StoryFund

AIR is a 501(c)(3) multimedia member organization committed to expanding the ecosystem where producers can do their best work. Our mission is to identify, cultivate, and connect mission-driven storymakers across the U.S. and worldwide.

StoryFund, AIR’s Fiscal Sponsorship program, aligns with our mission and values, enabling independent podcasters, projects, and audio producers to advance their work and access a range of fiduciary and administrative support services. Through Fiscal Sponsorship, independent podcasters, projects, and audio producers can recognize contributions as tax-deductible, access relevant grant opportunities, and develop fundraising opportunities designed to sustain and expand their mission-driven work.

NOTE: An AIR membership is required to apply for fiscal sponsorship.

Project Eligibility, Guidelines + Criteria

AIR is committed to supporting charitable projects that move the industry forward by focusing on underrepresented voices, faces, communities, opportunities, and perspectives.

We've identified a need within our membership and the larger freelance audio community that focuses on the limited accessibility to non-profit status and adequate funding. This program aims to provide projects with an interconnected system that supports first-time and ongoing projects, facilitates entry into the field for new projects, makes it easier for small projects to fundraise and establish themselves, and furthers equitable practice for underfunded and underrepresented efforts.

Projects can be at any stage with supporting documentation, including but not limited to a comprehensive budget (we typically require projects to have a budget of at least $10,000), if applicable, a comprehensive production and distribution plan, and a mission that aligns with AIR's. As a fiscal sponsor, AIR wants to be assured that the public interest purposes of all projects we support align with our mission and charitable purpose. The project cannot fall in opposition to our values.

At AIR, we aspire to cultivate a community of learning, mutual support, and accountability. We are more powerful as creators when we connect with, learn from, and collaborate with our peers.
We know diversity, equity, and inclusion must be actively practiced and consistently guide our work. When we aren't hearing from the whole community, we aren't hearing the full story. We believe that newsrooms and media organizations must reflect their communities; we support and hold them accountable for creating conditions that allow diverse voices and nuanced storytelling to thrive.
We value creativity, innovation, and experimentation that move the craft forward. We resource and make space for inventive approaches to multimedia storytelling. We collaborate on technologies, tools, and infrastructures to support and increase the sustainability of our growing audio community.
We invest resources in untold stories and underrepresented storytellers and believe that high-quality reporting and storytelling are essential tools to sustain a civically engaged, democratic society.
We believe in fostering a professional community rooted in shared standards of fair practice, designed to establish a level playing field, fairly value the work of independent media makers, and enable equitable negotiations and meaningful collaborations throughout one's career.

Note: AIR is not a pass-through organization. We are dedicated to supporting meaningful, mission-driven work that aligns with AIR's mission and values.

Project Sponsorship Models

AIR offers two types of fiscal sponsorship: [Direct Project] fiscal sponsorship (sometimes referred to as Model A fiscal sponsorship) and [External Project] A grantor-grantee relationship fiscal sponsorship (sometimes referred to as Model C fiscal sponsorship). AIR generally uses the terms "Model C" and "Model A" to refer to the types of fiscal sponsorship that it provides.

Model A [Direct Project]
The entire project is conducted by an independent contractor with whom the sponsor engages. The sponsor retains and pays the independent contractor with donated funds. The contractor accounts for its income and pays for the expenses.

Model C [External Project]
A grantor-grantee relationship between the sponsor and the project: the project remains a separate legal entity from AIR. This includes both one-time arrangements, enabling a project to obtain the proceeds of a particular grant from a private foundation or donor via a sponsor, and ongoing arrangements where a sponsor receives funds raised over time from individual donors and grants funds from time to time to a project.

Project Benefits + Services

StoryFund is structured with a tone of support and collaboration, exemplified in the variety of program benefits and services. AIR could serve as a home base for any administrative and fiduciary support the project may need, including, but not limited to, managing the project's back-office administration, financial management, and IRS compliance.

AIR overwhelmingly practices Model C of fiscal sponsorship, but can offer additional administrative services under Model A if the project scope requires it and meets the needs of the sponsees.

What are the benefits of Fiscal Sponsorship? (For the Sponsee)

Fiscal sponsorship allows a charitable project to use the sponsor's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status to receive tax-deductible donations
Better fundraising opportunities can be created using the fiscal sponsor's network and expertise. Often, a fiscal sponsor is a well-established 501(c)(3) organization with an extensive network of donors and experience raising funds for charitable purposes. The project benefits from the sponsor's expertise and reputation, enabling it to raise funds more effectively.
Fewer up-front costs. A project seeking fiscal sponsorship is not required to incorporate or acquire its own 501(c)(3) status, saving the project these essential start-up fees.
Use of various services provided by the fiscal sponsor. Fiscal sponsors offer a range of services to projects, including administrative support, website development, accounting, grant writing, and technical assistance. These services can be invaluable to a new project.
Lower insurance costs. In the Direct Model (Model A), the sponsor can purchase a blanket liability coverage for all projects, often at a significantly lower cost than the projects could buy separately.

AIR’s Program Services:

Accountability: As a fiscal sponsor, AIR will serve as the legal and ethical anchor of the project, ensuring that restricted funds are spent appropriately.

