Stone Soup Films tells the real-life stories behind local nonprofits that transform the lives of individuals in need, because crafting meaningful messages empowers organizations to be better champions of their causes – and amplifies their impact. Twice per year Stone Soup selects new partners with limited budgets; then staff and volunteers work with each organization to develop a clear communications strategy. This culminates in a five- to seven-minute film that showcases stories of transformation – effectively and powerfully communicating the heart of each nonprofit’s work. For two weekends a year, the Doc-In-A-Day Challenge offers healthy competition (and a $1,000 prize) for nonprofit filmmaking on the fly, producing two- to three-minute films for the greater good. The market value of this work? Up to $40,000. The financial cost to nonprofits? Zero. A gift to Stone Soup Films is really a contribution to DC’s nonprofits and, most importantly, the people they serve.
Headquarters: DC-Ward 2
Where They Operate: DC-Citywide
Population(s) Served: All
- Total in-kind value contributed last fiscal year:
$602,522 - Total active volunteers last fiscal year:
131 - Total films produced last fiscal year:
24 - Total nonprofits served to date:
100
Awards & Recognition
Awards:
2016 31st Annual Mayor's Arts Award
Excellence in the Creative Industries
September 2016
2014 Best Over All
TechSoup 2014 Storymakers Contest
October 22, 2014
Hope House Kids Award
Founder and Executive Director, Liz Norton
November 20, 2013
Filmmaker of the Month, Founder and Executive Director, Liz Norton
D.C. Office of Motion Picture & TV Development
February 2013
Citations:
"TechSoup Names Winners of Its Annual Storymakers Contest"
Chronicle For Philanthropy
October 22, 2014
"Q&A: Liz Norton, Stone Soup Films"
Elevation DC
June 11, 2013
"Stone Soup stirs film talent with nonprofits in need"
Capital Business: Washington Post Article
January 20, 2013
"Making Soup with Stones: Filmmaking for a Cause"
November 16, 2011
"Good Hope Awards Great Unveiling- Part II"
Beyond Bread - Bread for the City Blog
September 17, 2008
Press
- DOEE & National Geographic Society to Present 'The Birds & the Bees'
Wed Apr 6 2016, DC Department of Energy & Environment
Free environmental film event brings global issues into focus for Earth Day featuring our film "The Anacostia River: Making Connections."
- TechSoup Names Winners of Its Annual Storymakers Contest
Wed Oct 22 2014, Chronicle for Philanthropy
- The Quiet Revolution in D.C. Schools
Thu May 1 2014, Education Week
Is it possible that Washington, D.C. is becoming a leading national laboratory for our collective efforts to reimagine public education?
- Stone Soup Films Joins Taproot in Pro Bono Week 2013 Campaign
Fri Sep 27 2013, http://3blmedia.com/
Stone Soup Films, a Washington DC nonprofit film cooperative, announces its participation in Pro Bono Week from October 20-26, 2013.
- Elevation Q&A: Liz Norton, Stone Soup Films
Tue Jun 11 2013, Elevation DC
There are countless nonprofits in Washington with amazing stories to tell about their work.
Budget (FY2016)
- $3 million or higher
- $1 million to $3 million
- The current budget for Stone Soup Films is: $500k to $1 million
- Less than $500k
Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to
About the Catalogue for Philanthropy
Each year 120 expert reviewers evaluate applicants for distinction, merit, and impact. Each featured charity has been successfully site visited and its financials given the thumbs up. The Catalogue for Philanthropy charges no fees and raises funds separately to support its work. Since 2003, it has raised over $40 million for charities across the Greater Washington region.
The Catalogue for Philanthropy looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to the Catalogue to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!