Support the creation and career development of independent documentary filmmakers through grantmaking (Moving Image Fund) and fellowship programs, with offices in New England and California.
The Lef Foundation repeatedly backs independent documentary filmmakers at multiple stages of a project, from early development and pre-production through completion and career support. Its grantmaking is closely tied to the Moving Image Fund and to fellowship programs for filmmakers in New England, with additional California funding made by invitation. A recent example of that approach is a $75,000 grant to Uniondocs for Milton Guillen’s project, My Skin and I, through the FSC-LEF Fellowship. Another major award went to Filmmakers Collaborative Inc. for general support of filmmakers, showing that the foundation funds both individual projects and the organizations that support them. Recent grants also include support for the LEF/CIFF Fellowship at the Camden International Film Festival and for documentary work at the Center for Independent Documentary Inc. The foundation’s public grant descriptions emphasize independent documentary production, filmmaker development, and regional film programming, while its portfolio also includes fellowships, mentoring, and program support for arts organizations connected to the documentary field.
Documentary production is the clearest throughline in the grant record. The foundation gave $32,500 to Women Make Movies Inc - Amanda Kowa for program support of Amanda Kowalski’s project, Out in the Mountains (Working Title), and $25,000 to Experimental Sound Studio - Jodie M for Early Mourning, Tarpon Springs. It also funded project work at Center for Independent Documentary Inc, including $25,000 for Khary Saeed Jones’s Night Fight. Fellowship support is another distinct lane: Points North Institute received $40,000 for the LEF/CIFF Fellowship, and the same institution also received $36,000 for the fellowship program at the Camden International Film Festival. The foundation also funds organizational capacity in the documentary field, such as $25,000 to Color Congress for work to strengthen BIPOC-led media organizations.
Typical awards are modest to mid-sized rather than highly concentrated: the p25 is $2,500, the median is $5,000, and the p75 is $12,000. The recent-grants list also shows repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, especially Points North Institute, Center for Independent Documentary Inc, and Color Congress, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off gifts. The foundation is a regular funder, not a donor-advised fund, and it funds individuals as well as organizations. Several active programs accept unsolicited proposals, while California support is invite-only through proactive funding decisions.
$2M
$7.2M
$832K
$927K
Most grants fall between $3K and $12K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$12K
About 20% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Grantmaking is national, and every grant in the recipient-country distribution goes to the US. California receives the largest share of grants by count, with 20% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Beyond California, the list reaches New York, Massachusetts, Maine, and Illinois, with recurring awards to cities such as Camden, Boston, Cambridge, Oakland, Chicago, and Ridgewood. The pattern shows a strong New England presence alongside a smaller but visible California portfolio.
The foundation centers independent documentary film. Its active programs fund early development, pre-production, production, and broader career development for New England-based documentary filmmakers, and the recent grants include project support, fellowship support, and unrestricted gifts to documentary organizations.
Yes for several programs. The Moving Image Fund, early development funding, and pre-production grants all accept unsolicited proposals. California funding is different: LEF California Proactive Grants are invite-only and do not accept uninvited proposals.
The distribution is relatively small to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $2,500, the median grant is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $12,000. Active programs also show set amounts such as $2,500, $5,000, and $15,000 depending on the stage of production.
Support reaches multiple stages of film work, including early development, pre-production, production, career development, fellowships, and regional film programming. The grant record also includes support for BIPOC-led media organizations and documentary arts institutions.
