Update

Thanks to you, we reached our $5,000 goal. But don't let that stop you from giving just because it's the final days. Any amount over $5,000 will be put into administering the youth summer camps and is still tax-deductible and eligible for perks. THANK YOU!

Our Story

Docs In Progress is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization which trains emerging documentary filmmakers -- everyone from middle schoolers to retirees. As part of our commitment to creating community through documentary, we also offer opportunities for the public to see and discuss documentaries.  The Silver Spring Stories Program combines both of these efforts since we help local residents learn to make short documentaries about people in the community right outside our doors -- Silver Spring, Maryland and then share those films with their neighbors in an annual, free community film festival.

The Impact

Since Docs In Progress began offering our production classes and youth summer camps, community members have inquired about whether there are scholarships available. Since the income generated from these fee-for-service programs goes towards our bottom line of maintaining existence as an organization, until now, we have regretfully had to say no. Yet we would not feel like we are fulfilling our commitment to the community to say no to anyone who wants to learn documentary filmmaking. We hope that in 2012, you will help us finally be able to say YES and help all those who want to learn to make films be able to find their voice.

This campaign aims to broaden participation in our documentary filmmaking program by starting a scholarship fund which would allow local residents who might not otherwise be able to take one of our production classes or participate in our youth summer camp to learn the joy of self-expression through documentary filmmaking.  Recipients would be selected on the basis of need and an essay demonstrating their interest in documentary filmmaking. Additionally the campaign will support the showcasing of works produced by these emerging filmmakers at the next Silver Spring Stories Festival, scheduled to take place in September 2012.

What We Need?

We are looking to raise $5,000 for this campaign, so that we can begin offering the scholarships for our spring adult education production class and summer middle school and high school filmmaking camps.  While we have been funded in the past for the festival by local and state arts and humanities councils, few funders allow funds to be used for scholarship programs so we are turning to our friends in the community to help make this happen. 

So where would the funds go? 

• $1500 would allow us to offer one youth scholarship, covering the equivalent cost of the program and the administrative cost of publicizing the program and reviewing applications. 
  
• $3,000 would allow us to offer two youth scholarships (one for our middle school program and one for our high school program). 
  
• $4,500 would allow us to offer the two youth scholarships and one adult education scholarship, helping an underserved local resident document a story from their own community. 
  
• $5,000 would allow us to use the remaining funds would help cover the cost of renting auditorium space for our 2012 Silver Spring Stories Festival so that the filmmakers can have the experience of sharing these documentaries with as much of the broader community as possible.
• Any amount raised beyond $5,000 will be put towards other expenses related to the Youth Summer Camps, including stipends for camp counselors, field trips, and healthy snacks for the campers.
  

What You Get?

That's what we get, but what about you?  As much as a warm and fuzzy feeling and a tax deduction do it for some folks, this is an IndieGogo campaign, afterall, so you probably want to know what perks we have to offer.  Check them out at right.

And if you are not into online giving, you can still support this campaign.  Just visit our website for more details on how you can give by check, family funds, or endowment.