Native Youth Media Project Grants

Vision Maker Media’s Native Youth Media Project offers a unique funding and mentorship opportunity aimed at Native American youth organizations with long-standing, community-based programs. The initiative supports short-format media production by engaging Native youth aged 13 to 21 in storytelling projects across disciplines such as science, health, climate, education, art, culture, history, and language. Selected projects receive financial support and mentorship resources to produce a video that will culminate in a local community engagement activity. Eligible applicants must be U.S.-based Native communities or organizations with a sustainable youth program operating for at least three years. Vision Maker Media collaborates directly with these partners, allowing them autonomy over project direction while offering structural support through their network of Native American public media mentors. The program is designed to foster storytelling skills while maintaining cultural integrity and community relevance. Applications are accepted year-round and evaluated on a rolling basis. The maximum grant award is $25,000 per project, and applicants must include matching funds equal to or greater than the requested amount. These matches may be in cash or in-kind contributions but must be clearly reflected in the budget proposal. All awarded projects are also assigned a media mentor by Vision Maker Media to help guide curriculum development, provide skill-building support, and contribute to the success of the video deliverables. Applications are reviewed by a panel of public media professionals, educators, and Native content experts who assess program stability, reach, quality, and organizational leadership. The evaluation process includes a detailed review of infrastructure and long-term program impact. All final selections are subject to the approval of Vision Maker Media’s Board of Directors. Funded organizations are required to follow a number of contract terms including participant surveys, regular reporting, insurance documentation, and publicity deliverables such as headshots and behind-the-scenes media. Projects are expected to be documented in high-quality digital formats and archived appropriately. Both the media mentor and the organization are responsible for providing final reports and session logs to evaluate program success. Vision Maker Media is a nonprofit supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Since 1976, the organization has served as a leading platform for public media created by and about Native Americans. For more information about submitting a proposal, applicants may contact Vision Maker Media via email or phone.

Emphasize stability of the youth program, community engagement plans, and relevance of media themes to Native youth development.