The foundation gives nationally, but California is the top state by grant count and accounts for 20% of grants in the HQ state. Recent awards also cluster in New England, especially Massachusetts and Maine, alongside recipients in New York, Illinois, and California.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIONDOCS | RIDGEWOOD, NY | $75,000 | 2025 | FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF MILTON GUILLN'S PROJECT MY SKIN AND I AS PART OF THE FSC-LEF FELLOWSHIP |
| FILMMAKERS COLLABORATIVE INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT OF FILMMAKERS |
| CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY INC | SHARON, MA | $45,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR THE FOLLOWING:UNRESTRICTED GIFT IN SUPPORT OF CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY, AND INDEPENDENT WORKS BY SIOBHAN LANDRY, CAROLINA BORRAS, BROOKE SAIS, AND THE COMPLETION OF "THE DREAMERS AND I" |
| POINTS NORTH INSTITUTE | CAMDEN, ME | $40,000 | 2025 | A GRANT IN SUPPORT OF THE LEF/CIFF FELLOWSHIP |
| WOMEN MAKE MOVIES INC - AMANDA KOWA | NEW YORK, NY | $32,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF AMANDA KOWALSKI'S PROJECT, "OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS (WORKING TITLE)" |
| COLOR CONGRESS | OAKLAND, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF COLOR CONGRESS'S WORK TO STRENGTHEN BIPOC-LED MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS (1 OF 2) |
| MILTON GUILLEN | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF MILTON GUILLEN'S PROJECT, MY SKIN AND I. |
| DOCUMENTARY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INC | WATERTOWN, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT IN SUPPORT OF DOCUMENTARY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES |
| SARA ARCHAMBAULT | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF SARA ARCHAMBAULT'S PROJECT, "THE RIVER". |
| EXPERIMENTAL SOUND STUDIO - JODIE M | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF JODIE MACK'S PROJECT, "EARLY MOURNING, TARPON SPRINGS" |
| TUFTS UNIVERSITY - RICCARDO GIACCON | MEDFORD, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF RICCARDO GIACCONI'S PROJECT, "MEMORY OF LIGHTNING AND AFFIDAVIT AS PART OF THE HARVARD FS... |
| MIRABEL PICTURES - BANKER WHITE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF BANKER WHITE'S PROJECT, "HEAVEN THROUGH THE BACKDOOR" |
| FILM FORUM - LUKE MEYER | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF LUKE MEYER'S PROJECT, "THE TEACHERS PROJECT (WORKING TITLE)". |
| MUSEUM OF CERAMIC ARTSNY | NEW YORK, NY | $11,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE WORK OF THE MUSEUM OF CERAMIC ARTS/ NEW YORK |
| RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN | PROVIDENCE, RI | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE ARCHITECTURAL DEPARTMENT |
| FLAHERTYINTERNATIONAL FILM SEMINARS | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | IN SUPPORT OF 2 FELLOWSHIPS AT THE 2024 FLAHERTY SEMINAR, AND GENERAL OPERATING/STAFFING EXPENSES. |
| ROOTS AND BRANCHES CONSERVANCY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF ROOTS AND BRANCHES PROGRAMS |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION | NEW YORK, NY | $7,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE ACLU'S CIVIL RIGHTS WORK |
| MASSACHUSETTS PRODUCTION COALITION INC | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT OF FILM PRODUCTION |
| CERF | BATTLEBORO, VT | $6,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF CRAFT EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND/ CERF+ |
| LEOPOLD WRITING PROGRAM | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $6,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE WRITING RESIDENCY AT THE LEOPOLD WRITING PROGRAM |
| EVERSON MUSEUM OF ARTS | SYRACUSE, NY | $5,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF ARTS |
| CALISTOGA CARES FOOD BANK INC | CALISTOGA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE CALISTOGA CARES FOOD BANK |
| FILM INDEPENDENT - ERIN RAMIREZ AND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | ERIN RAMIREZ AND MONA XIA'S PROJECT, KOWLOON DYNASTY. |
| BLACKSTAR PROJECTS INC - LUIS ARNAS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF LUIS ARNAS'S PROJECT, "TONADA MENGUANTE" |
| MERCY CORP - NATIONAL PROCESSING | BOONE, IA | $4,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF MERCY CORPS RELIEF EFFORTS |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $4,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT OF DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS WORK IN PALESTINE |
| WATERSHED CENTER FOR THE CERAMIC ARTS | NEWCASTLE, ME | $4,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF THE WATERSHED CENTER FOR THE CERAMIC ARTS |
| GLOBAL GIVING | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF GLOBAL GIVING'S RELIEF WORK |
| AMERICAN INDIAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $3,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SOCIETY |
| ROADRUNNER FOOD BANK | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $3,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF ROADRUNNER FOOD BANK |
| AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICES | LEHI, UT | $3,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICES |
