What is a Fiscal Sponsorship Program?
A fiscal sponsorship program is a legal partnership between a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and an independent project or creator that doesn't yet have its own tax-exempt structure. Under this model, the project operates under the organization's legal and fiscal umbrella, allowing it to receive tax-deductible donations, apply for grants exclusive to nonprofits, and operate with institutional backing without needing to establish its own nonprofit entity.
In other words: it's the bridge connecting film projects with philanthropic capital, legally, quickly, and transparently.
The IBAFAF Cine Fund Model
IBAFAF Cine Fund operates under Model C (Comprehensive), the industry standard for comprehensive fiscal sponsorship. Under this model, IBAFAF:
- Receives and administers donations on behalf of the project.
- Issues tax-deduction receipts to donors.
- Oversees the project's legal and tax compliance with the IRS.
- Provides institutional backing to apply for funds and grants restricted to 501(c)(3) organizations.
In exchange, IBAFAF charges a competitive administrative fee on funds raised, which covers the program's legal, tax, and operational management.
Note: larger-scale projects may be evaluated under an alternative model, negotiated individually based on their needs.
What is it for, and who does it benefit?
For film projects
Filmmakers, production companies, and independent projects — primarily Ibero-American — gain:
1. Immediate eligibility to receive tax-deductible donations, without needing to create their own nonprofit organization.
2. Access to grants and funds available only to 501(c)(3) entities.
3. Institutional backing and credibility with donors, festivals, and investors.
4. Financial and compliance administration, freeing up time to focus on production.
For donors
Individuals and organizations who want to support Ibero-American film gain:
1. The certainty that their donation is 100% tax-deductible.
2. Transparency on how funds are used, since IBAFAF oversees each project.
3. The opportunity to directly support Ibero-American stories and voices from an early stage.
How are projects selected?
Every project that applies to IBAFAF Cine Fund is evaluated by a specialized film industry committee, made up of professionals with experience in production, distribution, and Ibero-American content development.
The committee evaluates each application based on criteria such as project viability, alignment with the fund's cultural mission, creative team, and potential impact. This process ensures that every accepted project meets the highest standards of quality and fiscal eligibility.
Response times
Once an application is submitted, response time varies depending on the volume of applications received, but under normal conditions the committee responds within approximately 10 business days.
IA Tools
Intelligent project selection
Our matching technology analyzes each application and compares it against the organization's goals and mission as a nonprofit entity, prioritizing the projects with the strongest alignment.
This significantly reduces the wait time between application and selection notification.
Automated tax-deduction letters
As soon as a donation is confirmed, the system automatically generates and sends the corresponding tax-deduction letter. This makes the tax benefit reach the donor immediately, improving their experience and driving a higher volume of recurring donors.
Real-time donation transparency dashboard
Every project has a public, real-time dashboard where donors can see how much has been raised, the percentage of progress toward the goal, and updates on the project they're supporting. This constant visibility removes uncertainty about where funds are going and strengthens donor trust at every stage of the process.