Communication: AIR will maintain close communication with funders, donors, and the project leader(s) associated with the project. More importantly, AIR commits to developing an open line of communication with the project leader (s) and the project respondent to establish a strong partnership. This allows AIR to provide maximum support.

Guidance and training: AIR is committed to developing courses and curated content to guide organizations through fiscal sponsorship and non-profit resources. As part of our intake process, project leaders are encouraged to inform us of any areas they would like more information on. This way, our courses and curated content offerings will be relevant and on-brand with the community's needs.

Assessment: AIR is committed to evaluating the quality of its service and continually improving it. We welcome candid feedback from funders, project leaders/sponsees, donors, and key stakeholders.

Promotion and Advertising: AIR features fiscally sponsored projects in our newsletter and will work with you to ensure your project has the reach and visibility it needs.

Donation Page: AIR can develop a custom donation page that allows your project to solicit donations directly from your community.

Donor Management: In addition to a custom donation page, AIR can help you accept and acknowledge individual and institutional donations.

Grant Management: AIR can accept foundation funds for selected projects and will collaborate with you to ensure accurate and timely reporting.

Physical address to receive mail (if necessary): As an accepted part of the program, projects can use AIR's address to receive essential documentation.

IRS Compliance: AIR is responsible for ensuring that we uphold our end of the IRS compliance standards, so that our tax-exempt status remains intact and projects are assured that the work is consistent with the 501(c)(3) designation.

Reasonable fiscal sponsorship fees: Our fees are calculated based on the scope of work and the level of support required by a project (10-15%).

Who can we work with

Existing Organizations: Looking to accept new grants for specific projects or programs. If you are a production company with established financial controls, bookkeeping, and a clear sense of your organizational goals, but not a 501(c)(3) organization, and you want to accept a grant for specific, targeted work, AIR can work with you.

New Organizations or New Work: If you are a wholly new project or an independent professional without an established accounting process, and wish to solicit charitable donations and grant funding for new or upcoming projects.

AIR’s service offerings under Model C :

Managing Project Funder Needs: AIR, in collaboration with the project leader, is responsible for ensuring that the grant guidelines and/or reporting requirements are accurate, comprehensive, and timely.

Fiscal and Accounting Support: AIR will oversee projects' financials by providing comprehensive and timely documents based on project and funder needs, managing and distributing charitable funds in accordance with the agreement, ensuring donor/funder compliance, preparing quarterly financial reports, and issuing tax-deductible acknowledgments. Under this model, the primary objective is to oversee grant management.

Program Direction: Under this model, program direction, including mission, program development, and employee choices, remains under the control of the project/project leader. AIR would step in to help with Board oversight.

HR/Insurance: Under this model, the project/project leader is responsible for General Liability Insurance, Workers' Compensation Insurance, Employer/Contractor Status, and HR Legal Management

Administrative Fee: AIR charges a 10% administrative fee, determined based on the project's budget size and the level of administrative support required.

AIR’s service offerings under Model A

Fiscal and Accounting Support: AIR will assist the project in establishing accounting processes and managing all bookkeeping directly. Per the project leader's instruction, AIR will pay your bills and receive and track earned revenue.

Program Direction: Under this model, program direction, such as mission, program development, and employee choices, remains under the control of the project/ project leader. AIR would step in to help with Board oversight.

HR/Insurance: Under this model, AIR is responsible for general liability insurance, workers' comp insurance, employer/contractor status, and HR Legal Management.

Administrative Fee: AIR charges an administrative fee ranging from 10% to 15%, depending on the scope of services provided and the overall size and complexity of the project.

Application Process

To apply to AIR's fiscal sponsorship program, please complete the following steps:

Become a Professional member of AIR.
Complete the Fiscal Sponsorship Application and attach your budget.

AIR will review submissions on a rolling basis. A decision will be communicated within seven (7) business days of receiving a completed application.

Have you reviewed the FAQ? Do you have additional questions? Please email your name, organization, project title, and questions to [email protected].

Expectations of the Project Leader/Applicant

Mission Fit: Be prepared to detail, in written and or verbal form, the charitable purpose of the project and how it relates to AIR's mission and values.

Proposals: When approaching your prospects, be prepared to present a verbal or written proposal that explains your project, including its purpose, objectives, methodology, evaluation, staffing, and budget. This is similar to a grant proposal. To learn more about writing one, please see our proposal writing resources. Additionally, consider how it advances the nonprofit's mission and explore other potential benefits that may arise from being associated with your project.

Avoiding conflicts of interest: The fiscal sponsor is responsible for ensuring the project leaders understand and abide by their conflict of interest policy.

Active Fundraising: The fiscal sponsor requires accepted projects to fundraise for the project actively.

Note: Projects that are fiscally inactive for a period of six months may be removed from the program.

Project Reporting: The project leader must submit comprehensive and timely project reports in accordance with the fiscal sponsors' guidelines and due dates. Reports are due quarterly.

Project Updates: The project leader must provide consistent and comprehensive project updates in accordance with the fiscal sponsor's guidelines and due dates. It's also a reminder for the project leader to disclose their affiliation with the fiscal sponsor in all communications, including grant proposals and published content.