| Organization information | |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | Saugatuck Film Fest |
| Please tell us the amount of funding you are requesting Aware to raise for your organization from the Aware annual fundraising event. | 2000 |
| If your organization received Aware funding in the previous years, how many clients were serviced and/or how many services were provided with those funds. If you receive Aware funding this current year, how many clients will be serviced and/or how many services will be provided with these funds? | N/A |
| Please provide a listing of the Officers and Board members of your organization. | Logan White - Festival Director |
| Your Contact Information | Logan White |
| Phone | 6168365428 |
| Email hidden; Javascript is required. | |
| Scoring Criteria | |
| 1. Description of the Organization (maximum 5 points, please limit to ½ pages) | The Saugatuck Film Fest provides a celebration of the cinematic arts for both creators and afficionados. Since 2021 we have gathered every fall to showcase the best independent films submitted to the fest from all over the world, offering many works from Chicago, Grand Rapids, & Michigan among entries from over 20 countries and all across the US. There are no genre requirements to the submissions, and as a result we've shown an incredibly diverse selection of films. Animation, interpretive dance, silent films, thrillers, love stories, stop motion, documentary, and more. We host the fest at the Women's Club downtown Saugatuck and our goals are to recognize, promote, and celebrate independent filmmakers; continue to elevate Saugatuck as a premier arts destination; and have a good time doing it. We work to serve patrons of the arts and filmmakers, and regularly host 8-10 filmmakers and their crews and families at the event as well as local art fans. |
| 2. Funding Request (maximum 35 points, total, please limit to 1 page) | The funding request is specific to the operation of the 2025 Saugatuck Film Fest. These funds will be used to expand our operation to two venues this year, helping create a more engaging experience for fest goers. We would love to entertain any specific partnership ideas/requests and would certainly list West Shore Aware as a sponsor of the event. Historically our funding has been used primarily to rent the projection and sound equipment for our event. That consumes about 70% of our budget, with the remainder going to awards for the artists and rental of the space. Our funds are administrated by the Allegan County Community Foundation. |
| 3. Funding Justification (maximum 40 points, please limit to 1 page) | The funds requested will comprise about 10% of our anticipated spend this year. We have already obtained the rest of the funding and will not be in danger of not executing the event. In years past, we have paid for the event through ticket sales, concessions and merch, though this year we are getting more into grants and personal donations. We are seeking additional funding to build further on the success of past years. |
| 4. Summary | The Saugatuck Film Fest is seeking a sponsorship from West Shore Aware to help grow the fest in its 4th year. The SFF is building on previous success by expanding our team and adding a second location to offer additional programming. SFF aims to become an anchor event on the Michigan Arts Coast calendar by offering a diverse assortment of cinematic experiences in one of Michigan's premiere lakeshore destinations. Join us this September as we gather to recognize, promote, and celebrate independent filmmakers; continue to elevate Saugatuck as a premier arts destination; and have a good time doing it. |
| Application Agreement | This is an application, otherwise known as a Request for Funding (RFF), from
West Shore Aware. This RFF is a request from your organization to Aware, for Aware to host a
Fundraising Event for your organization. By completing this RFF, your organization is requesting to be considered by Aware’s membership for an Aware fundraising event to be held during the summer of this year, also known as the White Party.
If your organization is chosen for a fundraising event by the Aware membership, your organization will agree to the following terms and conditions for the said fundraising event. 1. Aware will be given and provided full credit for the fundraising event in all of you organization’s publicity and advertising for said event, to include but not limited to event posters, newspaper advertising, handouts, radio and television advertising for the event, and organizational announcements concerning the event. 2. Your organization will only use the funds raised by Aware from said event for the purpose described in the RFF submitted to Aware. 3. Your organization understands that West Shore Aware is a philanthropic organization of LBGTQ+ individuals and their supporters, and that the funds your organization receives from Aware will be coming from the West Michigan lakeshore community. 4. The funds received from Aware as a result of the fundraising event will be net, after expenses for said fundraising event are paid. 5. Aware may use the name of your organization in its own advertising and publicity as a recipient of funds.. 6. Your organization will supply Aware with written approval to hold, or be part of a fundraising event held by Aware. 7. West Shore Aware reserves the right to audit any organization that receives funding to determine whether the funds were used as described in its RFF. 8. Your organization will allow West Shore Aware to use you organization’s name on the West Shore Aware website. In addition, if your organization has a website, you will link that website to the West Shore Aware website and allow West Shore Aware to link to your organization’s site. West Shore Aware’s web site link must remain on your web site for a full year from the date of the monetary disbursement. Failure to do so will disqualify you from requesting future funding. Once you have completed the RFF and agreed to the aforementioned, please submit it. Please sign this document below, indicating acceptance of the aforementioned terms and conditions. By signing the document, you acknowledge your organization is a registered 501(C) 3 Charitable organization. |
| Signature | |
| Date | 04/02/2025 |
| Ready to Submit |
|
