SFM Foundation video contest
Submit a video and win a prize!
We invite SFM Foundation scholarship recipients to participate in our 2025 video contest.
It’s an opportunity for you to tell your story, explain how your SFM Foundation scholarship positively impacted you and your family, and thank those who made your scholarship possible. Win a prize just for entering!
Pay it forward by helping us spread the word about how important it is to support the SFM Foundation.
How to enter
1. Create a 1-2 minute video that includes the following:
- Your story
- Your current (or past) college name and major
- How your scholarship has helped you and your family
Please note: If you previously submitted a video entry, you are not eligible for this year’s contest.
2. Make sure your video is usable and shareable
Follow these guidelines to make sure your video is good quality and can be easily shared. You can also check out previous winning videos below as examples.
3. Upload your video by Friday, Oct. 17, 2025
Send us your .mp4 or .mov video by uploading it to ShareFile here.
4. Sign a release form
You worked hard on your video, and we want to be able to share it with our generous supporters.
The prizes
1st Place: $500 gift card
2nd Place: $250 gift card
What if you don’t win? Receive a $100 gift card for submitting a usable video.
Submission deadline
The submission deadline is Friday, Oct. 17, 2025.
- Be creative in telling your story. Explain the impact our scholarship truly made on you and your family.
- Record in landscape mode (turn the camera on its side). Vertical (portrait) videos don’t play well on devices other than phones.
- Use the rear camera if you’re shooting on your phone. It has better quality and higher resolution.
- Keep your camera stable and focused. Consider using a tripod for best results.
- Avoid zooming. It reduces the quality of the video.
- Record in a well-lit area. Dark videos look grainy and are difficult to brighten.
- Reduce or eliminate background noise so you have good audio (sound). Outdoor settings can be great for lighting, but difficult for noise.
- Save videos in the correct file format. Make sure your video is saved in an .mp4 or .mov format.
- View additional tips for creating great looking home videos.
Questions and social media
If you have any questions or need help uploading your video, please use our contact form to email us.
Follow us on Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. You may just see your video featured on our page!
Kadence’s story
Kadence Parizek took first place in our fifth annual student video contest in 2024.
She is a 2024 SFM Foundation scholarship recipient and is studying criminal justice at Kirkwood Community College.
Kadence’s mother was injured in a workplace explosion in 2022, leaving her unable to work. Hear Kadence’s story and what her SFM Foundation scholarship means to her.
Peityn’s story
Peityn Heeren took first place in our fourth annual student video contest in 2023.
She is a 2019 SFM Foundation scholarship recipient and is studying nursing at Arizona College of Nursing.
Peityn lost her father in a workplace accident in 2017. Hear her story and how her SFM Foundation scholarship has helped her pursue her dreams after losing her biggest cheerleader.
Chance’s story
Chance Adam took first place in our third annual student video contest in 2022.
He is a 2022 SFM Foundation scholarship recipient and is studying elementary education at Upper Iowa University.
Chance’s father passed away in 2015 following a brain injury he sustained from a fall at work. Hear Chance’s story and what his SFM Foundation scholarship means to him.
Erin’s story
Erin Jackson took first place in our second annual student video contest in 2021.
She is a 2019 SFM Foundation scholarship recipient and is studying global resource systems and environmental studies at Iowa State University.
In 2017, while in her junior year of high school, Erin’s father was in a car accident while working and suffered a traumatic brain injury that prevents him from being able to return to work. This has impacted Erin and her family tremendously. Hear her story and what her SFM Foundation scholarship means to her.
Tatyana’s story
Tatyana Soloviyov took first place in our first-ever video contest in 2020.
She is a 2017 SFM Foundation scholarship recipient and is currently a senior at Minnesota State University, Mankato majoring in communication sciences and disorders and minoring in child development and family studies.
Tatyana’s father passed away in 2012 due to a workplace accident. Hear her story and what her SFM Foundation scholarship means to her.