Promoting the work and advancing the role of women in the news media across the globe is critical to transparency and a diversity of voices.
The Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists, the first funding initiative of its kind, enables the IWMF to dramatically expand its support of women journalists. Established with a $4 million gift from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the Fund supports projects including educational opportunities, investigative reporting and media development initiatives.
An applicant must identify as a woman and be a full-time professional practicing journalist with more than 3 years of journalism experience. Teams may apply, but the team leader must be a woman journalist and the group must include at least 50 percent women.
The IWMF’s Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists supports the production of ambitious projects and underreported, globally important stories. For the next eight years, the IWMF will make an annual total of $230,000 worth of grants to support women journalists in their projects and endeavors. The fund is not limited in either the grant dollar amount or the number of grants awarded within the annual total.
The fund was designed to help women journalists from around the world by providing grantees support to
- Expose under-reported but critical global issues
- Undertake ambitious projects that challenge traditional media narratives
- Develop field-based expertise and strengthen careers
- Pursue critical skills training and leadership opportunities
- Launch entrepreneurial news projects or acquire the skill to do so
A voting committee comprised of distinguished IWMF Board Members, Courage in Journalism Awardees, former IWMF grantees, and senior practicing journalists and editors will select grantees.
The Fund for Women Journalists 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):
- Contact Information and Resume/CV
- Brief description of the project or opportunity you are seeking funding for
- If applicable, a list of any other team members or applicants
- Description of the purpose of the proposal and the issue/problem it is designed to address
- Estimated budget and time frame
- Contact information of two professional references
Additional Application Information
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.
In order 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.
Due to a high volume of applications, we can only offer limited feedback on individual proposals.
Grant Recipients
Grantees are notified by the IWMF staff approximately 4-6 weeks after the close of the application process.
In order 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 an IWMF Program Manager and Program Coordinator to determine a succinct method of grant reporting.
Awards:- $10,000 average cash grant
Deadline:- Ongoing
