The Fleishhacker Foundation makes grants to film and
video projects in its Small Grants in the Arts program.
Please obtain complete application guidelines for further detail on
the type of grants made and application review criteria. The Foundation
is more interested in supporting an artist’s vision
than educational documentaries. The Foundation only funds the post
production phase of the project (i.e. principal photography
is complete and a sample of the current work is available). We are interested
in artists at any point in their careers; we do not make grants
to film students. Most grants are in the range of $1,000 -
$5,000. Artists may only apply once for any given film project.
In Film & Video, the Foundation is interested
in supporting local artists who are creating a body of work over time.
Artists apply for a grant to support one of their current projects,
using a fiscal sponsor organization. We prefer that
a Bay Area arts organization serve as the fiscal sponsor. A letter from
the fiscal sponsor stating the terms of their support and their agreement
with the artist must be included with the grant application.
There are two review cycles per year. Deadlines
for grant proposals are January 15 deadline for May
decisions, and July 15 for November decisions. Be sure
to request current application deadlines before applying, as the dates
may change in future cycles.
When filling out the application form,
include contact information for both the fiscal sponsor and for the
filmmaker. The annual budget size question relates to the fiscal sponsor.
However, artists who keep annual financial records for their production
company should also attach the most recent financial statement. Filmmakers
should answer only the questions that pertain to their project and ignore
questions not relevant (those directed to organizational applicants).
Applicants can selectively answer the questions and add their
own brief narrative of 1 or 2 pages (maximum) if they wish.
The required attachments are: a film
sample (see below), a filmography, and a complete project budget from
the filmmaker. From the fiscal sponsor we need an annual organizational
budget, financial statements, board of directors list, and tax-exempt
status letter. In the case of Film Arts Foundation and Bay Area Video
Coalition sponsored projects, we only need the letter indicating they
are supporting the project, not the organizational attachments. Please
note that all our letters go to the fiscal sponsor, and they are responsible
for informing filmmakers of the status of their grant proposal.
Our review committee will assess the project’s
artistic clarity and craft from the sample tape. The
work-in-progress sample is required. A piece of approximately 10 to
15 min. is accepted, as is a full length sample, cued to a representative
section. A completed past film in a similar style as that of to the
proposed project may also be submitted. The tape should be clearly labeled
and identified, with a return postage-paid mailer. Artists may also
include a statement about the status of the work-in-progress (e.g. final
sound mix not added, rough cut, etc.).
Fleishhacker
Foundation, P.O. Box 29918, San Francisco CA 94129-0918
415/561-5350 www.fleishhackerfoundation.org