A Proud Member of the
The Shawna Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Arts Non-Profit named after Shawna Shea who passed away at the age of 16. At this very tender age, and even before that, she gravitated to those who lived in the margins of life. We continue this work in her memory: honoring creativity and independence and giving people a chance.
Our Mission
The mission of the Shawna Foundation is to equitably promote and support students through scholarship and showcase artists in filmmaking, performance arts, poetry and other creative endeavors with a focus on underrepresented communities.
The Foundation's programs include Local Scholarships, A Women in Film Fellowship, Fiscal Sponsorship, The Library Poetry Tour, and more.
We believe the arts and education are essential to creating a vibrant, healthy community and world.
Skip Shea - Executive Director
A Message from our Executive Director
Board of Directors
Anna Chinappi - President
Erin Shea Porter - Vice-President
Andrew Chinappi - Director
Jason Porter - Director
Greg Bertonazzi - Director
Demetri Kasperson - Director
Film Festival Team
Skip Shea (Executive Director), Anna Chinappi (Board President), Patrick Bracken (Programmer)
Shahin Prentice - Photographer
Shahin of Prentice Visual Media doesn’t just take pictures - he finds the soul of a moment—the strange, the beautiful energy that only exists in places where indie filmmakers, dreamers, and artists collide.
Programs
In 2000, family friends Jane Mitchell and Jill Vahey established a scholarship for Uxbridge High School graduating seniors. Since then, the Shawna E. Shea Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to high school graduates in Uxbridge and Worcester who embody Shawna's strength, creativity, and spirit. Sadly, we now offer two more scholarships: the Michael Liberty Memorial Scholarship for Shawna's cousin and the Alana Phoneix Memorial Scholarship for Shawna's sister.
The mission of the Shawna Foundation has evolved and changed a little since the inception as a scholarship fund. We have grown and evolved into a tax-exempt non-profit foundation with several programs that give opportunities to those who don't readily get them. We think this is what Shawna would do.
Scholarships
Since 2001, the Shawna E. Shea Memorial Foundation Inc. proudly awards annual scholarships to high school graduates in Uxbridge and Worcester who embody Shawna's strength, creativity, and spirit.
Women in Film Fellowship
Since 2015, we have supported first-time female filmmakers in the spirit of creativity, independence, and artistry. The Women in Film Fellowship comes with a monetary award and year-long mentorship.
Fiscal Sponsorship
If you are an artist, filmmaker, writer, or cultural organizer with a powerful project but no nonprofit status, we can provide the nonprofit umbrella so you can accept tax-deductible donations and apply for grants.
Get Involved
No contribution is too small, and we NEVER take for granted that you choose the Shawna Foundation to spend your hard-earned dollars on the mission of our arts and education nonprofit. With your support, we can continue opening doors for women filmmakers, artists, and creatives and ensure that Shawna’s legacy shines on.
Become an Underwriter
We are a tax-exempt nonprofit arts and culture foundation with programs that give opportunities to those who don't readily get them.
Film Festival Sponsorship
We offer affordable sponsorship opportunities for any or all of our film festivals. Get the name of your company on the big screen!
Patreon
All of our live program events now have a Patreon component for subscribers. For a $10.00 monthly fee you will have access to this and more.
Supporting the Shawna Foundation is supporting the arts and the people who create it.
SHE RODE HER OWN WAVE
inviting any and all on,
but never drifting off on others.
Our Numbers
15
first-time female filmmakers completed their first short film with our Fellowship
$18,500
total amount of funds provided to Women in Film Fellows to complete their first short film
60
scholarships awarded to graduating high school students in Uxbridge and Worcester
$45,000
total amount of scholarship awards since 2001
3,500
films from 52 different countries have been submitted to our film festivals
A Proud Member of the
