2026 EOYM Video Grant

2026 EOYM Video Grant is sponsored by Eyes On Your Mission. Supports collaborative video production projects between nonprofits and independent filmmakers to amplify humanitarian impact through powerful video storytelling.

Video Grants – Eyes On Your Mission Good Luck to ALL of Our 2026 Applicants! View 2025 Video Grant Winners TwoParrot. com | EyesOnYourMission.

org 2025 Eyes On Your Mission Video Grant Winners Announced! IMPORTANT 2026 GRANT DATES 🗓️ Grant Opens: May 16, 2026 🗓️ Grant Closes: July 18, 2026 🏆 Winners Announced: September 1, 2026 🎬 Final Videos Completed: January 4, 2027 Feel free to contact us or join our mailing list. Jessica@TwoParrot.

com / 630. 835. 4811 A NEW CHAPTER FOR EYES ON YOUR MISSION We’re entering a new chapter at Eyes On Your Mission.

Our mission has not changed, as we still exist to amplify humanitarian impact through powerful video storytelling. What is changing is how we deliver on that promise.

After a decade of producing full-scale documentaries in-house with our sister company Two Parrot Productions, we’re evolving to a model that allows us to: 🦜Support more nonprofit organizations 🦜Activate more independent filmmakers 🦜Create a new series of fundable projects 🦜Build a more sustainable future This new format allows us to: ✅Support more organizations each year ✅Activate more independent filmmakers ✅Create apprenticeships for talented students ✅Encourage local storytelling within communities ✅Create long-term creative relationships ✅Step back from managing every detail of production ✅Build a scalable model for the future of EOYM This year, EOYM will focus on a simplified and scalable approach to storytelling.

Instead of managing full productions internally, we are shifting to a collaborative model between nonprofits and independent filmmakers. What this means for you: Nonprofits will now apply with a filmmaker attached That filmmaker will have the technical skills required to lead the production EOYM will provide funding, structure, and mentorship This is about activating more storytellers, and getting more meaningful stories into the world.

We’re excited about what this opens up: For you, for filmmakers, and for the future of nonprofit storytelling. Here’s why we believe this new direction is so important. The future of nonprofit storytelling is not about one production company doing all the work internally.

It’s about activating more filmmakers, advocating for more nonprofits, and creating sustainable creative partnerships that continue long after this specific grant ends. That’s why the 2026 EOYM Video Grant will now operate through a collaborative filmmaker model. Instead of applying alone, nonprofits will apply alongside a filmmaker who will help lead the project creatively and technically throughout the process.

EOYM will provide mentorship, structure, community, and financial support to help guide the production from concept to final film. The filmmaker you chose does not need to be famous or operate a massive production company. In fact, we don't mind if they use their cell phone to produce the entire piece!

We are looking for passionate storytellers who care about people, communication, collaboration, and meaningful impact. Whether they are experienced documentary filmmakers, emerging creatives, or talented college students, what matters most is their willingness to grow, learn, and tell stories that matter.

HOW EOYM’S 2026 FINANCIAL SUPPORT IS STRUCTURED EOYM will not be using our internal network of professional filmmakers to produce the winning films. Nonprofits and filmmakers will apply together, as outlined above. In 2026 EOYM anticipates funding THREE production projects.

Each selected project will receive an honorarium of $2,000 paid directly to the filmmaker. Instead of a lump sum, the funding is designed to support progress and accountability through our 4-month Masterclass experience. Because great storytelling doesn’t just happen: It’s guided.

This model ensures consistency, momentum, accountability, and a high-quality final product.

Each team will move through a structured process including: Editing and post-production Final delivery and review Honorarium delivered digitally over 4 months of production $200 Upon completion of each Masterclass session (5 x $200) $1,000 Tied to delivery of all final files in January 2027 💵 WINNING PRIZE ($1,000) The #1 project (of three) receives an EXTRA $1,000 award for filmmaker Use this link for a detailed guide to finding the right filmmaker for this project.

We put a lot of work into this and it should answer all of your questions: Detailed Guide - Advice on Finding the Perfect Filmmaker Look for someone who can shoot and edit independently, tell emotional, human-centered stories, and capture real moments…not just information.

