Janine Spruill was very busy. As founder of Lil’ Filmmakers, a Roxborough-based nonprofit that helps underserved youth find their voices through filmmaking, Spruill was simultaneously running the organization and leading various classes and programs. To lighten the load, Spruill made the strategic decision to go under the fiscal sponsorship of the Federation of Neighborhood Centers (FNC).

With FNC managing the organization’s money, Spruill was able to grow Lil’ Filmmakers, acquiring key grants and moving into a 3,000-square-foot facility. By 2025, Spruill said the nonprofit was ready to transition out of the fiscal sponsorship.

However, that changed in August 2025, when Spruill learned FNC couldn’t process Lil’ Filmmakers’ payroll. The $170,000 thought to be in the bank was missing.

“That’s how I learned that our money was completely mismanaged,” Spruill said. “My understanding is that they were taking whatever funds organizations had and applying it elsewhere or spending it somewhere else without our knowledge. So by the end of August, they couldn’t run our payroll. I realized we had no money left, and that was extremely traumatizing.”

At the end of 2025, FNC issued a statement acknowledging that the work it was supporting was “often beyond our capacity,” and ended its fiscal sponsorship program.

Months later, Lil’ Filmmakers has persevered through the help of grants and donors. To celebrate this resilience, on July 11, the organization will hold Rox the Block, a block party-style fundraiser. The event will be at 6156 Ridge Ave.

Gaining momentum

According to Spruill, Lil’ Filmmakers “hides the pill in the pudding.” What outwardly appears to be an organization devoted to teaching about videos and other media has a deeper purpose.

“They also are learning social-emotional learning,” Spruill said. “At the root of Lil’ Filmmakers is youth development. We want young people to evolve emotionally, internally, find their confidence, use art as healing, storytelling as healing, and find your voice.”

The organization offers several different workshops and programs, taking kids from middle school through early adulthood. As young people grow older, they take on more responsibility, learning directing, acting, writing, and technology, as well as other useful skills like how to make an invoice or write a contract.

Lil’ Filmmakers has received several notable grants, including from one of Michael Jordan’s charities, and has partnerships with big name companies like Sony and Adobe. The organization was also featured on the Jennifer Hudson Show. All of this success made the financial mismanagement situation that much more worrying.

“I was determined not to let any of my staff go,” Spruill said. “I was determined not to shut the organization down, because we had just got into a momentum.”

Fundraising continues

In the wake of the “devastating” breach of fiduciary duty, Spruill quickly began seeking alternative sources of income. She spoke to city officials and lawyers, who were shocked by the predicament.

“No one knew what to do,” Spruill said. “Everybody was like, ‘Wait, what happened? All the money is gone?’ And I’m like, ‘Yes.’”

Emergency grants and generous donors kept Lil’ Filmmakers afloat, as the organization raised close to $300,000. The idea to host a fundraiser seemed like a natural next step. Rox the Block’s proceeds will go towards a $75,000 goal to support programs, film production, and operational expenses.

At the event, guests can expect a DJ, a drum group, artist-designed merch for sale, mini golf, and cornhole. Treats such as funnel cake, water ice, and soft pretzels will also be available.

Spruill said this experience is a “cautionary tale” and she is still working on “how to hold FNC accountable.” However, for now, there is reason to celebrate.

“I had to alchemize this negative experience and turn it into something positive,” Spruill said. “The thing that it turned into is everybody coming together to support us.”

To learn more about Lil’ Filmmakers, sign up for their summer programs, or purchase tickets to Rox the Block, visit lilfilmmakersinc.com.

Maggie Dougherty can be reached at Margaret@chestnuthilllocal.com.