Posted on October 23, 2012

Media Impact Funders

Founded: 2006

Contact: Vincent Stehle, Executive Director

Address:
Media Impact Funders
c/o Grantmakers in Film + Electronic Media
200 West Washington Square, Suite 220
Philadelphia, PA 19106

Phone: (215) 574-1322
E-mail: info@gfem.org
URL: http://www.gfem.org/

Mission:
To increase the amount and effectiveness of media funding, boost the use of media in grantmakers' and grantees' work, and raise awareness of current media policies and trends as they affect funders' work in the grantmaking community.

About the Organization:
Formerly called Grantmakers in Film + Electronic Media, Media Impact Funders is an association of grantmakers committed to advancing the field of media arts and public interest media funding. The membership organization works to increase the amount and quality of data on trends in media funding and serves as a resource for grantmakers who fund media content, infrastructure, and policy as well as those who employ media to further their program goals.

Current Programs:
The organization's support for foundations and affinity groups includes a curation service that provides filmographies for use in support of grantmakers' program areas, one-on-one consultations to help develop and implement media grants and identify filmmakers who best represent granmakers' priorities, and workshops. The organization also co-sponsors the Council on Foundations' Film and Video Festival; offers screenings at the council's three national annual conferences; publishes case studies and research reports on trends in media funding; and provides support for the publication and dissemination of resources and tools produced by members.

Web Site:
The MIF site features a guided tour of its searchable database of media projects-in-progress. Grantseekers can submit a project to the database, and grantmakers and others can search for projects by type (content, infrastructure, or policy project), topic, location, population group, projected end use, and status. Visitors to the site also can browse articles about key issues in the media field, stories, member news, and other resources, and/or sign up for the organization's e-newsletter or check a calendar of upcoming events.

Funding:
Media Impact Funders is supported by a combination of membership dues from organizations interested in expanding the field and grant support from foundations.