Roli Mahajan lists out some of the grants available for photographers keen on social change.

 

Gettyimages Creative Grants

Well, this grant is a big deal. Dedication and the zeal to bring about a positive change are some of the ingredients that can help you win this grant.

The purpose is “to support non-profit organisations which do not currently have the resources to employ photographers (or filmmakers) and communication professionals, but who understand how breakthrough imagery and strategic thinking about communications are essential to further their mission.”

So photographers/videographers start identifying non-profit organisations who need your help because by collaborating with them (voluntarily or otherwise) you could get a handsome amount to do the work you love. Browse this site as there are a lot of other grants available just in case this doesn’t interest you.

Deadline: It is usually early March; visit:http://imagery.gettyimages.com/getty_images_grants/Creative.html

 

Socialdocumentary.net

Look up this website from time to time for inspiration, mentoring, opportunities and membership. The tagline for this site is “using the power of photography to promote global awareness”.

At present, they are holding a competition with Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a non-profit organisation, to award two photographers, an MSH Photo Fellowship and up to two weeks, expenses-paid trip(s) documenting MSH’s global health projects in Africa, Asia, or Latin America. This is a pay-per-entry kind of a competition, but the returns are rich.

Deadline: September, 28; visit: http://socialdocumentary.net/competition.php

 

PhotoPhilanthrophy

This is a photography organisation that believes in building effective partnerships, and that photographers and non-profits can help bring about change.

The photographer tab on their website is worth exploring because of the opportunities available, as well as tips for doing photo-essays. As of now, the site is accepting entries for their annual Activist Awards from professional, amateur and student photographers. You are not charged for the entries, and this is an appropriate platform to showcase your work online as well as to get some credibility even if you don’t win.

Additionally, the submissions from previous years can give you some good tips with regard to international standards of what is expected of photographers working for non-profit organisations. .

Submissions are open till October, 1; visit: http://photophilanthropy.org/award/guidelines/

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Education Plus> Research / by Roli Mahajan / Chennai – September 15th, 2013