Non-profits, Research Institutions & Foundations

Center for Digital Democracy

The Center for Digital Democracy (CDD) is a non-for-profit "dedicated to ensuring that the public interest is a fundamental part of the new digital communications landscape."

The CDD's web site includes this resource, which provides listings of independent online TV and video sources for "civic, cultural and socially conscious content", including online TV stations featuring environmental programming, user-generated content, information on non-profits, and other political and social topics.

DOCULINK

D O C U L I N K, a non-profit for documentary filmmakers, is a community to "share information, leads, ideas, and a commitment to support each other's growth as nonfiction filmmakers". The site includes with a mailing list signup, online resources, and information on their regular meetings in cities in the US and Canada.

Film Independent

Film Independent, a Los Angeles-based non-profit focused on assisting indie filmmakers in making films, building audiences, and growing a diverse industry, provides information for filmmakers, film funders, and film viewers.

Filmmakers can find information about services for members, such as consultation programs on topics like line producing, legal, distribution/foreign sales, film festivals, and scripts; classes, workshops, and conferences; production rentals; film screenings; and their Los Angeles Film Festival and Spirit Awards.

Filmmakers Alliance

Filmmakers Alliance is a "community of film artists dedicated to the advancement of true independent film through community action." It focuses on building a strong collaborative filmmaking community where filmmakers share and support one another's projects in order to "restore humanity, authenticity, diversity, originality, intelligence, relevance, personal vision and emotional resonance to American Cinema."

Its web site details their services, films, and agendas for their upcoming monthly meetings, plus links to useful tools, resources, and festivals.

Renew Media

Established by the Rockefeller Foundation, Renew Media is a not-for-profit organization that "fosters independent artistic expression by supporting the creation, dissemination and public awareness of independent media."

The site offers information on funding opportunities for artists through Media Arts Fellowships, additional resources for media artists, screenings and events, film news, and a blog with useful articles and updates on the independent filmmaking.

Santa Fe Institute

This private, not-for-profit research and education center supports multidisciplinary work in the physical biological, computational, and social sciences with the goal of enabling researchers and scientists to "uncover the mechanisms that underlie the deep simplicity present in our complex world."

The web site offers information on the Santa Fe Institute itself, its fellowships, research papers and other publications, and educational programs intended to improve science literacy through Learn@sfi, including community lectures and a free magazine.

The Templeton Foundation

The John Templeton Foundation awards prizes and funds investigation into the natural sciences, human sciences, philosophy and theology, character development, freedom and free enterprise, gifted education, and world religions.

The site offers information on their organization, focus, grants, and prizes, including the European Templeton Film Award, which is awarded annually to "films of highest artistic merit that lend expression to viewpoints in keeping with the message of the Scriptures; to films which make audiences sensitive to spiritual and social values; or to films that stimulate debate in theses areas," as well as the biennial Kairos Prizes, which are intended to support the production of films that are "wholesome, uplifting and inspirational and that result in a greater increase in either man's understanding or love of God."