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Documentary
Short Documentaries
07/25/19
This program closed in 2021 and has been incorporated into the NEH Media Projects grant program. -
Documentary
Jacquie Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund
08/15/18
This fund, established by CPB and administered by Black Public Media, was created to support diverse documentary producers. Deadline was September 30, 2018. -
Documentary
Grants for Arts Projects
11/28/17
The NEA Grants for Arts Projects program supports creation, engagement, learning and livability in communities through grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. (1-1 match required). There are two rounds of competition in 2025, with deadlines in March and July. Note that new guidelines were released in February 2025 and there may be new guidelines released for the second round in July. Deadline: July 10, 2025. -
Documentary
African-American Civil Rights: Preservation and History Grants
10/20/17
This National Park Service grant supports projects that document, preserve and interpret significant sites in the history of African-American civil rights. This competition closed on December 3, 2019. -
Documentary
Japanese American Confinement Sites Grant Program
10/20/17
This NPS grant will make awards to support projects that preserve and interpret sites associated with Japanese internment in World War II. Deadline was November 1, 2017. -
Documentary
Ford Foundation
07/24/17
The Ford Foundation's focus post-2020 is on challenging inequality. Grants for media focus on informing the public about complex social issues. Documentary funding is available through the JustFilms program. -
Documentary
Media Projects: Development & Production Grants
06/06/17
Production funding of up to $1,000,000 is available through this NEH grant program. The 2025 competition has been canceled. -
Documentary
Fledgling Fund
02/13/17
Grants support outreach, engagement and some production for social justice-focused documentary film. As of 2022, the fund is no longer accepting media proposals. -
Documentary
Asian Cultural Council
09/26/14
Grants for individuals and organizations for research, study and creative work in Asia. Good fit for filmmakers, photographers and new media producers. -
Documentary
Cal Humanities
09/26/14
Up to $50,000 available for film, radio and new media initiatives that tell the stories of California communities and people. -
Documentary
Tribeca Film Institute
09/22/14
Several grants available for emerging and established documentary and narrative filmmakers and for social issue multimedia projects. Deadlines vary. -
Documentary
Fleishhacker Foundation
05/15/14
Grants available to Bay Area organizations for media arts, film, performing arts and literacy. -
Documentary
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
05/01/14
Building Bridges grants support media focused on expanding understanding of Muslim societies. Other grants support arts and music (especially jazz). -
Documentary
MacArthur (John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation)
03/27/14
MacArthur pivots post-2020 and makes some new big investments. Good news: public media remains an enduring priority. Recent awards support journalism and diverse voices in public media. -
Documentary
Ettinger Foundation
02/06/14
While unsolicited applications are not accepted, the Foundation's interests converge with public media, especially in the area of independent and documentary film.
