Vital Impacts Environmental Photography Grant

Vital Impacts Environmental Photography Grant

Funder: Vital Impacts (MT, US) - Women-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Website: vitalimpacts.org
Founded by: Ami Vitale (National Geographic photographer and filmmaker) and Eileen Mignoni
Tax ID: 87-1543337

Purpose

Support and encourage visual storytellers to create long-term documentary photography projects with local communities who are working to protect the environment and wildlife. The program funds visual stories that highlight solution-based environmental initiatives and is designed to give recipients time and intellectual freedom to produce a body of work over 12 months.

Award Structure

• Primary Grant: $20,000 (named The Dr. Jane Goodall Environmental Photography Grant in 2024)
• Secondary Grants: Six grants of $5,000 each (named after environmental leaders including Sylvia Earle, Wangari Maathai, Katalin Sárkózy-Kiss, Rachel Carson, Paul Salopek, and Enric Sala in 2024)
• Project Duration: 12 months

Geographic Scope

International. The 2023 inaugural year received 372 submissions from 68 countries.

Focus Areas

• Environmental conservation and wildlife protection
• Solution-based environmental initiatives
• Community-based environmental storytelling
• Indigenous and local community leadership in environmental protection
• Climate change solutions
• Water conservation and management
• Land restoration and stewardship
• Marine conservation
• Biodiversity protection
• Indigenous sovereignty and land rights

Eligibility

• Who Can Apply: Visual storytellers, documentary photographers, and emerging photographers worldwide
• Project Focus: Must document communities working on environmental solutions
• Experience Level: Open to emerging and established photographers

Support Provided

• Mentorship: Grant recipients receive guidance and mentorship from the Vital Impacts team throughout implementation
• Editor and Photographer Mentors: Selected mentees paired with editors or leading environmental photographers for 12-month intensive mentorship program
• Speaker Series: Participation in Vital Impacts monthly mentorship speaker series featuring environmental storytellers, editors, and scientists
• Community: Access to network of photographers, editors, and scientists globally

What They Don't Fund

No specific exclusions stated in available materials, but focus is strictly on solution-based environmental narratives.

Contact Information

Email: hello@vitalimpacts.org

Background

Vital Impacts' mission is to support organizations protecting people, wildlife, and habitats, and the storytellers who share their stories. In their first year (2023), the organization converted a $25,000 startup grant into over $2,000,000 through fine-art print sales and donations, passing profits to conservation and humanitarian efforts globally. The organization also creates programming to foster and support the next generation of photographers and storytellers working on environmental stories in their communities.

Application Process

2024 Application Details:

Applications opened June 2024

Deadline: September 15, 2024 (for 2024 cycle)

Application portal and specific submission requirements not fully detailed in available materials

How to Apply

1. Prepare Your Project Proposal
- Develop a compelling documentary photography project proposal
- Focus on solution-based environmental initiatives in your community
- Clearly articulate how the project will tell environmental stories over 12 months

2. Submit Application
- Submit through the official application portal (specific URL not provided in materials)
- Include project proposal and documentation
- All applicants are invited to participate in the monthly mentorship speaker series

3. Selection Process
- Applications reviewed by distinguished panel of judges
- Judges include photography directors, photo editors, and award-winning photographers
- Selection based on originality, nuance, storytelling quality, and community-based approach

Required Materials

• Project proposal/narrative
• Visual samples or portfolio evidence
• Specific application materials not detailed in available sources

Selection Criteria

Based on judge feedback from past cycles:
• Originality and Nuance: Unique perspective on environmental issues
• Solution-Focused: Emphasis on community solutions and hope rather than despair
• Community Connection: Deep understanding of and connection to the communities being documented
• Cultural Authenticity: Photographers from the areas and cultures they document prioritized
• Storytelling Quality: Ability to tell complex stories with depth and authenticity
• Long-term Vision: Clear plan for sustained project development over 12 months

Questions or Concerns

Contact: hello@vitalimpacts.org