf of individual projects unless you are selected for one of our programs. We do offer workshops, resources, and guidance to help strengthen your fundraising and grant strategy.
We can support eligible grants open to not-for-profit applicants, that align with our charitable purposes and your project’s objectives. Each grant is assessed individually to confirm eligibility and alignment before we agree to submit.
Some grants may be ineligible due to:
- Exclusion criteria in the grant guidelines
- Geographic restrictions
- Grants that do not accept unsolicited applications
- Activities that fall outside our charitable purposes
We recommend reviewing the individual grant’s guidelines carefully before contacting us.
Yes. For projects approved through our Fiscal Sponsorship program, Documentary Australia can act as the legal applicant for eligible grant opportunities. This allows filmmakers to access funding that is typically only available to not-for-profit organisations.
No. Filmmakers must not submit grant applications using Documentary Australia’s name, address, or financial information. Only Documentary Australia can complete and submit applications where we are the applicant.
No. The film team is responsible for writing the grant application. Documentary Australia can complete organisational information, review the final application, and submit where required.
If you would like Documentary Australia to submit a grant application, you must submit a grant request form at least four weeks before the grant deadline. This allows time for us to do eligibility checks, complete organisational information, and review the application prior to submission.
When you identify a grant opportunity, please begin by completing our grant request form. It is important you review the grant readiness checklist before completing the form. If you wish to proceed, you will be asked high-level information about your film project and the grant opportunity, including the funder, eligibility criteria, and timelines. We will then assess whether the grant is suitable and whether Documentary Australia can support the application.
At this stage, you do not need to submit a fully written grant application. We will determine eligibility and alignment before you invest time in preparing a full application.
Once we receive your grant request form, Documentary Australia will review the information to confirm eligibility and alignment with our charitable purposes, whether we can act as the applicant for the grant, and whether there is sufficient time for review and submission. If we agree for you to proceed, we will invite you to submit the full written grant application for our review. If we are unable to support the application, we will let you know as early as possible.
Yes. All grants are subject to Documentary Australia’s standard 5% retention rate, as outlined in our Terms and Conditions clause 7. This contributes to the administration and compliance costs of managing grants and donations.
If a grant is successful, Documentary Australia will receive the funds and administer them in line with the grant agreement. Funds are then allocated to your project and reported in accordance with our standard processes and obligations.
Fiscal sponsorship is a formal arrangement we enter into with quality, approved documentary projects that enables filmmakers to raise philanthropic funding for their project through Documentary Australia.
Our Fiscal Sponsorship program is open to documentary projects that are consistent with our charitable purposes. Projects may be at any stage — from development through post-production, impact and outreach — from emerging and established filmmakers alike.