This could be a freelancer, past collaborator, film student, or emerging creative looking to build their portfolio Your filmmaker should be someone who: 🦜Has some connection to your mission 🦜Believes in storytelling for social impact 🦜Is excited to collaborate with nonprofits and community organizations 🦜Has strong communication and organizational skills 🦜Can lead a small documentary-style production professionally 🦜Is open to feedback, mentorship, and teamwork 🦜Understands that this project is mission-first, not commercial advertising 🦜Is comfortable interviewing real people and capturing authentic emotional stories 🦜Wants to grow creatively alongside the EOYM community Basic Filmmaker Requirements 🦜Be at least 18 years old 🦜Ready to film in one single location in the United States (No international projects) 🦜Currently resides in United States (Not required to be an American citizen) 🦜Legally eligible to receive professional payments in the United States (Citizen or Visa) 🦜Commitment to paying appropriate taxes on income 🦜Must provide W-9 (With corporate ID or social security number) 🦜Have access to basic professional video production equipment (Can use cell phone) 🦜Be available for virtual meetings and production deadlines 🦜Be willing to collaborate professionally with the nonprofit and EOYM mentors Filmmakers should provide: 🦜A link to their online portfolio, website, Vimeo, and/or YouTube channel 🦜Two sample project URLs showcasing previous work you want us to see 🦜At least two completed documentary-style projects (Short documentaries, nonprofit films, branded documentaries, or feature documentaries all qualify) We strongly encourage applicants to choose filmmakers who demonstrate: 🦜Strong interview skills 🦜Emotional storytelling ability 🦜Good audio and visual quality 🦜Editing and post-production capabilities 🦜Professionalism and reliability WHAT TYPE OF VIDEO IS BEING PRODUCED?

Selected filmmakers will help create: 🦜One emotionally compelling 3–5 minute mini-documentary 🦜One social re-cut version (60 seconds) of the main video 🦜1-2 days total video shooting 🦜A-Roll interviews with 3-4 authentic real-world subjects 🦜B-Roll supplementary footage of nonprofit in action to support interviews 🦜RAW footage and editing files in organized online library 🦜Supporting production assets as requested by the nonprofit 🦜Strong human-centered storytelling 🦜Ethical documentary practices 🦜Respectful representation of communities served 🦜High emotional and technical quality If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to tell your story…this is it.

Watch Jessica Kizorek explain EOYM judging matrix Good Luck to our 2026 Video Grant Applicants! Can any organization apply? Applicants for Eyes On Your Mission grants must be legally registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in the United States.

International applications will not be considered this year. How many nonprofits will be selected for the 2026 EOYM video grant? EOYM anticipates choosing three nonprofit/filmmaker pairs in 2026.

When does the grant open and close in 2026? When are winners chosen? Winners announced: September 1st.

Who chooses the winners each year? EOYM has a grant screening and adviory panel made up of the Executive Director, board of directors, and key donors to our mission. What makes for the strongest applications?

Do you use artificial intelligence? We very much believe in the power of artificial intelligence, and use a variety of tools in our pre-production, production, and post-production workflows. However, the more we experience AI hallucinations and deep fakes, the more we must visualize reality using documentary strategies.

More than ever people are craving human stories and connection. Will Eyes On Your Mission make our video for us? No. This year we are not producing the winning projects in-house with Two Parrot Productions.

We will pay a filmmaker you select to make your video under our supervision during a four-month production period October 2026-January 2027. Can Eyes On Your Mission recommend a filmmaker? No. This year we will not be recommending any filmmakers from within our network.

Four our guide to picking the perfect filmmaker click here . Does the project have to be in the United States? Yes.

While historically this has been an international grant, this year we are staying tightly focused on organizations, filmmakers and programs within the United States. This has to do with issues related to time zones, finances, taxes, communication capacity, language barriers, and technical issues like dubbing and subtitles. In the future we intend to find a way to work around the globe, but this is the first year of our new pilot.

Does the filmmaker have to be an American citizen? No, but they must be currently residing in the USA with legal capacity to receive professional payments in the USA through citizenship or work visa. When is the grant deadline?

GUARANTEED TOTAL $2,000 Honorarium delivered digitally over 4 months production FIRST HALF ($1,000) $200 Upon completion of each Masterclass session (5 x $200) SECOND HALF ($1,000) $1,000 Tied to delivery of all final files in January 2027 WINNING PRIZE ($1,000) The #1 project receives an EXTRA $1,000 award Does my organization get paid? No. Only the filmmakers get paid. Can the filmmaker be an employee at the nonprofit organization?

Yes. But they have to have basic competence in video production, with at least two URLs of past work for us to evaluate their technical capacity. NFTE: An EOYM Grant Winner EOD Warrior Foundation: An EOYM Grant Winner Boys & Girls Club: An EOYM 2023 Grant Winner