Fund for Indigenous Journalists: MMIWG2T Grant Application Guide

Eligibility

An applicant must identify as Indigenous and be a professional, practicing journalist with experience. Teams may apply, but the team leader must be an Indigenous journalist and the lead decision-maker of the project.

About the Fund

The IWMF’s Fund for Indigenous Journalists: Reporting on Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit, Transgender People (MMIWG2T) opportunity supports the production of ambitious reporting that opens up underreported aspects of the issue of Missing & Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). Across three years (2022-2025), the IWMF will distribute grants to support Indigenous journalists in their projects and endeavors. The fund is not limited to an annual number of grants or dollar amount distributed.

The fund was designed to help Indigenous journalists by providing grantees support to:

  • Take the lead on stories connected to Indigenous communities;
  • Expose underreported aspects of the MMIP issue;
  • Undertake ambitious projects that challenge traditional media narratives and misconceptions about Indigenous nations and their citizens; and,
  • Develop field-based expertise and strengthen careers.

A voting committee comprised of distinguished Indigenous practicing journalists and editors, along with Indigenous thought leaders, will select grantees.

The Fund for Indigenous Journalists: Reporting on MMIWG2T program is accepting applications on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified of the fund’s grant decisions approximately 4-6 weeks after submission. We will work with individual grants recipients to determine a completion timeline that best suits the project – most project timelines are six months to one year long and funds are distributed when the grant recipients are chosen.

Applicants are encouraged to consider their project publication or production plans in advance of submission and may include an optional letter of support for their project.

Applying for a Grant

Applicants must be prepared to provide the following information (in English):

  1. Contact Information and Resume/CV
  2. Indigenous Affiliation(s)
  3. High-level summary of the project
  4. If applicable, a list of any other team members or applicants
  5. Description of the purpose of the proposal and the MMIWG2T aspect it is designed to address
  6. Publication plan
  7. Estimated budget and time frame
  8. Contact information of two professional references

The IWMF uses an online application system called Submittable for applicants to submit proposals.

A link to the online Submittable system is available through the IWMF’s website.

To begin an application in Submittable, you are required to create a username and password through Submittable’s online system. The system allows applicants to log in and save work before creating a final submission.

Applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail once a completed grant proposal has been submitted.

Applicants will be notified once the committee makes a decision on your application.

Applicants and grantees retain their intellectual property rights throughout their relationship with the IWMF.

Grant Recipients

Grantees are notified by the IWMF staff approximately 4-6 weeks after their application is submitted.

To accept the funds, grantees must countersign a grant agreement letter that details the project, budget and timeline.

Grantees are required to report back to the IWMF periodically and will work with IWMF’s Fund for Indigenous Journalists: Reporting on MMIWG2T Director to determine a succinct method of grant reporting.

Please note that potential grantees can access the application online at iwmf.org. This guide and the Fund for Indigenous Journalists: Reporting on MMIWG2T FAQs (frequently asked questions) will help applicants navigate the process. Before beginning a grant application, applicants should review the IWMF’s mission and initiatives. In addition to providing an overview of the Foundation’s goals, these materials will give applicants a better sense of the projects the IWMF supports.

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.