Impact Partners
/OVERVIEW: Impact Partners supports the development and production of documentary films that address “pressing social issues.” It also runs a fellowship program for documentary film producers.
IP TAKE: At Impact Partners, “filmmakers and investors work together to achieve mutually beneficial goals of telling powerful stories, raising awareness about critical issues facing our world today, reaching mass audiences on a global scale, and creating revenue for our films.” This film funder supports as many as 15 documentary projects a year and hosts as many as 15 documentary producers through its unique fellowship program in New York City. This is an accessible funder for documentary filmmakers. Impact Partners accepts letters of inquiry at any time via its online application portal. Sign up for the newsletter to keep up with new opportunities.
PROFILE: Created in 2007, Impact Partners was founded by Dan Cogan and Geralyn Dreyfous. The organization “is dedicated to funding independent documentary storytelling that entertains audiences, engages with pressing social issues, and propels the art of cinema forward.” It supports documentary film production through a general fund and a development fund, and runs a fellowship program for documentary producers.
Grants for Film
Support for documentary filmmaking is available through the following programs:
Impact Partners’ General Fund supports documentary films at any stage of development “that tell strong, cinematic stories, explore the urgent issues and questions of our time, and have a clear point of view and artistic vision.” Letters of inquiry are accepted at any time through a submission form and should contain a brief synopsis, information about the film’s team, the stage of production, budget and financing. Investment amounts are not specified for this fund.
The Development Fund focuses on “early-stage projects that have a director attached and have secured some access.” Investments range from $10,000 to $100,000. Letters of inquiry are accepted at any time through the submission form and should contain a brief synopsis, information about the film’s team, the stage of production, budget and financing, including information about how funding will be used to support the film’s completion.
The Documentary Producers Fellowship is “a yearlong program - featuring workshops with hands-on support of in-progress projects, and discussions with luminaries in the field.” Application are accepted from candidates who “have received the credit of Producer on at least one complete documentary film or series, and must be producing a current project that they are willing to discuss and workshop in meetings.” Travel expenses to meetings and events in New York City are covered by the program. As many as 15 fellowships are awarded each year. Check the program page for updated information about due dates or email the program at fellowship@impactpartnersfilm.com for additional information.
Important Grant Details:
Impact Partners’ funding appears to range from $10,000 to $100,000, but exact amounts are unknown because this organization is not a registered nonprofit.
Impact Partners supports between 10-15 documentary projects each year.
This organization accepts letters of inquiry for funding on an ongoing basis through its submission form. See samples of funded projects here.
Applications for production fellowship are accepted annually, but guidelines and due dates are updated each year. See profiles of past recipients here.
Submit general inquiries to Impact Partners via email at info@impactpartnersfilm.com and sign up for the newsletter in the drop-down menu on the left side of the website.
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