Fiscal sponsorship
Documentary Australia grants fiscal sponsorship to independent documentary filmmakers with a quality social impact project.
Fiscal sponsorship is a formal arrangement we offer to projects that align with our social mission. The agreement allows approved projects to use our Deductible Gift Recipient status, for the purpose of fundraising grants and donations.
This allows you to seek philanthropic grants and solicit tax-deductible donations for your social impact project, documentary or campaign, with the oversight and endorsement of Documentary Australia.
Our mission
We work at the intersection of documentary, philanthropy and social impact.
We exist to support independent documentary filmmakers in utilising their films to create positive change in the world. Our fiscal sponsorship program allows us to elevate projects in all stages of development, production, post-production, distribution, outreach and impact campaigns helping filmmakers who may otherwise not be able to secure the funding they need to see their projects financed, finished and unleashed to have impact.
What we do
As your fiscal sponsor, we accept and administer funds for your project on your behalf. We are legally responsible for the funds received on behalf of fiscally sponsored projects and must ensure that the funds are used for the purposes for which they were donated, as agreed upon between the donor and recipient, and that any donor reporting requirements are met and in a timely fashion.
What we don’t do
Fiscal sponsorship does not mean that we are your producers, fundraisers, or in any way connected to the content or actual production of your project. All artistic and proprietary rights, title, interest in and to the completed project will belong to the Producer and production company.
We, at Documentary Australia are available as a resource to provide suggestions and answer your fundraising questions. As we get many enquiries, we strongly recommend you attend our workshops. We will also be offering online webinars and long form modules with a combination of face to face, online and webinar offerings.
What do we sponsor?
Documentary Australia offers fiscal sponsorship to documentary filmmakers who have a quality social impact project, regardless of education, background or previous credits. Whether this is your first film, or you’ve been making documentaries longer than we’ve been supporting them, if you’ve got a social impact goal, we can help.
Watch the below video to learn more and to hear the answers to some of the FAQs.
Eligibility
- Your project must be a non-fiction film, video or multimedia project. The term “project” is used broadly, and may refer to a one-time project or an ongoing series.
- The project director (or producer) must have an Australian Business Number.
- The project application should reflect your ability to develop a quality project and your ability to identify funding sources.
- Although your film may be on any social issue, the film must have a clear social impact goal and must not reflect values that unlawfully discriminate, according to the UN Declaration of Human Rights.
- Your project must be social issue driven and must not be produced solely for commercial gain.
Terms & Conditions
By submitting an application you agree to be legally bound by the Terms and Conditions.
Please review them carefully before applying.
We charge an application fee of $150 (+GST) to cover administration costs. In return your submission is assessed by the Documentary Australia Board, and if approved, we showcase your project to the philanthropic community for the life of your campaign. In the meantime, we provide access to helpful workshops and resources.
Submitting an application
Simply create yourself a free login via our website, commence your submission, and when you’re ready, pay and submit your application. You can manage all your campaigns via your filmmaker dashboard.
Application submissions are reviewed four times each year. The upcoming application rounds are:
Wednesday 29 January 2025
Wednesday 30 April 2025
Wednesday 6 August 2025
Wednesday 29 October 2025
The outcome of applications at each quarterly round is known approximately six weeks after the close of each round.