HOW IT WORKS
Documentaries and movies are powerful tools for social change. VegFund screening grants can cover screening licenses and event-related costs of screenings such as venue rental, literature, and vegan food samples. Great documentaries engage the viewer emotionally through skillful storytelling about real lives and events while revealing information that is obscured from the public eye. Imaginative and entertaining filmmaking effectively stirs the emotions of viewers.
- Be sure to read the Grant Guidelines below that apply to all grants.
- Select the film. Most films require you to pay a license fee to screen the film for more than just one person. VegFund can fund up to $250 towards licensing fees and will reimburse you after the film has been screened. See VegFund’s list of recommended films for screening events.
- Determine the venue. You know your community, so you are in the best position to determine the type of venue to suit your needs. Many activists screen films in local schools, churches, or libraries, which typically don’t charge hefty rental fees. You can also consider renting a public movie theatre — in some cases, with VegFund’s help.
- What will your event look like? Consider offering an introduction to the film, holding a Q&A session, or serving vegan food samples to your guests. Films are an entertaining and natural way to engage audiences, so use the screening as an opportunity to make stronger connections to film-goers.
- Include educational literature. Your table must include free vegan educational literature. Ensure that everyone who receives a food sample is offered literature or information — and keep track of how many pieces of literature you hand out. Check out VegFund’s Recommended literature for guidance.
- Make a budget. Your budget should include all costs related to the event, including the cost of the venue, the film’s license, and any promotions.
- Review VegFund’s organization-wide Grant Guidelines to ensure that the expenses you wish to have VegFund cover are eligible.
- Measure your success. Consider ahead of time how you will measure the effectiveness of your event. VegFund will ask for this information in your final report. This information should include number of people reached, estimated number of non-vegans, attendee reactions, success of Q&A (if applicable). Consider creating a simple survey for attendees and/or vendors to provide feedback about the event.
- Apply for a VegFund grant! Applying for a grant is easy if you’ve followed the instructions above. U.S. applicants should submit their applications at least three weeks before the event date. Applicants outside the United States should submit applications at least four weeks prior to the event date. Include your budget. If you have questions about the application or any step in the application process, you can reach out to our grants administrator for answers.
- Order the film. Many filmmakers will send you a DVD or Blu-ray; others will send you a link to a download or streaming site. Make sure you know what format your venue requires, have the film in-hand, and test it well in advance of your event. Distributors of DVDs may require at least 14 days advance notice to get a copy of a film to you.
- Promote your event, as appropriate, through email, newsletters, social media, local TV, newspapers, and event websites. Check out Tips for event promotion for further guidance.
- Reporting and Reimbursement. Within 30 days following your screening, complete the final report in the VegFund grant portal. You’ll be asked for much of the information you collected above, including:
- number of attendees (vegan and non-vegan)
- attendee reactions
- itemized receipts
- photos from the event (marquee/signage, attendees, Q&A session, literature, etc.)
GRANT GUIDELINES
Who does VegFund support?
- VegFund supports vegan activists (individuals and nonprofit organizations) who promote messages and behaviors that are 100% plant-based and free of animal exploitation.
- Grantees must be 18 years of age or older. VegFund may work with activists under the age of 18 if they are partnering with an adult.
- VegFund strongly prefers that applicants are vegan. We may make exceptions for non-vegan individuals hosting film screenings or non-vegans partnering with vegans to host an event that targets a mostly non-vegan audience.
What does VegFund fund?
- VegFund funds outreach activities that promote a strictly vegan message and use 100% vegan products. VegFund favors projects that demonstrate an effective outreach strategy targeting non-vegans.
- Most grants are provided as reimbursements rather than up-front payments. We require that all grantees submit itemized receipts and reports on their activities.
- For events or in-person activities, VegFund will fund only events that are open to the public. In some cases, we will support events that charge a nominal admission fee (usually no more than $5 [US]).
What does VegFund not support?
- VegFund will not fund any activity or event that involves animal exploitation. This includes events offering foods with animal products, venues such as zoos or non-sanctuary farms, or use of supplies that contain animal products.
- We do not fund applications for events or projects that have already taken place. All grant applications must be submitted at least two weeks (preferably more) in advance of the event or project to be considered for VegFund support.
- VegFund does not fund for-profit entities or projects that seek to raise money.
- VegFund does not fund personnel expenses covering an activist’s time or travel.
- VegFund will not provide funding or reimbursement for alcohol. We may consider funding events in which alcohol is available or served as long as grant funds do not cover those costs.
- VegFund does not fund events in private homes.
VegFund evaluates grant applications based on the following criteria:
- Does the applicant have a defined plan in place to carry out the project?
- Is there a clear, itemized budget?
- Is there a specific start date and end date?
- For larger projects and events, is there a team in place, or is this a one-person-show?
- Does the project target a non-vegan audience?
- Does the project target a specific non-vegan audience, and is that audience well-defined?
- Does the applicant provide evidence for targeting these audiences?
- Does the project deliver a compelling vegan message?
- Does the applicant present clearly defined goals for the project?
- Is there a communications plan, if needed?
- Is there a clear plan for evaluating event/activity effectiveness?
Visit VegFund’s Grant Overview page for a summary of the grant programs and how to begin your grant application.
