Thanks to our generous contributors and the goodwill and expertise of the professionals on our Boards, the DPPF has made a difference in the lives of many talented emerging photographers! 2023 saw strengthening of existing programs and establishment of new initiatives.
Last spring, 311 candidates from 49 countries applied for DPPF grants and mentorships. We chose seven photographers to receive a total of $35,000 in grants. During his career, Doug supported and mentored fellow photographers, and the Fund is proud to honor his legacy by supporting these talented photographers at the beginning of their professional journeys.
Mentorships Are Key
Three photographers just concluded year-long mentorships that had a dramatic impact on their early-stage careers. (Pictured: 2022 Grantee and Mentorship Recipient Jeff Dean at the U.S. Open with mentor Jen Pottheiser and 2020 Grantee Dustin Satloff) New mentorships kicked off in October, pairing three 2023 grantees with mentors Ariele Goldman Hecht, Christian Petersen, and Marcio Sanchez.
New Programs Support Existing Grantees
Our webinar series kicked off this fall, as four members of the DPPF Advisory Board held a panel discussion about freelance careers. New offerings will be available quarterly – in January 2024, Bedel Saget of The New York Times will discuss the growing importance of multimedia in the industry.
We also launched a new program supporting former grantees. Our Alumni Grants give previous recipients an opportunity to apply for financial support for projects and/or training. The first round is underway right now!
Development Grants
While reviewing the portfolios in our annual open call, our judges have noted the number of photographers who are working in environments where they have little access to quality training or equipment. This year, the DPPF Development Grants program was created to support sports photographers of great potential whose portfolio quality appears to be hampered by severe economic and/or geographic/cultural limitations.
Join the DPPF Family
The DPPF remains committed to removing financial barriers to all of our programs, making all elements cost-free to all participants. To date, the Doug Pensinger Photography Fund has provided a total of $132,000 in career assistance grants to 31 talented emerging photographers.
2024 will mark our fifth annual grants cycle and the second DPPF Sports Photography Gathering, during which our grantees spend an impactful weekend with the professionals on our Advisory Board.
If you or someone you know would like to support the ongoing health and vitality of the DPPF through a tax-deductible contribution, our secure donation portal is here!
Sincerely,
DPPF Board of Directors
Bettyann Heppler
Devan Pensinger
Kim Pensinger Witman
Ezra Shaw
Maureen Cavanagh