ABOUT THE PROJECT

LOGLINE
A global peer-to-peer community for documentary professionals.

SYNOPSIS
Documentary filmmaking is critical work. But can also be challenging and isolating. Since 1999, THE D-WORD has been a peer-to-peer global community that helps documentary professionals feel a sense of belonging. THE D-WORD provides spaces for professional development, information sharing and relationship building, working towards greater sustainability, and improved mental health for documentary professionals. THE D-WORD has nearly 23,000 members from 158 countries.

Key programs include: (1) an online discussion forum on all aspects of documentary filmmaking (fundraising, production, camera, sound, distribution, legal and more); (2) virtual and in-person F2Fs (“face-to-face” meetups) for networking, information-sharing, feedback, and social exchange; (3) special panels, talks, and forum topics that include coverage from major industry events and guests providing expertise on relevant topics; and (4) partnering on DocuMentality, a mental health initiative for documentary professionals.

THE D-WORD is aimed at building relationships online that carry into the face-to-face world, including physical and virtual meet-ups, peer collaborations, and partnerships to offer round-ups of pitching forums and other industry events, peer feedback on works-in-progress, and a commitment to opening conversations about mental health among the documentary community.

While THE D-WORD is free to join, funding supports the upkeep and upgrades of the website, the cost of virtual meeting services, future program development, and outreach.

PROJECT TYPE Organization

PRODUCER Doug Block, Peter Gerard, Erica Ginsberg, Marjan Safinia

WEBSITE d-word.com

The Film Collaborative (TFC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing programs and services for independent filmmakers. TFC’s federal tax ID number is 32-0295081. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Support a TFC Fiscal Sponsorship Project

Please help support this project with a tax deductible contribution. The “donate” button below will take you to PayPal, but a PayPal account is not required to make a donation. You can check out 2 ways:

1. Use your PayPal account
2. Check out as a guest by selecting “Donate with a Debit or Credit Card” (no PayPal account is required)

Transaction Fee

Please consider covering the PayPal transaction fee by selecting the “I’d like to add to my donation to help offset the cost of processing” box on the next page. This will ensure your intended full donation amount will be received for the project.

Alternate Donation Payment Methods

If you prefer to donate by check, Zelle, ACH, or wire transfer, please email us for instructions.

Stock Donations

TFC accepts stock donations. By donating stock that has appreciated for more than a year, you are giving 20% more than if you sold the stock and then made a cash donation, since you will not pay capital gains taxes on the donated stock. Learn more here.

Please email us for instructions to donate stock to a fiscally sponsored project.

Donor Advised Fund (DAF) Donations

A donor-advised fund, or DAF, is like a charitable investment account for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations. TFC accepts DAF donations and is on file with most major DAF companies. Provide your DAF TFC’s Tax ID: 32-0295081. If we are already on file with your DAF company, they will process the donation.

Tax Receipts

In compliance with IRS rules, tax receipts for your charitable gift are issued for the amount The Film Collaborative receives after payment processor fees are deducted. The Film Collaborative emails tax receipts in PDF format within 30 days of your online donation. The “receipt” that is immediately sent to you from PayPal after you donate is just a payment receipt, not the tax receipt.

Matching Donations

Many companies have matching gift programs and can help you double your donation to a project of your choosing. Sometimes these programs will match a donation up to a year after it was originally made! Check with your employer—if they have a matching gift program, they will provide you with instructions.

End of Year Giving

November, December, and January are big giving months each year. Donors top up their annual giving in November and December. January is a new fiscal year, and some donors start their giving for the next fiscal year early. Some donors even give at the end of the year and again in January since these donations fall into different fiscal years.

Donors tend to make their large year-end donation decisions before the holidays start. In 2024, that means before December 20. TFC can accept donations by wire, ACH, and Zelle until 5:00pm Eastern Time on December 31. Online donations by credit or debit card can be made until 11:59pm Pacific Time on December 31.