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Journalism & Media Grant is sponsored by John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
The Journalism & Media Grant aims to promote inclusive narratives and accurate media that engage communities in democratic processes. It supports U.S.-based nonprofit organizations focused on professional reporting, multimedia storytelling, and civic media. The grant addresses barriers to media participation and fosters innovation in journalism, providing essential infrastructure for a diverse media landscape.
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Journalism & Media Grant Guidelines - MacArthur Foundation Login into your grantee account, reset your password, or submit an idea to the MacArthur Foundation.
Journalism & Media Grant Guidelines The Journalism and Media program seeks to promote and amplify just and inclusive news and narratives, based on the belief that accurate and compelling media plays an important role in informing, engaging, and activating individuals and groups to take part in democratic practices and processes.
To build and strengthen organizations creating and disseminating just, accurate, and inclusive news and narratives, the program supports work in three areas: Professional Nonprofit Reporting Nonfiction Multimedia Storytelling Participatory Civic Media In each of the three areas, the program pursues the following objectives: Build strong, independent, and sustainable organizations and networks that anchor a resilient and independent media ecosystem designed to meet the needs of a democratic society.
Address barriers that limit the creation of, access to, or participation in media activities, including the legal, safety, digital security, and technological challenges facing organizations and individuals. Promote learning, leadership, innovation, and field-building opportunities that explore timely and emerging issues related to production, dissemination, and engagement with journalism and media.
Our Journalism and Media program supports national and international nonprofit institutions with broad reach and influence. Professional Nonprofit Reporting We fund the following types of organizations: National and international nonprofit journalism organizations that pursue explanatory, investigative, and/or international reporting.
National and international organizations that work to protect press freedom and address the safety and security challenges facing journalists. Organizations and activities that support the infrastructure for and contribute to learning and innovation in the field of nonprofit journalism.
Nonfiction Multimedia Storytelling We fund the following types of organizations: National and regional organizations that fund, produce, and/or disseminate artfully crafted nonfiction storytelling projects on contemporary social issues for broadcast, web, and mobile.
National and regional organizations that provide grants, fellowships, training, mentoring, and support to increase the talent pipeline for the field of nonfiction multimedia storytelling. Organizations and activities that support the infrastructure for the nonfiction multimedia sector and contribute to learning and innovation in the field of nonfiction multimedia storytelling.
Participatory Civic Media We fund the following types of organizations: National organizations that mobilize and support grassroots communities to use civic media and narrative change strategies to express and organize themselves for social change. National organizations that provide civic media-related training and leadership development opportunities to build civic power in grassroots communities.
Organizations and activities that support the infrastructure for and contribute to learning and innovation in the field of civic media. The Journalism and Media Program continues our deep legacy of supporting thought-provoking social issue documentary films through support of national and regional organizations that serve emerging to experienced nonfiction multimedia storytellers.
This reflects our understanding of the important role of organizations and institutions for the independent documentary ecosystem. These organizations support documentary films, filmmakers, and nonfiction media producers through open calls, fellowships, labs, and networks. This is in place of MacArthur’s previous support directly to film projects.
From the 1980s through 2016, the Journalism and Media program funded more than 300 documentary projects with direct grants: a cumulative investment of $50 million. View a list of documentary film projects supported by MacArthur.
American Documentary Inc.,/POV Asian American Documentary Network (A-Doc) Center for Asian American Media Independent Television Service (ITVS) International Documentary Association Southern Documentary Fund Undocumented Filmmakers Collective MacArthur also supports documentary film support organizations around the United States and U.S. Territories through Color Congress . We are not accepting unsolicited proposals at this time.
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Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: U.S.-based nonprofit organizations focused on professional reporting, multimedia storytelling, and civic media. National and international nonprofit journalism organizations that pursue explanatory, investigative, and/or international reporting. Organizations that work to protect press freedom and address challenges facing journalists, and those supporting infrastructure, learning, and innovation in nonprofit journalism. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Not specified, varies. Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
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Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
Indigenous Autonomy Impact Investments is an impact investing program from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation that deploys catalytic capital to financial intermediaries building the economic power and cultural independence of Indigenous people. MacArthur uses loans, equity, guarantees, and other financial instruments to fill gaps where conventional investors will not participate, targeting enterprises and funds that pioneer new products, build market infrastructure, and serve overlooked communities. The Foundation manages $500 million in active impact investments and makes approximately $5 million annually in related grants. Eligible applicants are financial intermediaries advancing Indigenous economic sovereignty.
The MacArthur Foundation has launched AI Opportunity as a new Big Bet Program focused on expanding who creates, uses, and benefits from artificial intelligence, with emphasis on the intersection of AI, the economy, and the workforce. The program centers on young people in Chicago, community-centered AI development, and nonprofit applications of AI. MacArthur has already awarded $10 million in initial aligned grantmaking to organizations including the AI Now Institute ($2M), Brookings Institution ($2M), London School of Economics ($2M), New America ($1M), Pulitzer Center ($1M), Washington Center for Equitable Growth ($1M), Data and Society ($500K), and Human Rights Data Analysis Group ($500K). The foundation is actively hiring an AI Opportunity Director and building program staff. While not currently accepting unsolicited proposals, interested organizations can submit ideas through a web form on the MacArthur website.