| FOOD BANK OF THE ROCKIES | DENVER, CO | $3,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE FOOD BANK OF THE ROCKIES |
| HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | HONOLULU, HI | $3,000 | 2025 | MAUI STRONG RELIEF FUND AT THE HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION |
| PROGRESS UNITY FUND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $3,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE PROGRESS UNITY FUND'S ORGANIZING ACTIVITIES |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN'S RELIEF WORK IN GAZA |
| YUCCA VALLEY MATERIAL LAB | YUCCA VALLEY, CA | $3,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE WORK OF THE YUCCA VALLEY MATERIAL LAMB |
| MAUSA | MCLEAN, VA | $3,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF MAUSA'S RELIEF WORK IN GAZA |
| INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY ASSOCIATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $3,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT THE ARCHIVAL PRODUCERS ALLIANCE AT CIFF 2024 |
| NEW MEXICO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $3,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF NEW MEXICO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY |
| SPARK | LARKSPUR, CA | $2,600 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR LARKSPUR CORTE MADERA SCHOOL DISTRICT'S 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR. |
| UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS FOUNDAT | NEWTON, MA | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF ROSALYN NEGRN'S PROJECT, "ROMPI FUENTE EN LA NOCHE (WATER BREAKS AT... |
| FRACTURED ATLAS PRODUCTIONS INC - E | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF "EZRA" ROSE ARSCOTT'S PROJECT, "PAPER TIES" |
| COOLIDGE CORNER THEATRE FOUNDATION INC | BROOKLINE, MA | $2,500 | 2025 | WORK OF THE THEATRE'S STAFF ON BEHALF OF THE NEW ENGLAND LEGACY SCREENINGS SERIES. |
| INDEPENDENT FILM SOCIETY OF BOSTON | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $2,500 | 2025 | A STRATEGIC GRANT IN SUPPORT OF THE 2024 INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL BOSTON |
| GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | FUNDING OF PARTICIPATION IN THE MOVING TRANS HISTORY FORWARD CONFERENCE. |
| NEW MEXICO LAND CONSERVANCY | SANTA FE, NM | $2,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE WORK OF THE NEW MEXICO LAND CONSERVANCY |
| NEW MEXICO VOICES FOR CHILDREN | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $2,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAMMING OF NEW MEXICO VOICES FOR CHILDREN |
| CONSERVATION COLORADO EDUCATION FUND | DENVER, CO | $2,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COLORADO EDUCATION FUND |
| SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE | SOUTH SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $2,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE |
UNIONDOCS
$75,000FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF MILTON GUILLN'S PROJECT MY SKIN AND I AS PART OF THE FSC-LEF FELLOWSHIP
FILMMAKERS COLLABORATIVE INC
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT OF FILMMAKERS
CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY INC
$45,000FUNDING FOR THE FOLLOWING:UNRESTRICTED GIFT IN SUPPORT OF CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY, AND INDEPENDENT WORKS BY SIOBHAN LANDRY, CAROLINA BORRAS, BROOKE SAIS, AND THE COMPLETION OF "THE DREAMERS AND I"
POINTS NORTH INSTITUTE
$40,000A GRANT IN SUPPORT OF THE LEF/CIFF FELLOWSHIP
WOMEN MAKE MOVIES INC - AMANDA KOWA
$32,500PROGRAM SUPPORT OF AMANDA KOWALSKI'S PROJECT, "OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS (WORKING TITLE)"
COLOR CONGRESS
FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF COLOR CONGRESS'S WORK TO STRENGTHEN BIPOC-LED MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS (1 OF 2)
MILTON GUILLEN
$25,000FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF MILTON GUILLEN'S PROJECT, MY SKIN AND I.
DOCUMENTARY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INC
$25,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT IN SUPPORT OF DOCUMENTARY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
SARA ARCHAMBAULT
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF SARA ARCHAMBAULT'S PROJECT, "THE RIVER".
EXPERIMENTAL SOUND STUDIO - JODIE M
$25,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF JODIE MACK'S PROJECT, "EARLY MOURNING, TARPON SPRINGS"
TUFTS UNIVERSITY - RICCARDO GIACCON
$20,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF RICCARDO GIACCONI'S PROJECT, "MEMORY OF LIGHTNING AND AFFIDAVIT AS PART OF THE HARVARD FS...
MIRABEL PICTURES - BANKER WHITE
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF BANKER WHITE'S PROJECT, "HEAVEN THROUGH THE BACKDOOR"
FILM FORUM - LUKE MEYER
$15,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF LUKE MEYER'S PROJECT, "THE TEACHERS PROJECT (WORKING TITLE)".
MUSEUM OF CERAMIC ARTSNY
$11,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE WORK OF THE MUSEUM OF CERAMIC ARTS/ NEW YORK
RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE ARCHITECTURAL DEPARTMENT
FLAHERTYINTERNATIONAL FILM SEMINARS
$10,000IN SUPPORT OF 2 FELLOWSHIPS AT THE 2024 FLAHERTY SEMINAR, AND GENERAL OPERATING/STAFFING EXPENSES.
