Documentary Film Funding and Grants Key Terms

Search for money using documentary film funding and grants key terms

By Nikki Wheeler

Securing the financing to complete a documentary film can be as time- and energy-consuming and require as much creativity as filmmaking. While grants and funding for films are available, they are not always easily found, take a long time for the application process and are highly competitive. To gain an advantage while involved in the application process, extensive research is necessary. The first step in the process is to understand the most widely used documentary film funding and grants key terms.

For-profit documentary

A for-profit documentary is made with the intention of selling the rights to a film distributor for a profit, and documentaries treated as an investment opportunity will lead you to specific funding sources.
Try: Learn all about making a documentary film for a profit at Artemis Society International.

Nonprofit documentary

A nonprofit documentary, or not-for-profit, is made for the sole purpose of educating viewers on a social issue and not to turn a profit. Making a nonprofit film will interest a specific kind of investor.
Try: Read more about making a nonprofit documentary film and see some samples of cause-inspired films at Teleduction.

State grants

State grants are funds allocated by the state government to be used specifically for a public service authorized by the state.
Try: Visit the International Documentary Association to learn more about specific state grant requirements and deadlines, including where, when and how to apply for them.

Independent grants

Independent grants are money awards given out to be used for a specific purpose by corporations, businesses, independent associations or organizations with a common mission.
Try: Find out more about the largest independent grant program, the Paul Robeson Fund for Independent Media, at the Funding Exchange.

Federal grants

An award of financial assistance allocated by the federal government for a specific project, like a documentary film, that benefits society is considered a federal grant.
Try: Look into finding the federal grants for filmmakers and applying for them at the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Grant proposal

A grant proposal is a formal written request for granted funds whether they are from federal, state or private sources. Requests should be highly detailed, represent your professional filmmaking abilities, your passion for the subject matter and creative vision.
Try: Become an expert at writing grant proposals by reading the reference guide for writing proposals at the Foundation Center.