Media Democracy Fund--2006 Grants

Media Democracy Fund—Inaugural Grants

The Media Democracy Fund (MDF) announced its inaugural round of grantmaking, with grants to eleven groups totaling $565,000 to support their work in creating a just and open media environment.

MDF is committed to funding where there are gaps in strategic support, and where groups are positioned to make a difference with a modest or catalytic investment. Based on field analysis, areas identified for support include expanding and diversifying the base of constituencies engaged in creating a media environment that serves their communities; supporting resources that build the capacity of the field as a whole; and responding to the urgent need to keep the Internet open and create low cost access to broadband Internet services in underserved areas.

The Media Democracy Fund has been established to support advocacy groups working to build and protect public access to vital, democratic media. Founded on the belief that freedom of expression and access to information are basic human rights, the Fund is being initiated with donations from the following foundations and donors: Albert A. List Foundation, Ford Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, Open Society Institute, Quixote Foundation, Arca Foundation, Otto Haas Charitable Trust, HKH Foundation, Park Foundation and individual donor, Peter Kent.

Grants are made from the fund are made on a competitive basis. Further information may be found at: www.proteusfund.org/mdf .

Media Democracy Fund - 2006 Grants

Total: $545,000. An additional $100,000 has been set aside for a Rapid Response Fund.

American Forum--$30,000

To support the expansion of American Forum’s Youth Media Justice Project.

Center for Rural Strategies--$50,000

To support increasing the involvement of rural constituencies through two national convenings and an Internet-based media campaign. This work is being undertaken in cooperation with the Main Street Project.

Ethos Group / Acorn Active Media Foundation--$40,000

To support a centralized Municipal Wireless Broadband Resource Center and Online Toolkit.

Federation of State PIRGs / Center for Public Interest Research--$75,000

To support the Federation of State PIRGs Building Bridges to Reform Our Media project.

Future of Music Coalition --$40,000

To support the Future of Music Coalition’s Concert Series on the integrated issues of media ownership and network neutrality.

New Rules Project / Institute for Local Self Reliance--$30,000

To support the New Rules Project’s Telecommunications As Commons Initiative.

Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund--$75,000

To support involving LCCREF’s growing base of state coalitions in media policy issues.

Main Street Project--$50,000

To support increasing the involvement of rural constituencies through two national convenings and an Internet-based media campaign. This work is being undertaken in cooperation with the Center for Rural Strategies.

Media Action Grassroots Network (MAG-Net) /Media Alliance--$50,000 (matching grant)

To support MAG-Net’s emerging national network of regional organizations that is strengthening the leadership, strategy and coordination of grassroots constituencies as part of the media reform movement.

Progressive States Network--$30,000

To support the Progressive States Network’s Technology Investment and Democratic Culture Program.

Rockwood Leadership Program--$25,000 (matching grant)

To support a bank of consulting hours that can be drawn on by graduates of Rockwood Leadership Program’s Media Policy Reform Leadership Enhancement Program.