Donation Policy
Effective Date: May 1, 2026
First Frame Foundation has applied for recognition of tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that application is currently pending with the IRS. Contributions made during this period are intended to be tax-deductible retroactive to the Foundation's date of incorporation, consistent with IRS policy for organizations whose applications are subsequently approved. Donors are encouraged to consult a qualified tax advisor regarding the deductibility of contributions made prior to issuance of the determination letter.
This Donation Policy governs all charitable gifts made to First Frame Foundation, whether received online, by mail, by phone, or in person. By making a gift, donors agree to the terms of this Policy.
1. Organizational Mission
First Frame Foundation supports emerging filmmakers and underrepresented voices through mentorship, micro-grants, film education programs, and an annual film festival. All donations received by the Foundation are used exclusively in furtherance of this charitable mission.
2. Gift Acceptance -- General
First Frame Foundation gratefully accepts charitable contributions in the following forms, subject to the conditions described in this Policy:
Cash, check, money order, and electronic funds transfer;
Credit and debit card payments processed through the Foundation's authorized payment processor;
Publicly traded securities and mutual fund shares;
Closely held securities, subject to Board review and approval;
Real property, subject to Board review, environmental assessment, and legal review;
Tangible personal property, including film production equipment, software licenses, and other assets with direct program utility, subject to Board approval;
Bequests, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, and other planned giving arrangements;
Matching gifts from corporate matching gift programs; and
Any other gift that the Board of Directors determines is consistent with the Foundation's mission and can be accepted without undue legal, financial, or reputational risk.
The Foundation reserves the right to decline any gift at its sole discretion, including gifts that impose conditions inconsistent with the Foundation's mission, that create unacceptable legal or financial risk, or that come from sources whose values conflict with the Foundation's charitable purpose.
3. Restricted and Unrestricted Gifts
3.1 Unrestricted Gifts
Unrestricted gifts are contributions made without a donor-specified purpose. Unrestricted gifts provide the Foundation with maximum flexibility to direct resources where they are most needed in furtherance of its mission. The Foundation encourages unrestricted giving and applies unrestricted funds at the direction of the Board of Directors.
3.2 Restricted Gifts
Donors may designate contributions for a specific Foundation program or purpose. The Foundation currently accepts restricted gifts designated for the following programs:
First Frame Mentorship Program;
First Frame Micro-Grants;
First Frame Academy; and
First Frame Film Festival.
The Foundation also accepts restricted gifts for other specific purposes approved by the Board. Donors wishing to restrict a gift to a purpose not listed above should contact the Foundation prior to making the gift to confirm that the designated purpose can be accommodated.
3.3 Minimum Threshold for Restricted Funds
The Foundation reserves the right to establish minimum gift thresholds for the establishment of named or purpose-restricted funds. Donors should contact the Foundation to discuss restricted giving arrangements for significant gifts before completing the transaction.
3.4 Variance Power
If a restricted gift cannot be applied to the donor-designated purpose due to a change in circumstances, program discontinuation, or legal restriction, the Foundation's Board of Directors retains variance power to redirect the gift to a purpose as close as practicable to the donor's original intent, consistent with the Foundation's charitable mission and applicable law.
4. Online Donations
Online donations are processed through the Foundation's authorized third-party payment processor. The Foundation employs reasonable security measures to protect donor payment information. The Foundation is not responsible for the privacy practices or security of any third-party payment processing platform; donors should review the applicable platform's terms and privacy policy before submitting payment information. All online donations are subject to the Foundation's standard acknowledgment and receipt procedures described in Section 7 of this Policy.
5. Gifts of Securities
The Foundation accepts gifts of publicly traded securities. Donors wishing to contribute securities should contact the Foundation at give@firstframefoundation.org to obtain current transfer instructions. The value of a securities gift for tax purposes is generally determined by the mean of the high and low trading prices on the date of transfer, consistent with IRS guidance. The Foundation's general policy is to liquidate donated securities promptly upon receipt; the Foundation does not provide investment advice. Gifts of closely held or restricted securities are subject to advance review and approval by the Board of Directors. The Foundation will not accept a gift of securities that imposes restrictions on sale or that creates material legal, financial, or reputational risk.
