2026 Animation Co-op Grant
by:
Designed to empower independent creators & inspire inclusive storytelling
Applications are now closed.
About the Grant:
The 2026 Animation Co-op Grant by BRIC Foundation and Legends Animated will provide $10,000 in funding to support the formation of an animation creator cooperative comprised of three or more individuals passionate about telling inclusive stories together.
As the industry continues to evolve, BRIC and Legends Animated believe in creators joining forces to build sustainable, equitable businesses centered on their values and vision. Following insightful conversations at the BRIC Summit about what it means to be a creator today, we’re supporting the growing worker cooperative movement to put creators first, foster collaboration, and inspire inclusive storytelling.
Ready to apply?View the application details below and apply by June 7th.
To learn more about worker cooperatives, including strategies indie creators can use to activate their communities and get started on forming their own worker co-ops, check out the resources below.
Congratulations to 2025 Animation Co-op Grant Recipient Lemoncheeks Animation Cooperative!
About the Co-op: Lemoncheeks Animation Cooperative is a worker cooperative, with a mission to tell original stories through animation. We believe animation can be a powerful way to amplify voices. As a cooperative rooted in bicultural perspectives, we want to create work that reflects and honors the richness of our communities and experiences.
Lemoncheeks Animation Co-op’s first animated short film – which explores the tender complexities of bicultural identity and love between parent and child – is currently in production.
To connect with their team and follow their work, visit lemoncheeksanimation.com and follow them on Instagram @lemoncheeks_animation.
Want to learn more about the Lemoncheeks team and how they built their co-op? Check out their webinar from the 2026 BRIC Summit.
Get Started: Worker Co-op Resources
Application Details:
Funding:
Award is a one-time payment of $10,000 (in two installments of $5,000).
I. Eligibility Criteria
This $10K grant supports the formation of an animation creator co-op company made up of 3 or more individuals that are wanting to tell inclusive animated stories.
All individuals of the co-op must be over the age of 18.
At least 50% of all co-op members (or at least 2 out of 3 total members) must be California residents and authorized to work in the United States. The Co-op must agree to register/incorporate in the state of California upon award acceptance, though registration is not required at the time of application submission.
Co-ops should ideally adopt the United States Federation of Worker Cooperatives’ (USFWC) requirements of what constitutes a Worker Co-op Start-up. Co-ops are encouraged to register with the USFWC as a Worker Co-op Start-up Member if they have not already done so. Please note that grant recipients are expected to become USFWC Worker Co-op Start-up Members before receiving the second grant installment.
For more information about how to get started with forming and incorporating your animation worker co-op, check out the Creative Worker Co-op Toolkit from our friends at Legends Animated, SELC, USFWC, and LA Coop Lab.
Interested organizations are invited to submit their proposals, addressing the following points:
Organization Overview: Provide a brief overview of your organization/proposed organization, including its mission, experience, and qualifications within the animation industry.
Member Qualifications: Provide information about the co-op owners and key personnel who will be involved in creating the animated project. Include their resume and/or portfolio, qualifications, relevant experience, and expertise.
Content: Submit a one-pager that includes: logline, summary, character(s), mood board link, and themes of the project. This project must be animated and inclusive.
Budget: Submit a detailed budget that outlines the costs associated with creating and running the co-op, along with a budget number for the proposed project and if you have access to any additional funding and resources.
II. Proposal Submission
III. Submission Guidelines
Proposals should be submitted electronically in a single PDF to programs@bricfoundation.org.
The deadline for submission is June 7, 2026 at 11:59pm (PST). Late proposals will not be considered.
IV. Evaluation Criteria
Must be a California-based organization. Proposals will be evaluated based on the following rubric criteria:
Alignment with BRIC Mission and Inclusion Emphasis
Demonstrated Experience and Qualifications. Additional consideration given to teams that include any BRIC alumni (e.g. BRIC Pre-Apprentices, Apprentices, and interns) or teams currently under Legends Animated’s Coop Development Program.
Cost-effectiveness and Budgetary Considerations
BRIC Foundation reserves the right to request additional information and conduct interviews as part of the evaluation process.
V. Grant Requirements:
By submitting for the Co-op Grant, the recipients of the Co-op Grant agrees to:
1.) Before the initial $5,000 is provided:
File articles of incorporation for the worker cooperative
LLCs and Cooperative Corporations are the most common entities for worker cooperatives in CA, but there are other business formations co-ops could use.
Obtain an EIN for the worker cooperative
Open a business bank account under the co-op's name and EIN
Once completed, the $5,000 would be deposited to the worker co-op's bank account
2.) Before the second $5,000 is provided:
Take a free worker co-op course from Collective REMAKE or another co-op developer
Click here for Collective REMAKE's in-person course. Click here to apply for their Co-op Education & Development Online Spring/Summer 2026 Introduction Workshops.
Become a Startup member at USFWC
Confidentiality Notice:
All submitted materials must be the original work of the team.
Owning the rights to any intellectual property related to your co-op is a requirement for participating in the competition.
BRIC Foundation honors the confidentiality of all participants' applications. Application details will not be released, without permission, for any purposes other than use in the competition. The Review Committee also recognizes the sensitivity of the materials being presented.
Co-Ops may wish to include the following optional disclaimer with their submissions, recognizing that it is not a legally binding agreement:
This application is confidential and is presented solely for the purpose of evaluation in the application. This application may not be reproduced or redistributed in whole or in part. By accepting a copy of this application, the recipient agrees not to reproduce or disclose the contents of this application to third parties without the prior written consent of its authors.
Some participants may ask that confidentiality agreements be secured from the committee or BRIC Foundation. While BRIC Foundation appreciates the concerns behind these requests, as a matter of convention and practicality, confidentiality agreements are not signed as part of the competition.
Generative A.I. Notice:
Generative A.I. and plagiarized work are not accepted.
This grant program issues funding to human creators, with a strict policy against accepting work created by Generative A.I. (like ChatGPT, MidJourney, FireFly, etc.) or plagiarized content. Any asset in a proposal found to be in violation of these guidelines will automatically disqualify the submission. If the grant has already been awarded, it will be rescinded.
Contact Information:
For inquiries and submission of proposals, please email programs@bricfoundation.org
We look forward to receiving your proposals and seeing more animation creator co-ops in the world!
2026 Animation Co-op Grant Supporters:
