Public Media Grants
WPSU Penn State is excited to announce an opportunity for public radio and/or television stations. Grants, made possible by the New York Life Foundation, are available to support local radio reporting and/or documentary screening events highlighting local grief work and stories.
Grants of up to $5,000 per station, based on the scope of your project, will be awarded on a competitive basis to public radio and/or television stations. Stations may apply to use funding for your local radio reporting about grief, a local screening/event initiative showcasing WPSU’s one-hour Speaking Grief documentary, or both a radio and screening/event project. WPSU will be able to award approximately 15 grants.
The centerpiece of this initiative is a nationally-distributed public television documentary produced by WPSU Penn State that premieres May 2020. Your local radio reporting and screening events will help extend the impact and reach of Speaking Grief.
Requirements and process details are below. If you are interested in submitting a proposal, please complete the form that follows. For ideas and best practices, download our Event Planning Guide.
Please do not hesitate to contact project manager, Cassie Caldwell, with questions at 814.863.6225 or ccaldwell@psu.edu
The Grant Application Period Has Ended
Requirements & Process Details
Award Goals
The purpose of the award is to extend the impact, audience, and reach of Speaking Grief through local screenings and awareness events.
Eligibility Requirements
All non-commercial public radio and television (PBS and/or NPR affiliate) stations are eligible to apply. To receive grant payment, all awardees will need to be registered in SAM.gov and have a DUNS number.
Application Process
- January 22, 2020
- Application process opens
- March 9, 2020
- Submissions due by 12 p.m. EST
- April 2020
- Grant winners announced
- May 2020
- Speaking Grief documentary available for broadcast
- May 1, 2020
- Grant award agreements due
- May 15, 2020
- Grant funds dispersed
- January 2021
- Deliverables due
Process Details
Proposals for radio and/ or screening and awareness projects conforming to the requirements below must be filed electronically via the form below. Proposals will include a project description; a budget, including any additional funds you will contribute; and project timeline.
Deliverables
Grantees awarded to produce radio stories agree to the following requirements that will allow for a local perspective and conversation on grief through this initiative:
- Broadcast your story locally, or for internet-only projects, make it available on your website
- Coordinate a regional broadcast of the public television documentary to align with your local reporting
- Share your story digitally with WPSU Penn State and give us permission to:
- Add your story to our website
- Share your story with other public radio stations
- Distribute your story through other online platforms to help connect new audiences
- Provide appropriate funding acknowledgements for WPSU and New York Life Foundation (as will be outlined in the grant contract upon award)
Grantees awarded to host a screening or awareness event agree to the following requirements that will allow local conversations and events through this initiative:
- Screen the documentary
- Hold a conversation on grief that aligns with the mission of the event
- Promote the event before and after
- Coordinate a regional broadcast of the public television documentary
- Event ideas may include:
- Panel discussion
- Small group discussion
- Workshop activities
- Displays and resource sharing
- Community engagement activities
- Interactive spaces
- Provide appropriate funding acknowledgements for WPSU and New York Life Foundation (as will be outlined in grant contracts)
- Gather event details and impact measures and complete the final report form to be provided by WPSU.
- All grantees are encouraged to coordinate with local grief groups and organizations and their local New York Life office (when applicable).
Use of Funds
- Funds may be used to support:
- Personnel (i.e. staff and external partners) and any associated fringe benefits
- Direct costs associated with the event such as rentals, refreshments, and collateral
- Overhead or facilities and administration costs are not eligible for funding.
Selection Criteria
- A project theme that aligns with the mission and resources of Speaking Grief
- A plan to promote the project to your target population
- A plan for impactful conversation and/or activities on grief
- Reasonable project goals and objectives with a plan that clearly indicates the steps to be accomplished to fulfill objectives
- Evidence of qualified personnel and organizational resources to assure completion of the project
- Budget plan that is complete, clear, and well justified to complete the project
Print these Requirements
Questions
For further questions and assistance, please contact project manager, Cassie Caldwell, at 814.863.6225 or ccaldwell@psu.edu