Greenwich Film Festival to support charities with new Community Impact Awards
GREENWICH — The Greenwich International Film Festival is looking to extend a helping hand to Fairfield County nonprofits through a new grant program designed to help area residents in need during this coronavirus crisis.
The GIFF will accept applications through Dec. 31 from nonprofits for Community Impact Awards that would be used “toward the benefit of an underserved portion of the population within the broad community of Fairfield County.”
It will award “one or more charity partners a significant financial grant” of up to $100,000 at a time when the pandemic is “still very much a daily reality and communities around the world (are) struggling in unprecedented fashion,” the GIFF said in a statement.
“GIFF was founded with the goal of merging the worlds of film finance and philanthropy,” said Wendy Stapleton, festival co-founder and chairman of the board.
“The charitable component of our festival is what differentiates us from other festivals around the world. We are so grateful to the community for believing in us and getting behind our vision. This is a way for us to say ‘thank you’ to the people who helped make us at a time where there is so much need. We are in a position to help others and that’s what we intend to do. ”
The Greenwich International Film Festival canceled its in-person events last spring and does not plan an in-person festival for 2021.
Avirtual social impact film showcase from Feb. 18 to Feb. 21 that will feature “important films of merit,” Executive Director Ginger Stickel said.
“Before the pandemic, we benefited charity partners that were tied to our films and honorees with festival proceeds,” Stickel said. “Given the tremendous need in our community, and the fact that it is not in the best interest of public health to host a physical festival, we want to support the community in a large-scale way.”
Applications will be accepted from any Fairfield County-based tax-exempt organization that provides education, health care or basic human rights benefits to those in need. The funds may be used to add new initiatives, expand programs or subsidize existing programs.
The grant awards will be announced in early February.
“We want to leverage our brand and marketing ability to the greatest extent possible to amplify the impact of the donation,” Stapleton said.
Stickel credited the film festival’s board and its donors for “helping us to achieve our mission and provide significant support to the community.”
Also, the Bill and Ann Bresnan Foundation is making it possible for the GIFF to offer its Best Social Impact Film award in February, with the winner receiving a $10,000 cash prize.
For information and the application, visit www.greenwichfilm.org.