Media Impact Funders—formerly Grantmakers in Film, Video & Television—began on a volunteer basis in 1984 as an affinity group for funders interested in the power of film to highlight social issues.

Media Impact Funders traces its roots back to the Council on Foundations, a longtime philanthropy-serving organization.

In 1990, just as the word “Internet” was being introduced for the first time, an affinity group for funders interested in the power of film to highlight social issues of importance to funders was gaining momentum.

Grantmakers in Film, Video & Television began on a volunteer basis in 1984; reflecting changes in technology and media behavior over the past decade, it was renamed Grantmakers in Film & Electronic Media (GFEM) and formally incorporated in 2008 to advance the field of media arts and public interest media funding. It had 45 members and was headed by former MacArthur Foundation Program Officer Alyce Myatt.

GFEM was renamed Media Impact Funders in 2012 and has since expanded its strategy to include a broad range media funding interests such as journalism, immersive technologies, media policy and more. Since that time, MIF has grown to more than 80 organizational members representing some of the largest foundations, and holds more than 40 in-person and online events yearly.