ROOTS AND BRANCHES CONSERVANCY
$10,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF ROOTS AND BRANCHES PROGRAMS
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
$7,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE ACLU'S CIVIL RIGHTS WORK
MASSACHUSETTS PRODUCTION COALITION INC
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT OF FILM PRODUCTION
CERF
$6,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF CRAFT EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND/ CERF+
LEOPOLD WRITING PROGRAM
$6,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE WRITING RESIDENCY AT THE LEOPOLD WRITING PROGRAM
EVERSON MUSEUM OF ARTS
$5,500PROGRAM SUPPORT OF ARTS
CALISTOGA CARES FOOD BANK INC
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE CALISTOGA CARES FOOD BANK
FILM INDEPENDENT - ERIN RAMIREZ AND
$5,000ERIN RAMIREZ AND MONA XIA'S PROJECT, KOWLOON DYNASTY.
BLACKSTAR PROJECTS INC - LUIS ARNAS
$5,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF LUIS ARNAS'S PROJECT, "TONADA MENGUANTE"
MERCY CORP - NATIONAL PROCESSING
$4,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF MERCY CORPS RELIEF EFFORTS
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$4,000GENERAL SUPPORT OF DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS WORK IN PALESTINE
WATERSHED CENTER FOR THE CERAMIC ARTS
$4,000SUPPORT OF THE WATERSHED CENTER FOR THE CERAMIC ARTS
GLOBAL GIVING
$3,500PROGRAM SUPPORT OF GLOBAL GIVING'S RELIEF WORK
AMERICAN INDIAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
$3,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SOCIETY
ROADRUNNER FOOD BANK
$3,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF ROADRUNNER FOOD BANK
AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICES
$3,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICES
FOOD BANK OF THE ROCKIES
$3,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE FOOD BANK OF THE ROCKIES
HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$3,000MAUI STRONG RELIEF FUND AT THE HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
PROGRESS UNITY FUND
$3,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE PROGRESS UNITY FUND'S ORGANIZING ACTIVITIES
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN
$3,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN'S RELIEF WORK IN GAZA
YUCCA VALLEY MATERIAL LAB
$3,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE WORK OF THE YUCCA VALLEY MATERIAL LAMB
MAUSA
$3,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF MAUSA'S RELIEF WORK IN GAZA
INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY ASSOCIATION
$3,000PROGRAM SUPPORT THE ARCHIVAL PRODUCERS ALLIANCE AT CIFF 2024
NEW MEXICO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$3,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF NEW MEXICO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
SPARK
$2,600FUNDING FOR LARKSPUR CORTE MADERA SCHOOL DISTRICT'S 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR.
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS FOUNDAT
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT OF ROSALYN NEGRN'S PROJECT, "ROMPI FUENTE EN LA NOCHE (WATER BREAKS AT...
FRACTURED ATLAS PRODUCTIONS INC - E
$2,500PROGRAM SUPPORT OF "EZRA" ROSE ARSCOTT'S PROJECT, "PAPER TIES"
COOLIDGE CORNER THEATRE FOUNDATION INC
$2,500WORK OF THE THEATRE'S STAFF ON BEHALF OF THE NEW ENGLAND LEGACY SCREENINGS SERIES.
INDEPENDENT FILM SOCIETY OF BOSTON
$2,500A STRATEGIC GRANT IN SUPPORT OF THE 2024 INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL BOSTON
GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$2,000FUNDING OF PARTICIPATION IN THE MOVING TRANS HISTORY FORWARD CONFERENCE.
NEW MEXICO LAND CONSERVANCY
$2,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE WORK OF THE NEW MEXICO LAND CONSERVANCY
NEW MEXICO VOICES FOR CHILDREN
$2,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAMMING OF NEW MEXICO VOICES FOR CHILDREN
CONSERVATION COLORADO EDUCATION FUND
$2,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COLORADO EDUCATION FUND
SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE
$2,000PROGRAM SUPPORT OF THE SOUTHERN UTAH WILDERNESS ALLIANCE
Current and upcoming funding from Lef Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Long-format projects (40+ minutes). Primary creative personnel must reside in New England. Students enrolled in degree programs are ineligible. Fiscal sponsor required to receive awarded funds.
Deadline: August deadline (annual).
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
