AMPLIFY STORIES WITH PURPOSE

SETTING INNOVATIVE STORIES IN MOTION

We support innovators whose ideas have the power to shape culture and improve lives.

Grant partner: Willie Mae Rock Camp
Photo Credit: Laurence Sumulong

We support innovators whose ideas have the power to shape culture and improve lives.

OUR MISSION: Energize people and communities through creativity, storytelling and artistic expression

OUR VISION: Opportunities for creative expression are accessible to all so that overlooked communities thrive and everyone benefits

MEET BOB SHAYE, OUR FOUNDER

Back in the late ‘60s, Bob launched New Line Cinema from his New York apartment with the goal of thrilling audiences with unforgettable stories. Bob got his start distributing obscure films to college campuses and eventually grew New Line into one of Hollywood’s leading independent studios.

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OUR STORY

During his 40 years at New Line, Bob showed a knack for spotting vital stories and gifted storytellers, from the psychological terror of Freddy Krueger in “Nightmare on Elm Street” to the sweeping epic of “Lord of the Rings.” Under Bob’s leadership, New Line was a haven for unconventional creatives. We bring that same independent spirit to our work at The Four Friends Foundation, amplifying influential and often underrepresented voices with stories that have the power to reshape our cultural landscape.

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We believe creativity unlocks potential and good ideas come from everywhere.

We fund creative youth development organizations that energize and inspire young people through artistic expression.

Our current grant partners teach everything from creative coding to music production to poetry writing to dance.

Through our flagship 4Youth grant program, we invest in Strategic Storytelling for arts education nonprofits so they can engage audiences, mobilize support and create a ripple effect of opportunity.

We help transform visionary creative youth development organizations by providing them with resources to tell their remarkable stories.

Grant partner: Willie Mae Rock Camp
Video: Christopher Andrews Studio

STRATEGIC
STORIES +
AUDIENCE
ENGAGEMENT =

Opportunity

Communications funding is often a low priority, or is simply seen as too expensive for small to medium-sized nonprofits.

In a recent survey of 800 nonprofit leaders, 77% cited communications as one of their biggest organizational challenges. [The Building Movement Project, 2022]

Our Solution: Invest in Strategic Storytelling – communications projects that are clearly aligned to organizational goals and outcomes.

4Youth Grants: 3 types of support

Grant partner: Zeno Mountain Farm

STRATEGIC STORYTELLING SUPPORT

GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT

We offer unrestricted funding alongside our strategic storytelling grant dollars because we recognize the importance of flexible dollars.

Grant partner: InsideOut Literary Arts
Still from Video by Kingdom Eye

Grant partner: Urban Arts
Still from video by Phe studios

CONSULTING SUPPORT

We offer expertise in scoping projects and sourcing vendors.

Strategic storytelling in practice

some examples from our grant partners

  • Strategic communications and marketing plan
  • Video and film production
  • Branding strategy: key messaging, logo, mission statement, elevator pitch
  • Print and digital collateral: annual report and brochures
  • Website development
  • Partnership pitch decks
  • Social media and anniversary campaigns
  • Development plan aligned with communications

Grant partner: National Dance Institute
Still From Video Directed By Benjamin Ryan Nathan Produced By All Of Us Films

Please note: We are unable to accept unsolicited proposals as this grant opportunity is determined through an invitation-only process.