FISCAL SPONSORSHIP

opportunities with the Greater Philadelphia Film Office
Greater Philadelphia Film Office can act as a fiscal sponsor for eligible projects, allowing you to apply for more grants and offering a tax deduction for any donations towards your project. For a modest fee, your project can be more attractive to donors and open doors to new opportunities.
Although it’s a common misconception, fiscal sponsorship does not imply that GPFO funds any projects directly.
Learn if this program could be a good fit for your project in our FAQ, or see our current projects below.

Fiscal Sponsorship FAQ

Fiscal sponsorship refers to the practice of non-profit organizations offering their legal and tax-exempt status to groups engaged in activities related to the organization’s missions. It typically involves a fee-based contractual arrangement between a project and an established non-profit. It does not imply any funding by our organization.
VIEW SAMPLE AGREEMENT
Engaging a Fiscal Sponsor allows you to apply for foundation grants available only to non profits and to offer individual donors a tax deduction for their donation to your project.
It also gives your donors the option of gifting appreciated stocks to your project, giving them enormous tax benefits, the opposite of cashing in their stock, which incurs heavy taxes. For details on this process, contact J.P. Cummins, First Vice President/Investments at Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC. [email protected]
Note that GPFO does not accept donations from crowd sourcing campaigns. We understand that crowdfunding has become an important way for film and media artists to fund their work. However, since these platforms vary greatly on their fees, setup, and tax-deductibility options, we require that any crowdfunding activities (such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, GoFundMe etc.) are carried on outside of the Greater Philadelphia Fiscal Sponsorship program. This allows us to ensure that the Greater Philadelphia Film Office regulations regarding tax-deductibility are met.
GPFO does not accept donations from crowdfunding campaigns. This is because, in our opinion, the combination of the crowdfunding fees and GPFO administration fees leaves the filmmaker at a disadvantage.
We understand that crowdfunding has become an important way for creatives to fund their work. However, since these platforms vary greatly on their fees, setup, and tax-deductibility options, we require that any crowdfunding activities (such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, GoFundMe, etc.) are carried on outside of the Fiscal Sponsorship program. This allows us to ensure that the Greater Philadelphia Film Office regulations regarding tax-deductibility are met.
There is a formal application process which includes an in-depth exploration of your project budget and full business plan, including summary of the project, timeline, fundraising strategy, distribution strategy/intended audience, bios of the principals and any other information that you feel reflects the integrity and viability of your project. The size of the budget is not relevant; the feasibility of your plan to produce the project smartly within that budget is the key. Become acquainted with the sample agreement, then contact Joan Bressler at 215-686-2668 or email [email protected] to discuss your questions and further steps.

