Media Grants

The Foundation makes a limited number of grants to support radio programs and films that explore humanities themes. Film projects are eligible only for pre-production and post-production/distribution grants. Media proposals are accepted only at the November 1 and May 1 deadlines.

Special requirements for media proposals are described here.

Pre-production
Applicants may request up to $10,000 for pre-production projects. Pre-production projects result in a script treatment, an edited trailer, and a strategy for securing production funds. Receipt of a pre-production grant does not guarantee subsequent funding from the Foundation.

Note: The Foundation has produced an 11-second tag, which we ask that you insert at the beginning and the end of your master. Starting with production grants funded in November 2002, this will be a requirement of funding. But for productions funded before December, 2002, it is voluntary. Please contact our office at the appropriate time and let us know the format you need.

Distribution
Applicants may request up to $5,000 for media distribution projects, including the development of promotional and instructional material, subtitling, television broadcast, public screenings with discussion, festival fees, and other outreach activities. It is not necessary to have received previous funding from the Foundation to apply for a distribution grant.

Deadlines and Procedures (for media)

• Applicants must consult with Hayley Wood before submitting a draft. This consultation must occur at least one month before the deadline of the grant round -- e.g., for proposals to be submitted on November 1, the preliminary conversation must take place before October 1.
• Use the Project Grant General Instructions and Application which can be downloaded from the download library.
• A draft (one copy) of the project summary, project description, budget request form, and budget explanation must be sent, preferably by email, to your contact program officer at the Northampton office by the 15th of the month preceding the application deadline. Send draft by email to your contact program officer (preferred) or to::
  
  Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities
  66 Bridge Street
  Northampton, MA 01060
  
  
• Applications for Pre-production are accepted only at the November and May deadlines. Applications for Distribution Grants may be submitted at the February, May, August, and November deadlines. Proposals are due on or before the first business day of the month. Notification is within 90 days of submission.
• Funded events may take place no sooner than 30 days after the date of notification.
• Final proposal (signed original and twelve copies) should be sent to.

Read an interview with the Foundation's Executive Director conducted by the Center for Independent Documentary.