LensOne Visual Journalism Fund
Thousands of stories deserve to be seen, yet many are never made because the photographer cannot afford to reach them.
Our mission
In many places, professional photographers live close to the story but cannot afford to reach it: travel, time, connectivity and safety. The fund covers that cost, the agency guides, prepares and distributes, and part of each story's revenue returns to fund the next one.
Our values
We fund what keeps a story from being told: travel, transport and the time good work needs.
No story is worth risking the person telling it. Basic safety needs are a line in every budget.
Donors may suggest a subject; only the desk decides the angle and what is published, and funding is disclosed on every picture.
Editors and professional photographers work with the photographer from idea to publication.
Published eligibility rules for everyone, and the photographer's name always on their pictures.
Today's story helps make tomorrow's: part of every story's revenue returns to the fund.
How we work
The desk tracks what deserves to be told.
From eligible photographers close to the place and subject.
In the field, with editorial guidance and a clear budget.
Captions and translation in three languages, verification and rights.
Distribution and licensing, and a report to the donor on where the story went.
Adopt a story
Amounts are initial examples, set by country and the nature of the assignment.
The start of a short story or a specific field assignment.
A complete news story, from access to production.
A deeper project with several production stages.
A series of stories from one region or subject.
A dedicated fund for a group of photographers over a set period.
We are not asking you to fund a tech platform, but access to a story — and then we show you the story you helped make.