Center for Independent Documentary Inc.

Center for Independent Documentary Inc.

55 Green Street
Newton, MA 02458
(339) 364-1277
Website: www.documentaries.org

Contact:
Susi Walsh
Executive Director
susi@documentaries.org

Year organization became a 501(c)(3): 1981
Year of first fiscal sponsorship: 1983
Number of sponsored projects: 123

Fiscal sponsorship fee:
5% of all funds raised that come to our organization for the project.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Aligned mission/values
  • Type of service
  • Other: Ability of the project director, strength of the idea.

Types of projects or services we sponsor:

  • Other: We are involved in the production of documentary programs that cover issues related to many of the areas listed above. In addition to the films themselves, we usually mount a public outreach campaign that engages many different constituencies related to those issues. We are involved in the production of documentary programs that cover issues related to many of the areas listed above. In addition to the films themselves, we usually mount a public outreach campaign that engages many different constituencies related to those issues.

Services we offer projects:

  • Other: The CID staff, Executive Director Susi Walsh and Director of Operations Mira Simon provide support during every stage of a project’s life. During development, we work closely with filmmakers to help them develop their budgets and strategize around fundraising. We provide detailed feedback on grant proposals, pitch decks and other fundraising materials with the goal of helping filmmakers crystallize their ideas and articulate them in compelling ways. During production we offer technical and creative support, connect filmmakers with vendors and organize work-in-progress screenings. We advise filmmakers as they navigate distribution and help them to craft powerful outreach and engagement campaigns. In addition, CID oversees the finances and manages the bookkeeping for each project. We pay vendors directly and closely track all expenses and income, providing filmmakers with weekly financial reports.

Organization description:
The Center for Independent Documentary was founded in 1981 with a mission to create media that address the profound challenges in our world by collaborating with independent artists whose unique vision and storytelling spark viewer engagement at both the personal and community level.  Our partnerships with filmmakers from all over the United States have resulted in the creation of more than 350 films that have been seen on PBS, HBO and at the Sundance Film Festival (among others), and that have earned numerous awards from Emmy‘s to Peabody’s.