Not sure if your project meets VegFund’s grant guidelines? Reach out to grants@vegfund.org, and we’ll respond to your questions at our earliest convenience.
Required Materials
Crediting VegFund
Including VegFund in your messaging In the interest of informing the veg-interested public of the availability of grant-funding through VegFund,...
Recommended literature
VegFund requires that all grantees offer some form of literature or information at grant-funded events that educates the public about...
Sampling food at your event?
If you’re sampling food, keep in mind… If your vegan outreach activity includes a food sampling element, be sure to...
Measuring your success
For most grant activities, VegFund requires that you develop metrics ahead of your project to measure the success and effectiveness...
HELPFUL MATERIALS
Activist story
Vegan activists from the Italian organization Essere Animali hosted a highly successful tour of the new feature-length documentary film, The...
Film-screenings checklist
This simple checklist will help you to ensure you've got everything covered for your film-screening event!
Veg pledges
Recommended veg pledges, challenges, and starter kits
When you’re engaged in vegan outreach and someone expresses interest in taking the next step, it's important to have a call to action ready to support them. Veg pledges are designed to motivate and guide people who wish to explore veganism further.
Try Veg
Encourage your event attendees to download Compassion Over Killing’s FREE vegan starter guide. It’s the perfect beginner’s guide to compassionate...
Veganuary
Encourage your event attendees to try vegan with Veganuary! This online veg pledge has all of the information and guidance...
Recommended films
The Last Pig
This feature-length documentary is perfect for sharing in your community. The Last Pig will move your audience and inspire them to question...
Kangaroo the Movie
Kangaroo: A Love–Hate Story, a brand new film that has swept the nation’s film festivals, is now available to screen...
Recommended Films for Screening
Based on VegFund’s grantees’ popular go-to vegan film choices and the latest trends within the mainstream media, here is a selection of recommended vegan documentaries and films to show in your communities this year.
Post-screening discussion guide
A discussion or Q&A session following a film screening can be a valuable addition to your event. Check out our discussion guide for more information and tips.
FAQs
Do I have to be vegan to receive a grant from VegFund?
The simple answer is yes. We may make exceptions for non-vegan individuals hosting VegFund-approved film screenings or non-vegans partnering with vegans to host an event that aims to reach a mostly non-vegan audience. In addition to our mission of spreading information about veganism, one of VegFund’s primary goals is to support vegan activists and their efforts. As a result, we require that every project we fund have at least one vegan organizer who can act as a “vegan ambassador” on behalf of other vegans.
Do I have to be from the United States to receive a grant from VegFund?
No! VegFund supports grantees all over the world. For non-US-based grantees, we require that the fund recipient use a PayPal account to receive grant funds.
Does VegFund purchase the food, serving supplies, and literature?
No. Grantees are responsible for purchasing these items after your grant request is approved. Keep all receipts and submit these along with your final report following the project or grant activity.
What sort of projects has VegFund supported in the past?
A list of activities VegFund will support or has supported includes:
- Billboards
- Conferences
- Food sample costs
- Film license fees for public screenings
- Humane education curriculum development
- Local guides to veganism
- Mentored challenges
- Online campaigns
- Paid-per-view video outreach equipment and incentives
- Panel discussions
- Pledge campaigns
- Research
- Social media ad promotion
- Venue rental
- Vegan festivals, “vegfests,” or similar events
- Vegan starter kits
What items does VegFund not reimburse?
VegFund reserves the right to withhold reimbursement for the following items: non-vegan foods, excessive or wasteful items, food or ingredients that contain products not readily available for purchase in your area, gratuities, wages, travel expenses, food for volunteers, or events that take place in private homes. With some exceptions, VegFund also does not fund full meals for events or event attendees.
How does VegFund distribute payment to grantees?
All grant payments are made electronically. Domestic grantees (with payment accounts based in the United States) will receive payment through Bill.com, a third-party epayment system that deposits funds directly into your bank account. Non-domestic grantees (with payment accounts based outside the United States) will receive payment through PayPal.com or American Express FX International Payments.
Do I need to provide my Social Security number to receive a grant payment?
Yes, US-based grantees are required to provide their Social Security number in order to receive payment. This information is not used to report income to the IRS, nor is it shared with anyone beyond the ePayment processor VegFund's bank is partnered with. The sole use of the SSN is to verify the identity of the bank account holder.
How much money should I ask for?
We’re asked this question frequently, and there’s no set answer to this question. Make your case for your project, and the grants team will review it and ask questions if they need clarification.
- For mentored campaigns and pledges, VegFund will typically fund up to $20 per participant.
- For food samplings, VegFund will typically fund up to $1 per individual reached.
- For film screenings, VegFund will fund up to $250 for a screening license.
I received a grant. How should I promote/thank VegFund?
Our mission is to empower you and your organization to bring more attention to the vegan cause. However, we do appreciate the following:
- When VegFund helps fund events in veg-friendly forums, such as at a conferences or festivals, we ask that you post a small sign (see Required Materials above) that provides VegFund’s website address so that other interested activists can find us.
- For media-based grants or sponsorship listings, please acknowledge VegFund’s support with a link and, if possible, a logo for the same purpose. Logos can be found on our Press page.
- For event recaps in social media or websites, we do appreciate mention for the benefit of other activists who may be looking for support.