Current Projects

American Communion

Light Daughter Productions
Documentary

Between New York & Tennessee: The Irish Pub

Documentary

Champions of Caring

Documentary

Cheesesteak City

Documentary

Civil War Medicine

Documentary Series

Dancing Diplomats L A Story of Art, Identity, & Resistance

Documentary

Dreams of Starlight

Feature Film

Homecoming

Short Film
LOAD MORE PROJECTS

Let’s Get Arrested Again! The Georgia Lakey Documentary

Documentary

Reel Talk Philly

Organization

Studio Jams

Digital Series

The Art of Aviation

Rodehouse Media
Documentary Series

The Fourth Wall

Digital Series

The Golden Mile

Documentary

The Pillow Snake

Film
Short Film

The Styx

This Isn’t Working

Film

Video Store Suicide

Feature Film

What Will Become of Us

(Formerly titled A New Armenia)
PBS Documentary

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Kuyamba Media
Documentary

WHAT IS A BLACK MAN

Documentary

Past Projects

  • A Rising Tide
  • The American Worker
  • Alice Blue Gown
  • Building a Park in the Sky
  • The Computer Wore Heels
  • Cellular Aftershocks
  • Dante’s Paradise
  • Family of Too Many
  • Future Weather
  • Gooch
  • Hell or High Seas
  • Higher Grounds
  • History Making Productions
  • Korean Cultural Foundation
  • Lebanon
  • The Magic South
  • Mona Lisa is Missing: The True Story of the Man Who Stole the Masterpiece
  • Muñe (Previously titled AYAYAY)
  • The Philadelphia Latino Film Festival
  • Philly Pop Music
  • The Philo Project
  • No Prisoners
  • Return Safely
  • Ride To Die
  • Thank You for the Opportunity
  • The Road to Jericho
  • Top Secret Rosies
  • Wyeth
  • America’s First D-Day
  • American Law Journal
  • The American Worker
  • Alice Blue Gown
  • Awesome Fest
  • Badland
  • The Battle of Henry Johnson
  • Beethoven in Beijing
  • Before Hollywood
  • Between New York and Tennessee: The Irish Pub
  • Bucks County, USA
  • Building a Park in the Sky
  • Cellular Aftershocks
  • Che Revisited
  • Clouded
  • The Computer Wore Heels
  • Coppermise
  • Cost of Hunger
  • Dante’s Paradise
  • Dark Forest
  • Digital Dharma
  • DYI
  • Family of Too Many
  • First Day Back
  • Frank Sinatra Walks at Midnight
  • Future Weather
  • The Great Flip Off
  • Gooch
  • Grief Rounds
  • Haenyeo
  • Hell of a View
  • Hell or High Seas
  • Hero Next Door
  • Higher Grounds
  • History Making Productions
  • I Believe in the Devil
  • In the Cold Dark Night
  • Jamie Wyeth
  • Journey to Sanctuary
  • Korean Cultural Foundation
  • Kinderwald
  • Lebanon
  • The Lost Fort
  • Luminary
  • The Magic South
  • Medical Symposium
  • Metronome
  • Mona Lisa is Missing: The True Story of the Man Who Stole the Masterpiece
  • Muñe (Previously titled AYAYAY)
  • Nineteen Steps
  • No Prisoners
  • Over The Bridge
  • The Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival
  • Philadelphia Film Society
  • The Philadelphia Latino Film Festival
  • Philly Gun Fights
  • Philly Pop Music
  • The Philo Project
  • Return Safely
  • Ride To Die
  • Thank You for the Opportunity
  • The Road to Jericho
  • Shot and a Beer
  • Simmer
  • Sleep Demon
  • Small Wonder
  • Somebody’s Fool
  • Sound Heard Round the World
  • Squatter
  • Sung’s Pilgrims
  • Taking Orders
  • Thank you for the Opportunity
  • The World Takes
  • These Will Just Be Places
  • To Orbit Around a Dying Star
  • Top Secret Rosies
  • Uncommitted
  • The Unschooled
  • Vamos Gustavo
  • War is Never Civil
  • Workforce
  • Wyeth

Greater Philadelphia Film Office
City Hall • 1400 JFK Blvd, 7th Floor, Room 702
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: 215.686.2668
E-mail: [email protected]

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American Communion- Light Daughter Productions

American Communion melds intimate portraits of veterans of the US-led conflicts in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, with analysis of historical shifts in American practices of war making. Focusing on personal struggles with soldier identity, family relationships, civilian employment, and post- traumatic stress, this film sheds light on the combat veteran as a living individual, and as a cultural figure, asking critical questions about the relationship between global warfare and life on the home front.

Between New York and Tennessee: The Irish Pub

Built in 1900, 164 St. James Place in Atlantic City ($180 on the Monopoly Board) has only known three different owners in over a century of serving food and spirits. The six-story building has housed the Irish Pub and Inn, (it’s also a summertime hotel) since it was purchased by Cathy and Richard Burke in 1971. It was initially the Elwood Hotel. During the time of Prohibition in America, it was a speakeasy complete with a secret staircase and a trap door. Since the Burke’s purchased it over fifty years ago, they have strived to preserve the features of the space and adorn it with elements of Americana and old Atlantic City.

Champions of Caring

Each one of us can, and must, take an active role in improving our community. Our documentary about Champions of Caring (title to be determined) shares the powerful stories of a group of Champions from Philadelphia who, as teenagers, set out to make an impact locally and globally. Now in their 30’s and 40’s, our Champions continue to be change makers, living and teaching the values of kindness, caring and empathy. Their stories are about how every one of us, regardless of age or background, can create change in the world. Watch our documentary and be inspired to join our movement and become a Champion of Caring. Our action resources linked to the documentary help people of all ages and backgrounds start their own social justice projects.

Cheesesteak City, Produced by Arsenal Mediaworks

“Cheesesteak City,” a feature-length documentary, examines the city of Philadelphia, its people, and the relationship with their iconic sandwich. The story of the cheesesteak has been intertwined with that of contentious politics and intense family drama, and all the while has been a steadfast icon of the Philadelphia tourism industry. Through candid interviews, day-in-the-life and archival footage this documentary shines a light on the colorful families behind the sandwich and the quirky (and changing) city they call home. “Cheesesteak City” is not a story about meat, cheese and bread, but one of loyalty and success, betrayal and heartbreak, progress and tradition, national politics and neighborhood feuds, and most importantly, a city and its people.”

Civil War Medicine

The Civil War marked the birth of modern medicine. New, efficient weapons technology challenged medical treatments and techniques in use since the Middle Ages. A small number of physicians faced one million casualties. They created solutions to the lack of ambulances, skilled nursing care, surgical techniques and record-keeping. A huge, unprecedented civilian volunteer effort helped to heal the physical and spiritual wounds of a nation. This four-part documentary series, Civil War Medicine, adds an important chapter to the annals of American history.

