The Power of Human Stories
The Raymond J. Christensen Foundation exists to enrich communities and culture through the documentary stories of independent filmmakers.
In order to support emerging visionaries on their journey to tell powerful stories, our approach provides grants to artists from underrepresented communities who seek to create new paradigms through the power of visual storytelling. Our grants offer the opportunity to explore, evolve, and develop stories that provide new perspectives, educate, and connect with audiences on a deeper level. Ray’s passion for projects that embrace collaboration, community engagement, and learning is instilled into our values and grantmaking process.
About Ray
A Growing Legacy to Pay it Forward
Raymond J. Christensen was a documentary filmmaker based out of Minnesota who believed in the power of human stories. In the words of his peers, Ray’s films had a way of inspiring people to see the usual in unexpected and unusual ways. We wish to honor his legacy and amplify the voices of independent documentary filmmakers who share stories which inspire, spark curiosity, and lead us to envision new paradigms.
Ray’s legacy is summed up in a belief he shared throughout his life, and it’s this mindset and drive we strive to perpetuate in the filmmakers we encourage and support with our grants:
“Always be curious. Never lose your sense of wonder. “
Our Approach
We are centered on equity, diversity and inclusion.
We believe that diversity and equity in filmmaking is best manifested in representation and driven by inclusion. By choosing to support projects that amplify the voices of underrepresented communities, we aim to ensure that all voices are heard regardless of the production challenges they may face. Our grantmaking and selection process involves careful study and reevaluation of how our mission relates to a filmmaker’s vision and the stories they wish to tell. It’s about learning and creating a space where diverse narratives reflect the complexity of the human experience.
Our Panel
Meet the people behind the panel
In order to uncover the most powerful stories, our approach for reviewing grant applications includes local filmmakers and industry professionals from various backgrounds.
In an effort to foster more community engagement, we encourage former grant recipients to be a part of the grantmaking process to ensure diversity and culture is represented. As an artist who has gone through this process, our organizational values and what we’re looking for in a meaningful project are inherently aligned. From the community, for the community.
Sarah Devens
Executive Director
Sarah Devens is a producer, business owner, and Board Member for the Raymond J. Christensen Foundation. Her career spans producing campaigns for global icons like Prince and Alicia Keys, negotiating multi-million dollar corporate investments, storytelling lead for a top purpose-driven financial firm and patent holder. As Executive Director of the RJC Foundation, she provides critical structural support and grants to independent filmmakers. Sarah is currently producing a paradigm-shifting documentary on the Minneapolis community’s radical solidarity in defense of their neighbors during ICE activity. She believes that while professional rigor is the foundation, the most moving stories are those that bridge the distance between strangers and leave the viewer’s perspective permanently transformed.
Andrea Quick
Chief Financial Officer
Andrea, CPA, serves as the Chief Financial Officer and a Board Member for the Raymond J. Christensen Foundation, where she provides strategic financial oversight and long-term planning. As the founder and principal of Quick CPA & Consulting in Lakeville, she brings over 20 years of experience in small business advocacy, tax compliance, and fractional CFO services. A 2004 graduate of Hamline University. Her professional background is defined by a commitment to organizational integrity and building robust accounting infrastructures. At the foundation, she leverages this expertise to ensure fiscal sustainability and support its mission of high-impact community giving.
Jean Grossman
Head of Donor Relations
Jean serves as the Head of Donor Relations and a Board Member for the Raymond J. Christensen Foundation, where she plays a central role in managing the grant application and evaluation processes. Drawing on her deep connection to the foundation’s legacy as a family member of Raymond J. Christensen, she oversees financial giving strategies and engagement in strategic planning and partnerships to advance the foundation’s mission through local initiatives. Jean is dedicated to supporting impactful, community-driven storytelling through rigorous project review. By bridging the foundation’s history with its future goals, she ensures its philanthropic efforts remain both focused and sustainable.
Our Grants
Do you have a story to tell?
By awarding grants to support the filmmaking process, we help emerging artists based in Minnesota share their stories and promote new human paradigms. From post production to distribution – we believe a filmmaker should be afforded every opportunity to explore, evolve, and develop their work. If you’re an independent writer, director, or producer working on your first or second documentary – then we want to hear from you!
