Funding Conservation Through Film: A New Approach to Philanthropy

By Alan Lacy, Reel Earth Films

In a world facing urgent ecological crises, traditional conservation strategies—though vital—aren’t always enough. We need science, yes. We need policy and boots-on-the-ground work. But we also need something else: powerful stories that can galvanize action, bridge divides, and inspire people to care before it’s too late.

At Reel Earth Films, we believe that conservation films—when strategically deployed—can function as high-impact philanthropic tools. Our projects don’t end with the credits. Instead, they act as catalysts for community organizing, grassroots recovery efforts, targeted fundraising, and scalable policy impact. In this post, we’ll walk through our model, show how it’s already working in the field, and invite you to join us in using film as a force for change.

Why Film?

Film is uniquely positioned to shift hearts and minds. It reaches people emotionally before intellectually. It breaks down complex issues—climate change, species loss, environmental justice—and gives them faces, stories, and meaning. Unlike reports or white papers, a film can be rewatched, reshared, and repurposed to drive outcomes for years to come.

But not all films are designed with impact in mind. Too often, documentaries are treated as the end product—a creative work to screen, celebrate, and shelve. We reject that approach.

At Reel Earth Films, a documentary is step one. What follows is where the transformation happens.

The Reel Earth Model: Film + Strategy = Impact

We design every film project with a dual purpose:

  1. To tell unforgettable stories rooted in ecological truth and human resilience, and

  2. To launch a tailored impact campaign that drives real-world change.

This model is built on partnerships—between filmmakers, conservationists, community leaders, foundations, and forward-thinking donors. Every campaign is crafted to fit the story and the people who live it. Sometimes that means raising money for owl burrows. Sometimes it means coordinating cross-border collaboration. And sometimes it means influencing decision-makers by screening a film in the right room at the right time.

Case Study: Burrowing Owls – A Love Story

When we premiered Burrowing Owls: A Love Story, we knew we had something special. Shot entirely in the grasslands of eastern Oregon, the film follows the quiet lives of a single owl pair—and the larger story of habitat loss, human intervention, and fragile survival.

But we didn’t just want to inform. We wanted to help.

So, we turned the film into a catalyst.

  • Conservation Action: Over 30 artificial burrows have been installed in Oregon and Arizona by partner groups inspired or supported by the film’s impact strategy.

  • Fundraising Platform: A Washington, D.C. screening in spring 2025—attended by nonprofit leaders and philanthropists—raised funds and sparked early donor interest.

  • Upcoming Campaign: We’re now planning a Phoenix-based conservation screening with local wildlife organizations, featuring ambassador owls, a fundraising pitch, and collective planning for future recovery zones. Reel Earth Films is managing the impact fund and strategic direction.

This is how we work. A small film, thoughtfully deployed, can ripple outward to mobilize communities, attract donors, and lay the groundwork for long-term conservation gains.

A Donor’s Return on Story

What makes investing in film a smart move for philanthropists?

Conservation film offers a high leverage return. You’re not just funding awareness—you’re:

  • Creating new entry points for donor engagement and education

  • Providing powerful visuals and language for NGOs and advocates

  • Supporting storytelling that brings policy discussions to life

  • Expanding the base of support by reaching general audiences, not just activists

  • Generating lasting tools for foundations and conservation campaigns

When you fund a Reel Earth project, you’re investing in a vehicle that outlives the festival circuit. Our films are repurposed in classrooms, nonprofits, legislative hearings, and community gatherings. They become flexible assets for impact partners and movement builders alike.

Foundations Are Taking Notice

This approach is already earning the trust of established institutions.

  • Arizona Community Foundation has provided significant funding to support the development of a new wildlife series we’re creating in partnership with PBS Arizona. ACF has also helped us forge relationships with Indigenous communities and has advised on story structure to enhance long-term environmental and cultural benefit.

  • The Endangered Species Coalition recently commissioned Reel Earth Films to produce a short film focused on the recovery of gray wolves in Colorado. The collaboration reflects the value that national advocacy groups are placing on emotionally-driven, strategic storytelling.

  • Multiple nonprofits across Arizona and New Mexico are working closely with us on Diaspora, our upcoming film exploring the return of Mexican wolves to ancestral lands. These groups see the film as a shared tool to elevate public understanding, deepen community engagement, and strengthen the policy narrative around wildlife recovery in the Southwest.

In short, our films aren’t just being watched—they’re being used.

Why Now?

The stakes are high. Federal cuts threaten PBS budgets, including Arizona’s public broadcasting support. Climate instability continues to strain ecosystems across the Southwest. Community-based resilience efforts are too often underfunded or siloed.

But the opportunity is also unprecedented. We are witnessing a surge in climate philanthropy, youth-led organizing, Indigenous-led land stewardship, and new forms of storytelling technology. Donors who want to make a difference today can help build the narrative foundation of tomorrow.

Supporting Reel Earth Films is not just a gift to one project—it’s a way to influence public imagination, policy, and conservation funding for years to come.

Join Us

We’re currently fundraising across several tiers:

  • Development Support: to fund research, partnerships, and early-stage story architecture

  • Production & Fieldwork: to capture cinematic footage in wildlands across the Southwest and Mexico

  • Impact & Outreach: to design and launch campaigns, host screenings, and empower our community partners

  • General Support: to grow our capacity, maintain post-production pipelines, and reach wider audiences

Whether you’re a foundation leader, individual donor, or conservation group looking for a storytelling partner—we’d love to talk.

Together, we can fund conservation in a new way. Not just with dollars—but with stories that move people to act.

To learn more or support our work, reach out at info@reelearthfilms.org or explore our projects at www.reelearthfilms.org/impact

Thank you for being part of this journey.