LEF FOUNDATION

Contact information:
121 Circle Road

San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: 415-499-9591

Fax: 415-499-9592

PO Box 382066

Cambridge, MA 02238
Phone: 617-492-5333

Fax: 617-868-5603
Website: http://www.lef-foundation.org/

Type of foundation: Independent

Types of grants: Project; grants to individuals; seed money.

Description: Founded in 1985, the LEF Foundation supports the creation and presentation of contemporary works in the fields of visual art, performing art, new media, literary art, film, architecture and design. The Foundation is committed to supporting provocative and innovative projects. The Foundation often supports projects early in their development.

The Foundation maintains a California giving program and a New England giving program.

California: Grants are made to artistic and cultural projects and are primarily focused on three geographic areas: California, Hawaii and New Mexico.

New England: The goal of LEF New England is to fund the work of independent film and video artists in the region, and broaden recognition and support for their work locally and nationally. The Foundation provides multi-year funding for selected long-form film projects and sponsors programs that highlight the rich history and ongoing legacy of innovation within New England's independent film community.

LEF New England launched the Moving Image Fund (MIF) in 2002 to support independent film and video artists creating new work. MIF currently focuses on supporting on documentary filmmaking. Through MIF, LEF provides funding across all phases of production, supporting films from the early risk-taking stage, through a film's completion.

Sample grants (2007-08 grant year):

• $15,000 to Center for Independent Documentary for Chico Colvard's project, Family Affair.
• $15,000 to Educational Broadcasting Corporation for Frederick Wiseman's Boxing Gym.
• $10,000 to Free Speech TV (Boulder, CO) for purchase and broadcast of independently produced programs.
• $10,000 to KPFA in program support.
• $5,000 to WGBH for David Sutherland's project, Kind-Hearted Woman.
• $5,000 to Bay Area Video Coalition for its Next Generation program.
• $5,000 to KQED for its art series, SPARK.

Fit for public broadcasting: The Foundation supports film projects for public media as well as public media arts programs.

Eligibility: For the New England giving program, projects must be long format. Primary creative personnel must reside in New England (Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont or Maine). LEF will occasionally consider films made by filmmakers outside New England if the project has a particularly strong connection/relevance to New England. Priority will be given to projects with budgets under $350,000. All film applicants must have a fiscal sponsor.

Deadline:

California: No deadlines. Grant decisions are typically made quarterly.

New England: The next deadline for pre-production and production proposals is January 28, 2011.

How to apply: For the California program, send a one-page letter of inquiry (no attachments) to Marina Drummer, Grants Advisor at the California address above. If interested, the Foundation will request a full proposal.

Guidelines and applications for the New England program (Moving Image Fund) are available online.

Giving range: California grants range from $2,000 – $10,000. The New England program gives:

• Pre-production grants: $5,000.
• Production grants: $15,000.
• Post-production grants: $25,000.

Assets: $10,119,804 (year ending 6/30/08)

Total giving: $1,991,250 (year ending 6/30/08)