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Membership

About GFEM Membership
GFEM is a membership organization comprised of foundations, organizations with a significant funding portfolio and private donors. Our members also include funders who do not fund media but want knowledge of the field to be more effective in their philanthropic work.

How to Apply for Membership
Review the rate schedule, guidelines and policies below. Then fill out GFEM's quick and easy online membership application.

We invite you to join GFEM based on an annual dues structure that corresponds with the size of your organization and/or grantmaking activities.

Rate

Description

No fee

Reciprocal membership for Council on Foundations Affinity Groups

$150

Council on Foundations Affinity Group or Donor Network

$250

Individuals based at foundations and qualifying organizations that are not in a position to provide GFEM membership.

$1,000

Foundations, private donors and organizations with an annual grants budget under $1,000,000

$2,000

Foundations, private donors and organizations with an annual grants budget between $1,000,000 and $1,999,999

$3,000

Foundations, private donors and organizations with an annual grants budget between $2,000,000 and $3,999,999

$5,000

Foundations, private donors and organizations with an annual grants budget between $4,000,000 and $5,999,999

$10,000

Foundations, private donors and organizations with an annual grants budget of $6,000,000 or more.

$10,000+GFEM welcomes Supporting Memberships beyond $10,000 from funders who have it within their capacity.

Your Return on Investment
Your GFEM membership engages you in support of programs that highlight best practices in media philanthropy, explore innovative funding strategies in the field and elevate the practice of media funding as an effective means of improving the human condition.

Other benefits of membership include:

  • Discounts to GFEM special events and funder delegations;

  • Reduced rates for our funder support services, which include one-on-one consultations and media curating services;

  • Dissemination of any media-related print materials your organization generates to our list of over 1200; and

  • Feature pieces about your grantmaking on our web site and in our newsletter.

 

Membership Cycle
GFEM Membership is based on the calendar year: Jan 1 - December 31. Your prorated membership dues will be automatically calculated by the online membership form. Memberships that are initiated after Jan 1 will be prorated accordingly and made effective as of the first of the month following the date the online form is submitted.

GFEM Membership Policy
GFEM is an Affinity Group of the Council on Foundations, however foundations need not be members of the Council to be members of GFEM.

Non-profit and government funders: We welcome not-for-profit funders and government funders as members of GFEM, however, we will ask you to provide documentation that grantmaking is a primary activity of your organization.

Individual donors: Individual donors are eligible for GFEM membership; however, we will need documentation of your grantmaking activities and/or affiliation with a donor network. (Eligible funders who elect not to become a member will still receive our mailings, newsletters, and invitations to our events and activities.)

Grant in Lieu of Membership Fee
We understand that some foundations and organizations are not in a position to pay membership dues but prefer to affiliate with affinity groups by making a grant. If you would like to become a member and require a proposal, please check the appropriate box on the membership form. We will apply for affinity group support accordingly.

Privacy Policy
GFEM will not share its member mailing list for any reason. GFEM does highlight member programs and activities. These may be featured on the GFEM website, in the e-newsletter or in other forms. Our member list with affiliated weblinks is included on the GFEM website. Please let us know if your organization wishes to remain anonymous.

Submit membership application online.