Before you reach out

Project Eligibility

Last updated: October 23, 2026  ·  Not sure? Ask us

We offer free videography and photography for social-impact causes in Greater Montréal. Our crew and our time are limited, so these criteria help us decide which requests Collectif OttersTogether (OtterS) can take on. We look at two things: your organization and your project. Both need to qualify, and an eligible organization does not make every project eligible. If you are not sure where you land, write to us at otterscontact@gmail.com. We are always happy to talk it through.

Section 01

Who Can Apply

Your organization must fall into one of the following categories.

Registered charities. You hold a valid charitable registration number from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Foundations of public institutions. Hospitals, schools and universities qualify only through their registered foundation, for example the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation or the Fondation CHU Sainte-Justine.

Non-profit organizations (NPO / OBNL). You operate for a purpose other than profit and distribute no income to members, directors or owners. You are either incorporated as a non-profit (under Part III of the Quebec Companies Act or the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act) or an established community group with a social, community or charitable mission.

Student-led fundraisers. You qualify only if all of the following apply:

  • At least one student currently enrolled at a Montréal CEGEP or university is the named organizer and point of contact.
  • You are a school club, a student association, or a student-led organization not affiliated with a school.
  • The initiative directly raises funds for a registered charity or a clearly charitable cause.
  • The beneficiary is named publicly.
  • All net proceeds go to the beneficiary. "Net proceeds" means total funds raised minus documented event costs. Organizers may not keep any funds.
  • You can provide proof of where the funds will go.

Religious organizations. Eligible only if the project is neutral in its mission, promotion and positioning. No religious promotion and no worship.

  • Eligible: a food bank or shelter run by a religious organization and open to everyone.
  • Not eligible: a worship service, a religious ceremony or a faith-promotion campaign.
Section 02

What Your Project Needs

Every project must:

  • Take place in, or primarily serve, Greater Montréal.
  • Directly support the organization's mission or its own communications (website, campaigns, events, annual report).
  • Have social impact as its main goal.

Projects for an individual's personal use are not eligible, even if that person belongs to an eligible organization.

Section 03

What We Can't Accept

We do not accept the following projects, even from an eligible organization.

Political projects. Anything related to politics: politicians, candidates, political parties, elections, referendums, lobbying for or against a law or policy, or taking one side of a political or contested social issue.

Fundraising for one side of a war or conflict. Money, equipment or support for any government, military, armed group or movement involved in a conflict, or any campaign that promotes one side. The only exception is neutral humanitarian aid, described below.

For-profit businesses. This includes social enterprises, B Corps, corporate social responsibility campaigns, and promotions where a portion of sales goes to charity.

Personal fundraisers. Campaigns for an individual (for example, a personal GoFundMe), unless run through a registered charity.

Partial or unclear fundraising. Only part of the proceeds goes to the cause, or the beneficiary is not clearly named.

Projects with no social-impact purpose. Personal, social or recreational projects, such as pool parties or other social events with no fundraising purpose, LinkedIn or personal headshots, birthdays and weddings. Staff photos for an organization's own communications are eligible.

Projects that conflict with our values. Anything that promotes hate, discrimination or harm toward any group.

Section 04

Exception: Neutral Humanitarian Aid

We may accept a project that helps civilians affected by war only if all of the following apply:

  • The beneficiary is a recognized neutral humanitarian organization that helps people based on need alone, regardless of nationality, religion or political affiliation (for example, the Canadian Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders or UNICEF).
  • The campaign is neutral: its name, messaging, visuals and slogans take no side and assign no blame.
  • Funds go directly to that organization, with no political intermediary.

If the campaign takes a side, we decline it, even if the beneficiary is neutral.

Section 05

How We Review Requests

No guarantee. Meeting these criteria does not guarantee acceptance. We review every request and may decline any project.

Proof. We may ask for supporting documents, such as a CRA registration number, incorporation papers or proof of where funds will go.

Priority. Our resources are limited. When requests exceed our capacity, we prioritize:

  • Smaller organizations with limited budgets.
  • Projects with a clear, direct benefit to the community.
  • Organizations we have not worked with before.

Booking. Please submit your request well ahead of your event or shoot date.

Section 06

Sounds Like You?

If your project fits, we would love to hear about it. Every request helps a cause get seen and gives a young creative on our crew real work to be proud of.

Tell us about your project
Videography  ·  Photography  ·  Marketing

Still unsure? Email otterscontact@gmail.com and we will help you figure it out.