Looking FWD: Support FWD-Doc, Now a 501(c)(3)
To say this year has been a rollercoaster is an understatement. The disability community has faced devastating cuts to Medicaid, and key sources of funding for our community are disappearing with the defunding of public media. However, it’s also been full of community connection, incredible successes with member films and some other exciting updates: We’re proud to announce that FWD-Doc is officially a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization!
This major step unlocks so many opportunities to further and expand our work fighting for accessibility and representation within and outside of the industry, as well as our unwavering support for disabled creators. Now you can make tax-deductible donations directly to our organization to uplift media by, for and about people with disabilities.
As we embark on our first ever fundraising campaign, Looking FWD, we invite you to give, if you are able, and take the next step in showing your solidarity to our members — disabled and ally filmmakers, actors, accessibility specialists, executives, writers, and more — who work across the industry.
Our 1,300+ members need support and solidarity from those of you with the means to give, more than ever before. Building an organization by and for disabled makers takes a lot of work, intentionality, and patience.
Your donations can help to support things like…
Accessibility ♿
ASL and language interpreters at all member meetings
Alt text, image descriptions, and captions across all communications
A sector-leading accessible work environment and infrastructure (including technology, databases and communication tools) for FWD-Doc staff and contractors
Programs 📝
A redesigned Festival Event Accessibility Scorecard, which will deliver key access data to festivals based on real feedback on accessibility and experiences by attendees
Opportunities for members to grow their professional networks, gain hands-on work experience, and develop their own skills and projects
The creation of new frameworks to increase disabled filmmakers’ access to key industry opportunities like screenings, awards campaign events, fellowships and labs
Membership Community 💖
A multi-month virtual learning series offering skill building opportunities on topics like LLC creation, distribution, fundraising and marketing
Building a custom membership platform drawing from survey feedback to provide members accessible, easy-to-use tools for gathering, sharing information and developing projects
Leveraging FWD-Doc’s networks to promote and uplift dozens of member projects and impact campaigns every year
At first glance, it doesn’t seem like a $5, $10, or $20 monthly donation could make a difference, but it does. $5 turns into $60, and $10 turns into $120. All of this makes a difference. As much as we like to fantasize that this dystopian reality will evaporate tomorrow, we are all in for a marathon.
As members and leaders, each day we will choose resilience over fear. The people — ordinary citizens — have always powered social change. Since the beginning of FWD-Doc, we’ve vowed to never charge membership dues to ensure that everyone can join and benefit from our community. This will not change. If you’re a member who wants to support, just forwarding this email to your network, or sharing our social posts can help immensely!