Fund for Indigenous Journalists: Reporting on MMIWG2T FAQ

What types of projects and opportunities will the fund support?

Indigenous journalists and Indigenous-led teams may apply for funding for reporting projects.

Reporting projects include journalistic work in any media format, including but not limited to stories for print, broadcast, multimedia, podcasts, documentaries, photography and all new media. The Fund for Indigenous Journalists: Reporting on MMIWG2T will prioritize funding for U.S.-based, in-depth reporting projects that go beyond breaking news and explore the underlying factors of the issue of violence against Indigenous people and the issue of Missing & Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) with a focus on women, girls, Two-Spirit, and transgender people.

We encourage applicants to consider a one-year timeline or less for completion and publication of work. Projects pitched for this opportunity need to be completed and published/produced in under a year. All applications must include a detailed preliminary budget and timeline. There are certain requests that the Fund selection committee will not consider. The Fund will not provide money to cover tuition expenses for undergraduate or graduate degree programs.

Who is eligible to apply for grants through the fund?
  • Indigenous journalists of any gender are eligible to apply.
  • Practicing journalism must be the applicant’s primary profession.
  • Applicants must have professional journalism experience.
  • Teams of journalists may apply; however, the submission must be from an Indigenous journalist and include an Indigenous journalist as the lead decision-maker of the project.
  • Special consideration will be given to freelance journalists.
What is the average grant amount?

The average grant amount is expected to be up to $5,000. Project proposals over $10,000 will be considered on a limited basis. All applications must include a detailed preliminary budget.

How often will you distribute grants?

Starting in March 2022, the Fund for Indigenous Journalists: Reporting on MMIWG2T will accept applications on a rolling basis; applications take approximately 4-6 weeks from date of submission to process. Please keep this in mind as you design your project timeline.

How can I learn more about the fund?

For more information about the Fund, please continue to visit the IWMF website. You can also follow us through social media platforms. If you have specific questions about the Fund for Indigenous Journalists: Reporting on MMIWG2T, please email IWMF Director Tara Gatewood (Isleta Pueblo/Diné) at tgatewood[at]iwmf[dot]org.