Investing in the Next Generation of Black Storytellers
Our Mission
The Rance Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access, opportunity, and professional pathways for emerging Black creatives by supporting education, mentorship, and workforce development in film, media, and storytelling.
Who We Are
Founded by Floyd A.B. Rance III and Stephanie Tavares-Rance, the Rance Family Foundation is a nonprofit philanthropic organization recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Foundation is grounded in a simple belief: talent is universal, but opportunity is not. By investing at critical moments in education and early career development, the Foundation helps ensure that promising creatives can fully pursue their ambitions—regardless of economic circumstance.
All contributions to the Rance Family Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Our Focus
The Foundation’s work sits at the intersection of:
- Film and media education
- Workforce and pipeline development
- Mentorship and professional exposure
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion in storytelling
Our approach emphasizes long-term, measurable impact, supporting both individual students and the broader ecosystem that connects education to industry.
Strategic Partnerships
The Rance Family Foundation works in close partnership with:
- Howard University’s Cathy Hughes School of Communications
- The Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF)
Together, these institutions form a powerful pipeline connecting academic training with real-world exposure, mentorship, and career opportunity.
Signature Initiatives
The Rance Fellowship in Film & Media
In partnership with Howard University – Cathy Hughes School of Communications
The Rance Fellowship in Film & Media supports an exceptional undergraduate or graduate student pursuing film, media production, journalism, or visual storytelling.
Each year, one student is designated as “The Rance Film & Media Fellow.”
Fellowship support includes:
- Tuition assistance
- Funding for student film projects and capstone work
- Travel support for festivals, labs, and workshops
- Mentorship and career guidance
- Priority access to MVAAFF, including on-site attendance, networking, and industry exposure
The Rance Internship Access Fund
In partnership with Howard University – Cathy Hughes School of Communications
The Rance Internship Access Fund provides stipends to students who secure unpaid or underpaid internships across film, media, journalism, public relations, and entertainment.
The Fund supports:
- Housing and cost-of-living expenses
- Transportation
- Food and basic necessities
- Other essential expenses tied to unpaid or underpaid internships
The Fund may support multiple students each year and expands Howard University’s presence across studios, festivals, agencies, and media organizations, including MVAAFF partner institutions.
A Pipeline from Education to Industry
Howard University
Education • Creative Development • Training
MVAAFF
Exposure • Mentorship • Networking • Industry Access
The Industry
Internships • Jobs • Long-Term Careers
Together, these programs cultivate the next generation of Black filmmakers, producers, journalists, and content creators while strengthening diversity across the global media landscape.
Governance & Accountability
The Rance Family Foundation is governed by its founders and guided by advisors across film, media, education, and philanthropy. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Foundation funds are used exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and are deployed through structured scholarship support, internship stipends, mentorship programming, and professional development opportunities administered in partnership with accredited institutions and nonprofit organizations.
Impact is measured through student participation, academic progress, internship placement, festival exposure, and early career outcomes, with ongoing reporting shared with partners and supporters.
Partner With Us
The Rance Family Foundation welcomes partnerships with corporate sponsors, studios, media companies, foundations, and philanthropic leaders committed to expanding access and building a more inclusive future for storytelling.