Learn how to pitch to a funder at Media Party 2024
Media Development Investment Fund and The International Fund for Public Interest Media invite media outlets participating in Media Party 2024 to present their projects to a panel of experts.
Securing funding from organizations committed to access to information and quality journalism can be crucial for the development of independent media. This institutional support can enable the exploration of new revenue streams, new and improved journalistic products, and the strengthening of existing business models to sustain high-impact projects. However, it is not always easy to know what funding sources are available and what the criteria and steps are to obtain them. In this new edition of Media Party 2024, you can present your project to a panel made up of both investors and donors to learn how to apply for grants and investment funds.
The International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM) and the Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) will host pitch sessions in the Sala Grande at Konex during Media Party. In these sessions, Latin American media outlets will be able to present their projects and business plans, and receive feedback from a panel of representatives from each organization.
The objective of this activity is for participating media to get to know the organizations, their missions and criteria, as well as the differences between accessing a grant versus an investment.
How to Participate in the Pitch Sessions
- Format: Pitches will last up to 10 minutes and must present the media outlet and its audience, explain its business model, and outline the organization’s vision for the future—specifically, what they would use the funding for, whether in the form of a grant or an investment.
- Feedback: In each session, participants will be able to ask questions and receive feedback on their presentation.
- Eligibility: Media outlets from any country in Latin America and the Caribbean attending Media Party 2024 are eligible to participate.
- Registration: Media outlets can reserve their spot through [this form]. It is also necessary to be registered as an attendee for Media Party through [this second form].
- Important Dates: Selected media outlets for the sessions will be announced on August 20, 2024. The date and time of the pitch sessions will be shared directly with the selected media.
Boost Your Funding Strategy
When presenting to a potential funder, preparation is key to making the most of every opportunity. That is why, in addition to the pitch sessions, IFPIM and MDIF will also host workshops during Media Party. These will be open to the general Media Party public, and any organization can participate:
- How to make a good pitch: In this workshop organized by MDIF, you will get an in-depth look at the criteria and processes of an investment fund and learn how to prepare a clear and compelling pitch.
- Successful grant applications (Key recommendations and tips): This workshop organized by IFPIM will provide knowledge, advice, and tools to prepare funding applications for philanthropic entities and international media support organizations.
About the Convening Organizations
MDIF is a non-profit investment fund that supports independent media through investments and loans, as well as technical support in key areas for organizational development. Based in the United States, it has a presence globally in countries where access to free and independent information is under threat. In Latin America, it supports projects such as GK in Ecuador, El Faro in El Salvador, and EldiarioAR in Argentina, among others.
IFPIM is a new, independent, and multilateral initiative that responds to the existential threats faced by public interest media in low- and middle-income countries. IFPIM’s purpose is to strengthen financial support for independent media organizations in crisis and accelerate systemic, long-term solutions to help the media ecosystem work in favor of democracy.
