Community Voices Fund

About the Fund

Independence Public Media Foundation's (IPMF) Community Voices Fund supports creative, community-centered media and media-making across Greater Philadelphia. 

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Who is Eligible and How to Apply

Eligibility 

Your project must fit at least one of the following focus areas:

• Community-owned media and local storytelling
• Community-centered news and journalism 
• Using archives for building community power
• Narrative shift and media for movement building

This is an open call for 501(c)3 nonprofits or fiscally-sponsored* organizations/projects based in:

• Pennsylvania: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Philadelphia, Montgomery counties. 
• New Jersey: Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties. 
• Delaware: New Castle County.

*this grant cycle is for 501(c)3 and fiscally-sponsored organizations/projects. we ask individual filmmakers to apply through our film nominations process.

Grant Awards

The Community Voices Fund will award one year grants in three different ranges, depending on the scope and needs of the work. These categories are meant to provide helpful guidance, but we will remain flexible as we review applications: 

• The Star level ($20,000-$50,000) is typically geared toward new or smaller-scale projects, community engagement, or experimentation. 
• The Constellation level ($50,000-$100,000) generally seeks to support larger-scale projects or collaborations that result in innovative content creation and stronger networks. 
• The Galaxy level ($100,000-$150,000) will support established programs and projects to expand, evolve or deepen their work, particularly those that are focused on movement building. 

We will award a total of $800,000 in grants. These are non-renewable one-year grants.

How to Apply/Application Materials:

CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE
CLICK HERE TO PREVIEW THE APPLICATION
CLICK HERE FOR A SAMPLE BUDGET TEMPLATE

We aim to keep the process for applying as simple as we can. To apply, you will fill out an online application which includes contact information, a demographic survey of your organization and project leader(s), a brief narrative about your project, and a project timeline and budget. You will receive confirmation when your application has been received.

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Our Review Process and Timeline

Timeline (subject to change)

• May 8 — Application opens
• May 9 — Office hours, 11am-12pm
• May 12 — Office hours, 11am-12pm
• May 22 — Office hours, 12pm-1pm
• June 2 — Application closes at 12pm EST
• July 3-14 — Selected proposals will be notified*

*if possible, we will make an effort to let applicants know earlier on if their proposal will not be funded.

The Review Process

A panel of seven community members will review applications and select proposals to fund. Proposals will be reviewed at the same time—after the application deadline has passed. Preference will be given to proposals that meet one or more of the following criteria: 

• Organizations and projects led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, women, people who are LGBTQIA+, Two-Spirit, Trans, genderqueer, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, and/or queer. Those who are disabled, immigrants, people directly impacted by mass incarceration, or have other lived experiences that are historically excluded from journalism and media making.
• Organizations with annual operating budgets under $1 million
• Support increased agency, civic engagement, and a mutual aid approach within communities
• Compensate community members directly for their stories and contributions 
• Amplify the stories and needs of communities excluded from media-making, in partnership with those communities
• Seek to build lasting community connections through media and media making
• Feature collaboration between multiple partners 

Furthermore, the Community Voices fund will center voices and leadership from communities targeted by white supremacy and state-sanctioned violence.

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Application Support and FAQs

Office Hours

IPMF staff will host two virtual office hours in May to answer any questions about the application process. Multiple people are welcome to join and ask questions.  Click below to attend.

• May 12, 11am-12pm 
• May 22, 12pm-1pm 

FAQs

My organization is not a 501(c)3 but we don't have a fiscal-sponsor either, can we apply?

We are unable to make grants to applicants without a fiscal sponsor.

I'm a filmmaker seeking support for my film, can I apply to Community Voices? 

We are not accepting individual filmmaker applications through Community Voices. This grant cycle is aimed toward organizations and organization-led projects. We invite filmmakers to apply through our film nominations process.

Can I apply if I received a grant through a previous Community Voices open call?

Previous Community Voices grantees are welcome to apply.

Can current IPMF grantees apply to the Community Voices Fund?

If IPMF invited you to apply for a grant this year, this funding cycle is not for you. As we strive to be accessible, the Community Voices Fund prioritizes organizations or projects that are new to IPMF and those who are not receiving funds through an invited process. That said, applicants that plan to partner with current grantees will not be penalized. Current grantees can visit our How to Apply Page for other opportunities.

How many times can I apply?

We will not accept more than one proposal per organization/project for the Community Voices Fund.

 

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About IPMF
Formerly known as WYBE Channel 35, Independence Public Media Foundation was founded in 2018 when WYBE sold its broadcast license as part of the Federal Communications Commission’s Broadcast Incentive Auction and received a one-time payment of $131.5 million. With these funds, IPMF supports Black-led, Indigenous-led, and people-of-color led media organizations and media making projects that help communities build their narrative power for equity and justice.