The Power of Human Stories
The Raymond J. Christensen Foundation exists to enrich communities and culture through the documentary stories of independent filmmakers.
In order to support emerging visionaries on their journey to tell powerful stories, our approach provides grants to artists from underrepresented communities who seek to create new paradigms through the power of visual storytelling. Our grants offer the opportunity to explore, evolve, and develop stories that provide new perspectives, educate, and connect with audiences on a deeper level. Ray’s passion for projects that embrace collaboration, community engagement, and learning is instilled into our values and grantmaking process.
About Ray
A Growing Legacy to Pay it Forward
Raymond J. Christensen was a documentary filmmaker based out of Minnesota who believed in the power of human stories. In the words of his peers, Ray’s films had a way of inspiring people to see the usual in unexpected and unusual ways. We wish to honor his legacy and amplify the voices of independent documentary filmmakers who share stories which inspire, spark curiosity, and lead us to envision new paradigms.
Ray’s legacy is summed up in a belief he shared throughout his life, and it’s this mindset and drive we strive to perpetuate in the filmmakers we encourage and support with our grants:
“Always be curious. Never lose your sense of wonder. “
Our Approach
We are centered on equity, diversity and inclusion.
We believe that diversity and equity in filmmaking is best manifested in representation and driven by inclusion. By choosing to support projects that amplify the voices of underrepresented communities, we aim to ensure that all voices are heard regardless of the production challenges they may face. Our grantmaking and selection process involves careful study and reevaluation of how our mission relates to a filmmaker’s vision and the stories they wish to tell. It’s about learning and creating a space where diverse narratives reflect the complexity of the human experience.
Our Panel
Meet the people behind the panel
In order to uncover the most powerful stories, our approach for reviewing grant applications includes local filmmakers and industry professionals from various backgrounds.
In an effort to foster more community engagement, we encourage former grant recipients to be a part of the grantmaking process to ensure diversity and culture is represented. As an artist who has gone through this process, our organizational values and what we’re looking for in a meaningful project are inherently aligned. From the community, for the community.
Our Grants
Do you have a story to tell?
By awarding grants to support the filmmaking process, we help emerging artists based in Minnesota share their stories and promote new human paradigms. From post production to distribution – we believe a filmmaker should be afforded every opportunity to explore, evolve, and develop their work. If you’re an independent writer, director, or producer working on your first or second documentary – then we want to hear from you!
