Our Mission
What We Do
Overview Products & Services Service Enterprise Corporate Solutions Recognition Service Fellows Research & Insights Volunteer Toolkits Benchmarking Studies Convenings & Awareness Listen Learn Act to End Racism Points of Light Conference Days of Service
Who We Serve
Overview Nonprofits/NGOs Our Global Network Service Enterprise Nonprofit/NGO Resources Corporate Partners Corporate Solutions Corporate Service Council The Civic 50 Awards Corporate Resources Social Impact Playbook Individuals Find Volunteer Opportunities Youth & Family Volunteering Daily Point of Light
Get Involved
Overview Find a Volunteer Opportunity or Start a Project Build or Grow Your Employee Volunteer Program Make a Donation to Support Our Work Upcoming Events Global Summit on Social Impact, Feb. 7 Learn More Global Volunteer Month, April 2024 Learn More
Resources
All Resources
By Type Reports Toolkits
By Topic For Nonprofits/NGOs For Businesses
Shop Donate

Resource

Screen a Documentary

Civic Circle® Area: Listen and Learn, Voice

The impact of COVID-19 continues to change our daily lives and routines, but volunteering and civic engagement are just as important as ever. This project can be modified to adhere to social distancing guidelines set by local and national authorities, to do virtually or to do at home and deliver via mail or drop off.

Often, people make donations to relief organizations without knowing the real causes and effects of the issue at hand. Host a documentary film screening about an issue you care about, such as education. Encourage attendees to make a donation related to the cause, such as a children’s book.

What You Need:

  • Classroom or community center with access to video equipment
  • Documentary film
  • Cardboard boxes to collect donations
  • Materials to advertise event

Steps:

  1. Ask a principal, teacher, or local community center for permission to hold your screening. Make sure you explain that you will need access to a television or projector to show the film.
  • As a virtual option, you can host a “watch party” on a streaming service like Amazon Prime or Netflix to view the documentary together.
  1. Pick a documentary that addresses an issue you care about in some way.
  2. Advertise the event! Post an “admission fee” of one children’s book for attendees (or another donation related to the cause).
  3. Before the screening starts, set out boxes to collect donations.
  4. After the screening, have a discussion about the documentary.
  5. Bring a list of ways the attendees can take action if they’re inspired to volunteer after the documentary.

Optional: Plan and recruit a panel of inspiring, well-rounded experts to bring insights, stories and perspectives on the issue your documentary addresses.

Reflection Questions:

  • Did you consider hunger to be important before this project? How did your project address the issue?
  • What kind of influence did your project have on the group who came to watch the documentary?
  • What are other ways you can address the issue?
Download The DIY Project PDF