We provide low-cost nonprofit fiscal sponsorship for media projects so filmmakers can align themselves with a nonprofit partner in order to solicit donations from individuals, foundations, and other grant sources. As a 501c3 since 1989, we provide the educational and fiscal oversight required to allow for tax deductions as regulated under tax law.

We see ourselves as more than simply a fiscal “pass through” organization, but rather as a partner in helping filmmakers get their projects funded and finished throughout the filmmaking journey.

For more information, visit our Fiscal Sponsorship page.

We offer sliding scale consulting services to Filmmakers Collaborative SF members. We also offer referrals and discounts to other specialized consultants.

We offer support with a variety of experienced filmmakers and/or consultants  in the following areas:

• Project Development, including story structure, fundraising strategies, proposal writing, budgeting, and fiscal sponsorship.

• Production, including production plan review and management, suggestions for production and post-production crew, securing archival materials, insurance options, and feedback on treatments, rough cuts and fine cuts. 

• Fundraising, including fiscal sponsorship, development of a fundraising strategy, identifying potential funding sources, writing and reviewing funding proposals, fundraising emails, and crowd-sourced funding strategies and options.

• Distribution & Promotion, including developing a distribution plan, community screening plan, social media plan, working with PBS and other broadcasters, and strategies for finding the right distributor for your project.

• Legal, accounting, and other professional services by professionals that understand the film business and filmmaking.

We present workshops focused on providing filmmakers with the knowledge they need to advance their projects. 

Past workshop topics have included the business of film, fundraising strategy, distribution strategy, and ethical considerations for working with film participants.

In 2023, we launched the For Us, By Us Filmmaker Incubator in collaboration with Re-Present Media. This program supports local documentary filmmakers who are telling personal stories from underrepresented communities in the Bay Area.

We host a virtual monthly drop-in for our members, where members can meet, learn from each other, and move their projects forward.

Each month, there is a selected topic that is the focus of the drop-in.

We often partner with other organizations to offer workshops, incubation programs, and screenings on a range of topics.

See our Events page for upcoming events.

We have a meeting space, screening room access, and occasional meet and greet events throughout the year. We also have a monthly drop-in program.

We have an email newsletter to share articles, funding opportunities, and other news to help filmmakers, funders and communication professionals stay current on the industry. Sign up for our newsletter.

Filmmakers can also check out the Resources List on our website, which we regularly update with articles and guides.