Dancing Diplomats: A Story of Art, Identity, and Resistance

Step into the enthralling world of Dancing Diplomats, a powerful documentary that intertwines the grace of dance with the gritty reality of geopolitical conflict. This film captures the incredible journey of an American-born choreographer as he collaborates with an 85-year-old Ukrainian artist whose revolutionary choreography was blacklisted by the USSR in 1977.
Against the turbulent backdrop of a decade marked by escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, beginning in 2012 and culminating in full-scale war in 2022, Dancing Diplomats unveils the indomitable spirit of cultural resistance. This evocative documentary delves deep into the heart of Ukraine’s struggle, revealing how the country’s national identity has been continuously undermined by Moscow’s persistent attempts at cultural appropriation.
Through the lens of personal stories and national pride, Dancing Diplomats explores the delicate dance between politics and culture. Witness the intimate and emotional battle of Ukrainians as they fight to reclaim their heritage and assert their identity in the face of oppression. This film is a testament to the power of art as a form of diplomacy, resilience, and defiance.
Dancing Diplomats is not just a documentary; it is a tribute to the enduring strength of the human spirit and the unbreakable bond between art and freedom.
A film by Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Henry Nevison.

Dreams of Starlight

Our international drama DREAMS OF STARLIGHT tells the story of Saran, a young Mongolian herdswoman who flees her abusive relationship to pursue her passion for performing – only to see her longtime Hollywood dreams realized by her daughter. It’s a universal story of courage, hope, and perseverance for a modern-day, global audience, slated to shoot in Mongolia, Guam, and Southern California.

Homecoming

Homecoming, a 20-minute short family drama, explores self-autonomy by examining the dynamic between a victory-hungry dance coach, Amber, and her prodigy daughter, Phoebe. After separating from her family to attend college, Phoebe realizes she has been living in her mother’s shadow. As Phoebe begins questioning her intentions, she discovers she does not have the drive or motivation to be a dancer outside of wanting to meet the expectations that have been set for her. The film begins after Phoebe is suspended from a prestigious dance academy. Now, she must return home to confront her confusion, her disappointed family, and her tendency to numb out of reality through substances.

Let’s Get Arrested Again! The Georgia Lakey Documentary

From the age of 12, George Lakey has boldly faced the uneasy.

“In my heart of hearts, I’m a rebel . . . I’m healthiest, most creative and productive when I’m in touch with my rebel self.”

The documentary presents the life and work of this rebel nonviolent revolution activist, a deeply spiritual man who has been guided in life by his ideal of societal transformation.

Our film will move back and forth in time, highlighting specific events of George’s activist life – including building the movement against the Vietnam war, LGBTQ actions, Peace Brigades in Sri Lanka and the more recent Earth Quaker Action Team’s campaign against PNC bank for financing mountaintop removal coal mining. These events/actions will reveal the universal truths of his message and show how we can apply learnings from the past to the actions today, despite our current polarized society.

Reel Talk Philly

Reel Talk Philly is an organization designed to create opportunities in a growing Philadelphia community. Everything we do has that intention at the forefront. The hope is to bring together people across all experiences levels and backgrounds and give them a space to foster connections with other creatives in the industry, all while experiencing an enjoyable happy hour! We host monthly networking events for the film, tv and content creation industry of Philadelphia on the first Friday of each month! We are always looking for more ways to engage with the community and create networking opportunities that are beneficial and enjoyable.

Studio Jams

Studio Jams is a creative, up-close and inside look at the art of making music. It’s a program that is dedicated to presenting interesting and innovative music education. Each episode of Studio Jams features a diverse group of talented jazz and blues musicians, gathered together in a recording studio for the sole purpose of creating fresh, new music. Many are working with one another for the very first time. Viewers watch them rehearse and perform fresh, new material – totally on the spot. Musicians at each session are some of the best in the business…world-class artists, many with strong national and/or international appeal.

The Art of Aviation - Rodehouse Media

The Art of Aviation is a documentary series that highlights the lives and work of aviation artists.Throughout history, wartime artists have been deployed to capture conflicts and given permission to share through their own eyes, the stories of some of the most critical moments in recorded history. They created a window into the lives of soldiers fighting while stationed all over the world. Our goal is to share some of these artists’ stories and to shed light on this field before these first-hand accounts are lost forever. Other episodes in the series will focus on US military art programs, contemporary aviation artists as well as art related to NASA and space travel.Our first episode will take a deep dive into the life and work of Gil Cohen, one of the most influential aviation artists of all time. Gil was a recent art school graduate when he was drafted into the Army and during that time, worked as an artist in military intelligence during the Cold War. After his military service he went on to pursue a successful career as an illustrator and teacher. But it was his love of history, specifically World War II and his fascination with the Mighty Eighth Air Force division that changed his trajectory forever. With a career spanning over six decades, his skill for creating paintings that depict deeply emotional moments in history sets his work apart from other artist.

