In partnership with Candid (formerly Foundation Center and GuideStar)—which provides data-driven tools, educational resources and trainings, analyses, and more to the philanthropic sector—MIF offered a workshop to help funders learn how to use data maps to inform funding priorities and strategic decision-making. These maps are free, interactive tools that show the full scope of philanthropically-funded projects.

For this program, we focused on two specific maps with relevancy to funders of media and democracy:

  1. The media grants data map, hosted by Media Impact Funders
  2. The democracy grants data map, hosted by Candid

Attendees received a quick demo of the tools, highlighting specific features in each and heard some stories of success from grantmakers who have used these data tools to help identify investment gaps. Moderated by Mary Steyer, Director of Communication at Candid, we heard from:

About Foundation Maps for Media Funding
Foundation Maps for Media Funding is a data mapping platform that brings the diverse and expansive field of media and philanthropy to light, allowing users to research and explore media and technology funding around the world. The tool captures activities related to media content and platforms; telecommunications infrastructure; media applications and tools; media access and policy; and journalism, news, and information that foundations across the globe have supported from 2009 to present. Specifically designed for funders, nonprofits and journalists, Foundation Maps for Media Funding enables users to see, understand and dig deep into the numbers, networks and trends surrounding media and philanthropy. Explore the map.

About Foundation Funding for U.S. Democracy
Foundation Funding for U.S. Democracy is a data visualization platform for funders, nonprofits, journalists, and anyone interested in understanding philanthropy’s role in supporting and improving U.S. democracy. The platform captures $13 billion in foundation grants made since 2011 that focus on important structural issues in the democracy space, such as campaign finance, civic participation, open government initiatives, and journalism education and training. Explore the data tool.

 

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Media Impact Funders

Media Impact Funders

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Media Impact Funders traces its roots back to the Council on Foundations, a longtime philanthropy-serving organization. Formerly Grantmakers in Film, Video & Television, MIF began on a volunteer basis in 1984 as an affinity group for funders interested in the power of film to highlight social issues. 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.