It doesn't matter if you own a highly operating business or a small café across the street, funding is required. There are many funding organizations that would love to support the project you have been working on. Look for as many opportunities as possible and apply for funds.
YouTUBE Video
why should you apply for funding?
We have all experienced a roller coaster of challenges as creators. There are resources that you can access in your local region to help reduce these setbacks.
Let’s be honest no one likes to apply for grants, including myself; however, there are resources aimed at your specific needs, niche, and genre. To forgo the opportunity in applying is doing yourself and your audience a disservice.
So in case, you consider applying for funding, let’s get down t the basics.
Do I need funding as a small creator?
Funding is fuel to a business. It doesn't matter if you own a successful company or a small café across the street; funding is necessary. As a creator, you need resources like businesses to help launch successful projects and make them manageable. Imagine being able to work with a team of experts in your next project, having the latest equipment to better share your story, or access to paid marketing for your project!
To creators, this is where funding can make a huge difference that can make, or break a project.
organizations for creators
Many organizations support the creative community and i'm sure with the help of Google you would be able to find ones local to you, but I want to talk about STORYHIVE in Western Canada, which focuses on filmmakers in this blog.
STORYHIVE's Goal
“STORYHIVE wants to accelerate your creativity and development through funding, distribution and support from TELUS to help BC and Alberta creators move their career goals ahead. It is dedicated to supporting and amplifying local stories and voices”
STORYHIVE is essentially a platform targeting and trying to engage creators in Canada. So far through this initiative, they've successfully funded over 500 projects, they've engaged up to more than 18,000 creators, and they have already awarded $11 million since 2013.
2021 Black Creator Edition
What's really cool about this platform is that they teamed up with a Black Screen Office group. They announced a Black Creator Edition through which they're hoping to pump over $400,000 to fund black filmmakers between Alberta and BC. If you have ideas and stories to tell, this platform will give you all the tools you need to help you get your idea out there.
They make sure to provide you with the mentorship, the distribution and even a community you will be comfortable working. BSO is a huge deal, helping black filmmakers, creators, video makers, basically people to penetrate this industry.
STORYHIVE's goal with this Edition is to support capacity building for Black content creators in British Columbia and Alberta and empower the next generation of Black creators.
How does it work
This platform funds screen-based projects that capture the local communities in a very creative way. STORYHIVE supports stories that reflect its local areas’ culture, environment and society.
Once your projects are submitted, there's a chance that it may be featured on TELUS Optik TV through the Community Showcase program.
How to apply
Check this link here to learn more and apply STORYHIVE.com/apply
NEW BLOG SERIES
I am starting a journey of my own and want to share my process. One of the philosophies that I'm a big advocate for is this idea of building in front of people.
Over these next few weeks, in hopes of educating and sharing with people, I will be showing my process of applying for this particular grant.
Signup to newsletter if you want more tips and insights into this journey.