GroundSpark: Creating Films to Encourage Meaningful Action

GroundSpark, a non-profit organization, is on a mission to create visionary films as well as dynamic educational programs designed to move individuals and their communities to take meaningful action toward a more just society. By doing so, it seeks to create a spark from the ground up, so to speak, so that the world can be a better place.

The advocacy organization specializes in the creation of strategic documentary films about a wide range of topics as well as in distribution campaigns. While its goals for these projects, which touch on social, environmental justice, and economic topics, are ambitious, its dedicated men and women have been successful so far especially when in partnerships with other stakeholders, such as GLSEN.

Indeed, GroundSpark works with several public interest organizations, movement advocates, and advocacy groups in:

• Envisioning the political, cultural and structural changes that should happen in society;
• Identifying the stories and their messages that can encourage audiences to become more actively involved;
• Assessing the best format, style and length of the films and educational programs that can promote the organization’s goals;
• Collaborating in the creation of top-notch films; and
• Designing an outreach and audience engagement strategy designed to maximize the power of film as a catalyst for change

GroundSpark has achieved several of its program objectives. These include providing assistance in stopping a multinational corporation in its plans to manufacture triggers for neutron bombs; in catalyzing a national movement for the establishment of community land trusts; and in supporting gay men and women in redefining the term “family”.

GroundSpark is best known for its landmark program - The Respect For All Project – that focuses on the creation of safer schools and communities for all young people. The initiative helps young people and adults understand the diversity of family structures, change school cultures, and open up constructive dialogues regarding gender norms as well as create school curriculum inclusive of the LGBT community and their issues.