6. Gifts of Real and Personal Property
The Foundation may accept gifts of real property or tangible personal property that serve the Foundation's charitable mission. All such gifts are subject to advance review and approval by the Board of Directors. Real property gifts require an independent appraisal and, where appropriate, an environmental assessment prior to acceptance. The Foundation will not accept real property subject to a mortgage or lien without Board approval. Tangible personal property, including film production equipment, cameras, software, and related assets, is evaluated based on the Foundation's current program needs and the property's condition, marketability, and estimated cost of maintenance or disposition. Accepted property gifts are applied to Foundation programs or liquidated at the Board's discretion. Donors of non-cash property with a claimed value exceeding $500 are responsible for obtaining a qualified independent appraisal consistent with IRS requirements (Form 8283). The Foundation will provide written acknowledgment but does not provide valuation advice.
7. Acknowledgment and Tax Receipts
First Frame Foundation provides written acknowledgment of all charitable contributions in accordance with IRS requirements. Donors who make contributions of $250 or more will receive a written acknowledgment that includes the amount of cash contributed or a description of non-cash property, and a statement of whether any goods or services were provided in exchange for the contribution. For contributions under $250, donors may use their cancelled check, credit card statement, or other payment record as documentation for tax purposes. The Foundation does not provide goods or services in exchange for charitable contributions unless expressly stated. Donors are responsible for determining the tax deductibility of their contributions under applicable federal and state law. The Foundation recommends that donors consult a qualified tax advisor regarding the deductibility and treatment of their gifts.
8. No Refunds
Charitable contributions to First Frame Foundation are final and non-refundable. Donations are irrevocable gifts and may not be returned once accepted by the Foundation, except in the case of a documented processing error (for example, a duplicate charge or a charge in an amount different from what the donor authorized). Requests to correct a processing error must be submitted to give@firstframefoundation.org within 30 days of the transaction date and are subject to verification. The Foundation's Board Treasurer will review and respond to all error-correction requests within 15 business days of receipt. This limited error-correction process does not constitute a refund policy.
9. Donor Recognition
Unless a donor requests anonymity, the Foundation may publicly acknowledge contributions in its annual report, website, program materials, and other communications. Donors who wish to remain anonymous must notify the Foundation in writing at the time of the gift. The Foundation will honor anonymous gift requests to the extent permitted by applicable law and its internal transparency policies.
10. Planned Giving
First Frame Foundation welcomes gifts made through estate plans, charitable trusts, charitable annuities, and other deferred giving vehicles. Donors considering a planned gift are encouraged to contact the Foundation prior to finalizing arrangements so that the Foundation can confirm its ability to accept and administer the gift consistent with the donor's intent. The Foundation does not provide legal or tax advice in connection with planned giving arrangements; donors should work with their own legal and financial advisors.
11. Corporate and Matching Gifts
The Foundation accepts contributions from corporations, foundations, and other organizations. Corporate donors and their employees are encouraged to inquire with their employer about corporate matching gift programs. The Foundation will provide documentation necessary to complete matching gift requests. Corporate gifts are subject to the same acceptance standards as individual gifts under this Policy.
12. Conflicts of Interest
The Foundation's Board of Directors will not accept any gift that creates a conflict of interest under the Foundation's Conflict of Interest Policy, as filed with the IRS as part of the Foundation's Form 1023 application. Any gift involving a Board member, officer, or other insider is subject to the Foundation's conflict of interest disclosure and recusal procedures.
13. Charitable Solicitation Registration
First Frame Foundation is registered as a charitable organization with the Commonwealth of Virginia and complies with all Virginia charitable solicitation requirements. The Foundation is actively pursuing registration in every state that requires registration of charitable organizations soliciting contributions from its residents, and intends to maintain full compliance with applicable state charitable solicitation laws in all jurisdictions where it solicits donations. The Foundation's registration status in any specific state is available upon request by contacting give@firstframefoundation.org. Donors may also obtain copies of the Foundation's financial reports and registration documents by contacting the Foundation directly or by accessing applicable state charity registration databases.
14. Policy Administration
This Donation Policy is administered by the Board of Directors of First Frame Foundation and may be amended at any time by action of the Board. Questions regarding this Policy should be directed to:
First Frame Foundation
8401 Mayland Drive, Suite 7673
Richmond, Virginia 23294
Phone: (703) 936-7888
Email: give@firstframefoundation.org
Website: https://firstframefoundation.org