Organizer Information
Working Assumptions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Berkeley, California, dedicated to using visual storytelling to illuminate the complexities of modern family life. By supporting photographers and photo-based artists, the organization fosters compassion and sparks critical dialogue around themes of caregiving, belonging, and the interdependent nature of communities. Their mission centers on the belief that looking at the "everyday give-and-take" of care can fundamentally change how we understand ourselves and our social structures.
Title & Description
Working Assumptions: 2026 Project Grants for Visual Storytelling.
Each year, this program awards six unrestricted grants of $10,000 each to support projects that utilize photography or photo-based art to explore family dynamics and care. The grants are designed to inspire audiences to view caregiving not just as a private responsibility, but as a universal human experience. Whether for artistic, journalistic, therapeutic, or research-based purposes, these grants provide practitioners with the creative freedom to document and share narratives that define contemporary belonging. The funding is specifically aimed at projects already in progress, ensuring support for dedicated storytellers committed to the public consumption of their work.
Categories
Photography, Documentary, and Photo-based Art.
Eligibility
- Open to Domestic (United States) residents or citizens.
- Requirements: Must have a U.S. tax ID (or SSN), a U.S. bank account, and be at least 18 years old.
- Status: Individual artists or collaborations are welcome; organizations are not eligible.
- Timeline: Projects must have been initiated prior to the application deadline.
- Exclusions: Employees or grant recipients of Working Assumptions within the last two years are ineligible.
Program Benefits and Awards
- Grant Amount: Six (6) unrestricted awards of $10,000 each.
- Creative Freedom: Funding is unrestricted, allowing recipients full control over their process.
- Public Impact: Support for projects designed for public consumption to spark reflection and community dialogue.
- Grant Period: 8-month period running from October 2026 to June 2027.
Fees
- Application Fee: Free to apply.
- There are no costs associated with submitting a proposal.
Application Requirements
- Proposals should focus on photography or photo-based art within artistic, therapeutic, educational, or research contexts.
- Application must be submitted via the official online grant platform.
- Projects must explore the give-and-take of family, caregiving, and interdependence.
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted through the Working Assumptions grant portal during the open window starting May 1. Apply for Working Assumptions Project Grants
Key Dates
- Application Portal Opens: May 1, 2026.
- Submission Deadline: June 1, 2026.
- Winners Announced: September 2026.
- Grant Period: October 2026 – June 2027.
Location
United States / Online.
Additional Details
For specific inquiries or to access the communications toolkit (including social assets and the 1-pager), interested applicants can contact the organization at grants@workingassumptions.org or via phone at 510.704.9734.