The Fourth Wall

The Fourth Wall series is a love letter to the lives of actors. The series takes us behind the scenes into the dramatic, comedic, romantic, and emotional lives of performers and other artisans working in the world. Season two of The Fourth Wall highlights the struggles performers and creatives went through during the pandemic. These stories are told through small vignettes that will all be intertwined and depict different struggles of life during the pandemic highlighting Zoom, Tik Tok and Youtube as the new normal for creatives.

The Golden Mile

From White Lyte Productions, the team that brought you the documentary Bazaar of All Nations, this film will follow the historical significance of Baltimore Pike as a major thoroughfare from colonial times through the modern era, focusing on the section known as The Golden Mile. Memorable destinations such as “Playtown Park”, “Charlie’s Hamburgers”, “The Alpine Inn”, “The Fireside Hearth”, “Strawbridge and Clothier” as well as other early car dealerships, restaurants, and shops will be covered.

The Pillow Snake

In the turbulent final months of high school, five teenagers navigate a web of fractured loyalties, buried secrets, and unchecked rage in a decaying small-town landscape. When their close-knit group—The 3rd Rail—collides with rivals and former allies, simmering tensions erupt into acts of violence with irreversible consequences.

Four years later, the spirit of their dead Black classmate returns, forcing them to confront the roles they played in a fateful betrayal that shattered lives and exposed deep divides. Spanning years and perspectives, The Pillow Snake is a raw exploration of guilt, revenge, and the elusive search for redemption in the face of tragedy.

We call it a tale of racism that tests the limits of forgiveness.

The Styx

The Styx is a short film that follows Reese, a young woman who is grappling with suicide, finds that her dark thoughts have opened a conversation with an inquisitive ghost named Lyle. As they journey together, this burgeoning friendship with Lyle may be the only thing that will save Reese. The film tells a story of mental health and isolation. The moving story highlights how important companionship is, and how the kindness of a stranger can change, or even save, someone’s life.

This Isn’t Working

This Isn’t Working follows early twenty-year-olds who are discovering their identities and how love and relationships play into who they are as people. Our main character, Jaden, is a lovesick puppy who hopes to find a partner because love will fix his life. However, as the series develops, he and his friends will come to realize that love isn’t something that magically fixes everything that is wrong with you and your life. Seeking a relationship or validation from people leads to further destruction, and an internalized self-loathing won’t be satiated by another person telling you that you have value.

Taking a cynical approach to the typical Rom-Com format, the main characters do a lot more chasing and failing, going through different dates and interactions, rather than immediately working out romantically with someone. The series takes inspiration from movies like Saltburn, 500 Days of Summer, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Video Store Suicide

In 2007 Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the heyday of the big box video rental store is beyond waning, but local independent Video Shock Warehouse is still holding on. When a routine prank by the employees of VSW pushes one of their customers over the edge and ends in the store’s security camera being broken, it’s just the beginning of a fateful week where the day-to-day business of work throws the state of each employees’ life sharply into focus. Told over the course of seven days, video store suicide is a homegrown slacker epic shot on 16mm. In addition to shooting on location in Bucks County, we are enlisting local talent both in front of and behind the camera. “Be kind, unwind…you’re at VSW, kid.”

What Will Become of Us

100 years after the Genocide, Armenian culture is alive in the United States. But what keeps it alive? Why does it thrive? How do Armenian Americans move into the future while remaining connected to their past? This 60-minute public television (PBS) documentary will look at how culture is passed down from generation to generation, how culture changes over time, and the challenges faced in an ever-modernizing, mainstream American culture.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

In an imaginative one-man show, a theater artist examines his bittersweet South Philadelphia upbringing. Offstage, he embraces a new life as father and husband, determined to give his son a secure foundation. However, contradictions from his childhood nip at his peace of mind. He feels compelled to make sense of the divergent paths blazed by the men in his family—from Jim Crow South to South Philadelphia business empire, incarceration to Islam, and streets to spotlight. Producers: Malkia K. Lydia and Khalil A. M. R. Munir.

WHAT IS A BLACK MAN

What is a Black Man? is the intimate story of Alex, Michael, Uriah, and Clinton, four African-American teenage friends living in inner-city Philadelphia working mindfully to create their own definitions of who they are and who they will become amidst continued controversial portrayals of Black men. Working multiple hours a day writing and producing music, they aspire to become mainstream hip-hop artists without having to compromise their racially and socially conscious message. Their bond deepens as they learn of each other’s struggle with complex family dynamics, mental illness, financial difficulties, and internal doubt. When conflict among them arises, they learn to put aside their differences to overcome their struggles and challenge the current state of hip-hop to continue making the conscious music they have committed themselves to. This feature-length documentary intimately captures the reality of chasing a dream while grappling the effects of living in an inner-city.
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