LSI PHILANTHROPY FUND & PHOTOGRAPHY GRANT

Supporting Important Emerging Photographers

In 2015, the LSI Philanthropy Fund was established as a means for the Society to give back to the larger photographic community. Its mission is to raise money in order to fund the LSI Photography Grant.

Open to all photographers, the grant has been established to provide financial support for deserving, talented photographers, who are starting or in the process of completing a personal photographic project and to provide opportunities for their work to be seen by a larger audience. The grant is awarded each October at the LSI annual meeting. The applications process is announced during the summer preceding the annual meeting. Check back regularly for details. Grant recipients are featured LSI’s acclaimed Viewfinder quarterly journal, have the chance to be featured in a Leica Gallery, and more.

The 2022 grant is sponsored by LSI and Leica USA, Leica Society International and Leica USA. For more information, please email Richard Rejino, LSI Executive Director at info@lhsa.org, or call 972-233-9107 ext. 211.

Donate to the LSI Philanthropy Fund & Photography Grant
In May, 2022 we established the Philanthropy Fund Endowment to provide funding every year for our Photo Grant Program for rising photographers from around the world. Contributions to the Endowment are fully tax-deductible in the US and many other places. We welcome your contribution.

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LSI - Leica Society International’s mission has been designated a not-for-profit organization through section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States of America. Learn more.

LSI Photography Grant - 2022 Grant has been awarded
The LSI is proud to announce that it is partnering with Leica USA to offer our most exciting Global Photo Grant yet. This year's grant will support Leica's "The World Deserves Witness" campaign and will focus on Photojournalism. Our sixth annual Photography Grant in the amount of $5,000 has been established to provide financial support for deserving photographers who are in the process of creating or completing a personal photographic project and to provide opportunities for their work to be seen by a larger audience.

For the first time, and in addition to the $5000, the winner of the grant also will receive a Leica M10 camera with a 50mm Summilux, courtesy of Leica USA. Together a $18,000 value!

The number of applications is limited to fifty (50). All applications have a fee of $35 USD and must adhere closely to the application requirements.

The application period is now closed. The grant has been awarded.

2023 LSI Photography Grant

The Leica Society International is proud to announce its 7th Annual Photography Grant. The application period will begin on August 1 and end on September 7. The LSI Grant was established in 2017 to provide financial support for deserving photographers who are in the process of creating or completing a personal photographic project.

Grant Amount: The recipient will receive a grant in the amount of $7500. The grant award will also include a new Leica Q3 camera, courtesy of Leica Camera US. The recipient is responsible for any applicable taxes in their local jurisdiction.

Gallery Exhibit: In addition to the grant, the recipient will also have the honor of showing their work in an exhibition at the Leica Gallery in Porto, Portugal. The opening premier of the exhibit will be held during the LSI Spring Shoot in Porto, from May 16 – 18, 2024.

Grant Theme: Our Fragile Planet: Photography has the power to bring awareness to important issues such as the delicate balance between humankind and nature. Grant applicants should submit a personal photography project that illustrates and/or explores the natural or human-made challenges our planet faces. We’re looking for stories that are environmental, political, or people-centered in their point of view.

The number of applications will be limited to sixty (60). All applications have a non-refundable fee of $30 USD. If an application does not follow the theme or adhere to the application requirements, it will be rejected. This is a global program, where allowed by law. The application period will begin on August 1 and end on September 7 or when the limit of 60 is reached, whichever comes first.

Click here to submit your application.

SUMMARY OF APPLICATION RULES

The LSI Photography Grant is open to photographers who are at least 18 years old on or before July 31, 2023.
Membership in LSI is not required.
Use of a Leica camera is not required.
Images must be the work and property of the photographer. Any required releases are the responsibility of the photographer.
The photographic project may be new or in progress and must be completed within one year of being awarded.
By entering, you agree to release and hold harmless the LSI and its officers, directors, and agents from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest.
Past recipients of the grant and Officers and Directors of LHSA are not eligible to enter.
LSI reserves the right to amend grant rules and submission guidelines.
LSI reserves the right to not award a grant if in the sole judgment of the jury there is no submission warranting a grant.
Deadline: Applications must be submitted no later than September 7, 2023, 11:59 PM CST or before the limit of 60 applications is reached.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Payment of Application Fee: $30.00 USD

Artist bio/Statement

Applicant’s Name · address · phone · email
Project Title
Project Description: A written proposal (no more than one page) that describes the purpose and nature of the project and how you will accomplish it.
Grant funds budget: A budget detailing expenses you expect to incur during the completion of the project.
Any applicable website/social media links

Portfolio Requirements

Applications must include a portfolio of 10 images that illustrate the project
Each image file name must include the Photographer’s name, title, and sequence number. (i.e.: smith[title]01)

SELECTION PROCESS

Ten to fifteen applications will be selected by an LSI Preliminary Judging Panel to be sent to our jury of distinguished photographers for the Finalist Phase. Finalist jurors include Craig Semetko, Maggie Steber, Sara Terry, and Peter Turnley. This list may change. All decisions of the selection panel or the judges will be final.
LSI reserves the right to amend grant rules and submission guidelines.
LSI reserves the right not to award a grant if in the sole judgment of the jury there is no submission warranting a grant.
The grant winner will be announced at the LSI Annual Meeting & Conference Oct 13-15, 2022.
The recipient will be featured in LSI’s prestigious quarterly journal, Viewfinder, and may be considered for an exhibition at a Leica Store or Gallery.

NOTIFICATION OF AWARD, DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS & DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION

Grant recipient(s) shall be selected and notified by e-mail or telephone before the 2023 Annual Meeting.
The recipient will be invited to attend the LSI annual meeting and make a short presentation in person or by recording.
Grant funds will be disbursed in two portions. $6500 up-front before project completion. The remaining $1000 will be disbursed upon completion of the project and upon receipt of a Project Report/ photo essay in digital form for the LSI website.
Grant recipients are expected to provide a brief follow-up report/blog post/photo essay upon completion of the project that describes how the project progressed and provides a detailed explanation of how funds were used.
Final Project reports must be submitted within a year of the award disbursement unless extended by LSI.

COPYRIGHT & USE OF IMAGES

The grant recipient retains all copyright and ownership of images submitted and resulting from the project. By accepting the grant, the award winner agrees to allow Leica Society International to feature the final project on its website and quarterly journal, online, or otherwise to promote LHSA, the project, and the grant.