The summer granting cycle is open! Although they are competitive, grants are a great way to round out that ever growing budget. We've listed a few of our favorite documentary specific grants that are now accepting applications. Check them out and see if one is right for you.
THE CATAPULT FILM FUND
Catapult Film Fund opened it's summer round of applications on June 17th, but the actual deadline is August 19th. Catapult Film Fund provides development funding to documentary filmmakers who have a compelling story to tell, have secured access to their story and are ready to shoot and edit a piece for production fundraising purposes.
HOT DOCS
Blue Ice Group Documentary Fund is a grant supporting African American documentary filmmakers for development and production. Development grants of $3000 - $8000 and Production grants of $5000 - $40,000 are awarded to approximately four to 10 projects annually. Applications are accepted from June 18th - August 16th.
MACARTHUR FOUNDATION
The Foundation just announced its open call for documentary film proposals. Applications will be accepted starting June 27th, and the deadline is July 31st. The Media, Culture and Special Initiatives Program seeks to fund documentary projects that address the
significant social challenges of our time or explore important but
under-reported topics. Domestic and international topics are welcome.
ITVS FUNDING INITIATIVE
Open Call Round 1 deadline is coming up on June 28th. Open Call provides funds for single nonfiction public television programs on any subject, and from any viewpoint. The Diversity Development Fund (DDF) is also currently open for applications until August 16th. The DDF provides up to $15,000 in research and development funding to producers
of color to develop single documentary programs for public television. Many of ITVS' other funding opportunities now accept applications year-round, so be sure to look into the International Initiative, LINCS and Series/Special Projects grants too.
THE FLEDGLING FUND
For those of you who will soon find out if you are one of The Fledgling Fund's spring cycle grantees - we wish you good luck! And for those of you who missed it, the next cycle for the Fund's Film and Creative Media Grant opens August 12th.These grants support outreach and audience engagement for social issue documentaries and range from smaller planning grants to implementation grants for projects that have a clear plan ready to launch.