The Subject Matter Model

  • Subject Matter partners with film festivals and works with programmers to identify documentaries in their programs that highlight urgent social issues.

  • Our selection committee then chooses one film to receive a grant to support their impact and outreach efforts.

  • Next, we identify a nonprofit that has been working on the issue featured in the film and we award a corresponding grant to support their work.

  • At the festival, we help raise awareness for the film and invite inspired audiences to join us in donating to the nonprofit grantee to create a positive community action in response to the film. In addition to donating, audience members can also share messages of support for the filmmaker or nonprofit or communicate an interest in volunteering with the nonprofit.

Documentary Films

When selecting film grantees, our committee looks for:

  • Completed feature length documentaries focused on a social issue currently impacting the United States 

  • Filmmaking teams with an inherent connection to the subject matter

  • Films that feature leaders connected to nonprofits working on the issues; character driven stories; and films that are hopeful

Nonprofit Organizations

When selecting nonprofit grantees, we look for:

  • Small to mid-sized grassroots organizations in good financial standing 

  • Organizations with an inherent connection to a Subject Matter granted film and that have a successful program connected to the featured issue

  • Organizations whose leaders have lived experiences connected to the issues

Please note: Since all of our granting is done through festival collaborations, we do not currently accept or review unsolicited submissions.