Vital Impacts Environmental Photography Grant 2025

Vital Impacts offers a $20,000 grant and six $5,000 grants aimed at supporting long-term, locally based, environmental photography projects with communities working to protect the environment and wildlife.

Overview

The grants serve a dual purpose: to provide support and encouragement to visual storytellers embarking on long-term documentary photography projects, and to foster collaboration with local communities dedicated to environmental and wildlife conservation efforts.

The aim is to spotlight solution-based environmental initiatives through visual storytelling. Recipients will have the opportunity to dedicate their time, guided by mentorship and intellectual freedom, towards producing a compelling body of work.

In addition to the grants, Vital Impacts will select ten emerging photographers to participate in an intensive mentorship program. 

Over the span of twelve months, the selected individuals will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one sessions with industry experts, renowned photographers, and influential photo editors. Through these mentorship sessions, participants will refine their storytelling skills, receive guidance on navigating the industry, and establish vital connections.

Practical Info

Vital Impacts is seeking out local photographers deeply embedded within their communities, possessing both the knowledge and passion to report on environmental issues, particularly those relevant to their own surroundings. They are on the lookout for individuals who can convey the complexities of environmental or conservation challenges, along with potential solutions. 

It's imperative that grant recipients focus on documenting a story within their own community. Their goal is to bolster local journalism, so they are specifically targeting photographers rooted in the communities they aim to spotlight. They won't be considering applications from photographers outside of the respective community or country. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply in their native language or in English. For proposals submitted in foreign languages, they will arrange for translation services to ensure fair evaluation and consideration. 

Prior publication experience is not a requirement. Vital Impacts is particularly interested in uplifting photographers who have been working on long term projects and who have existing relationships with the stakeholders in this issue.

Applicants are required to submit a selection of 15–20 images that demonstrate their experience photographing a local conservation story. These images should represent 1–2 bodies of work or photo stories, as opposed to being a collection of stills. Submissions must also include a short synopsis, a statement describing the planned project, a bio, and social media tags. The application fee is waived for all applicants from developing countries—please contact hello@vitalimpacts.org to request a fee waiver code.

About Vital Impacts Environmental

Vital Impacts is a women-led 501c3 non-profit organization that uses art and storytelling to amplify and support the work of communities who are protecting people, wildlife and habitats worldwide. The mission of their non-profit is to support both grassroots conservation organizations and the photographers and artists who work to tell critical environmental stories.