Are you looking for flexible funding to tell your organization's stories? Good news! These media grants for video storytelling are available for nonprofit organizations like yours.
Some grants are geared to filmmakers for a social topic. However, you can get creative by partnering with a filmmaker or storytelling agency to bring a mutually beneficial story to life. Nonprofit Kiss the Ground used this approach, partnering with Big Picture Ranch for their film Kiss the Ground.
This article will share ten grant programs that help financially bring your stories to life. So, let's dive in and discover some grants for your nonprofit storytelling!
Table of Contents
- The Knight Foundation Grants
- The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grants
- The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Grants
- The Sundance Institute Documentary Fund
- The Open Society Foundations Grants
- The Ford Foundation Grants
- The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) Grants
- The Robert R. McCormick Foundation Journalism Program
- The National Geographic Society Grants
- Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund
- Stept Film Fund
- Sony Creation Action
- SOWN
- Conclusion On Grants for Video Storytelling
The Knight Foundation Grants
Nonprofits in journalism and storytelling can find the Knight Foundation a fantastic resource. Their Community and National Grant programs offer funding for innovative projects, including those focused on video production. If you're looking to experiment with new storytelling techniques or engage your audience through visually captivating videos, this could be the grant for you.
Due Period: Various
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grants
For nonprofits in the arts sector to support storytelling and video production projects. Whether you're exploring traditional or contemporary art forms, their offerings promote artistic excellence and encourage community engagement. This is an excellent opportunity to fund your nonprofit's storytelling initiatives.
Due Dates: February, March, April, July, August
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Grants
If your storytelling project aims to contribute to a more just and equitable society, consider applying for a grant from the MacArthur Foundation. They support media and storytelling projects that tackle pressing social issues through video production and other mediums. Nonprofits who create impactful narratives that drive positive change will find this grant a perfect fit.
Due Period: Various
The Sundance Institute Documentary Fund
Documentary filmmakers and nonprofits focused on documentary storytelling should take note of the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund. Their grants aim to support projects that shed light on important social topics and offer unique perspectives through video production. This grant could be a great opportunity if your nonprofit is passionate about raising awareness and sparking conversations.
Various Grants Due Dates: May and June
The Open Society Foundations Grants
This grant encompasses storytelling and media production for nonprofits working on social justice issues. They are particularly interested in projects that amplify marginalized voices and advocate for human rights through video storytelling. This grant opportunity provides a platform for your nonprofit to make a powerful impact.
Due Dates: May and June
The Ford Foundation Grants
The Ford Foundation's grants are geared toward nonprofit organizations addressing social and economic inequalities. If your storytelling or video production project aims to foster understanding, challenge stereotypes, and bring about positive social change, the Ford Foundation could be your ally. Nonprofits committed to driving social justice through compelling narratives will find this grant opportunity ideal.
Due Period: Various
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) Grants
Public media organizations and nonprofits involved in video production and storytelling should explore the CPB Grants. The CPB supports projects that enhance public media content and engage audiences through captivating storytelling. If your nonprofit aims to share meaningful stories with a broad audience, this grant opportunity can help make it happen.
Various Grants Throughout the Year
The Robert R. McCormick Foundation Journalism Program
If your storytelling project focuses on investigative reporting, multimedia storytelling, or video production, consider the Robert R. McCormick Foundation Journalism Program. They provide grants to nonprofits and individual journalists who inform and engage the public on critical issues. This grant for video storytelling can provide the necessary resources to tell stories that make a difference.
Due Period: Various
The National Geographic Society Grants
For nonprofits exploring narratives related to the natural world, human cultures, and the environment, the National Geographic Society offers grants. They support projects that utilize video production and other mediums to convey impactful stories. This grant opportunity is worth exploring if your nonprofit aims to inspire curiosity and promote understanding of our world.
Due Period: Various
Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund
The Gucci Tribeca Documentary can fund your nonprofit's feature-length documentary on a social issue. The fund was geared towards films based anywhere, in production or post-production, with no intended premiere exhibition date. Funded films were driven by thoughtful and in-depth storytelling bolstered by a compelling visual approach.
Due Period: Various
Stept Film Fund
While this isn't a grant for nonprofits, you can work with a Filmmaker with shared values to produce an untold short human-centered documentary of up to 20 minutes. Maybe your on-staff video storyteller could apply. There are creative ways that make it beneficial for both parties while adhering to the submission criteria.
Due Period: March
Sony Creation Action
CREATE ACTION's mission is to amplify local organizations' efforts through funding, storytelling, and collaboration with Sony. CREATE ACTION grants are designed to make a long-lasting impact on local social justice organizations and the communities they serve. Selected organizations will receive direct funding, Sony Electronics products, a custom-created promotional film, and many other opportunities for collaboration, partnership, and marketing support.
Due Period: Various
SOWN
Sown provides free films for Nonprofits. Every year, they award a select number of nonprofits the opportunity to tell their stories free of charge. There is no hidden agenda or fees; it is 100% free. They will raise the money to cover their hard costs.
Due Period: Anytime for Their Ongoing Submission Process
Conclusion On Grants for Video Storytelling
It's good to know that these grants for video storytelling are available. Flexible funding allows you to tell various stories about your nonprofit, as you know.
Remember, to truly make an impact, you still need a partner or someone on your team who understands the craft of storytelling. They can provide you with the tools and expertise to distill your stories to present them best.
That's where a storytelling company comes in. At BairStories, we're here to help uncover and amplify your stories.