Chicago Media Project
Chicago Media Project (CMP) is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois, formed in 2014. It brings together a community of storytellers, changemakers, artists, activists, and philanthropists, and supports documentary media and related impact work through collective philanthropy.
Chicago Media Project at a glance
In short: Chicago Media Project gave $40K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $20K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $40,000
- -38.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- -33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $20,000
- -7.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $334,650
- +34.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (75% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Chicago Media Project
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
CMP’s contact page says it does not accept unsolicited requests for film funding at this time. The 2024 filing describes Impact Grant Fund submissions as invitation-only.
- Review Cycle
- The Shifting Voices Film Fund deadline listed for its 2025 round was February 14, 2025; this is a past deadline.
- Deadline
- The Shifting Voices Film Fund deadline listed for its 2025 round was February 14, 2025; this is a past deadline.
- Contact
Mailing address: 301 West Grand Avenue 170, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: (773) 848-4263
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Chicago Media Project funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Strike SVFF Film ($30K). Together the top 2 received $40K.
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 24 grants of 26 (92%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CMP describes its community as nationwide. The Shifting Voices Film Fund’s past FAQ said it accepted films from within the United States and gave special attention to Chicago-based films and filmmakers.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
Cities
How Chicago Media Project gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+1%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $40K (2021) to $204K (2022). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $40K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Strike SVFF Film New York, NY | Filmmaking | $30,000 |
| Rough Cut Retreat San Francisco, CA | Filmmaking | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $334,650 | $864,819 | $771,720 | $40,000 | 2 | $9,999 |
| 2023 | $249,290 | $1,572,648 | $1,321,172 | $65,000 | 3 | $225 |
| 2022 | $318,376 | $703,723 | $1,221,034 | $203,853 | 11 | $39,751 |
| 2021 | $1,188,994 | $927,498 | $833,572 | $39,500 | 3 | $8,332 |
| 2020 | $378,142 | $713,629 | $807,621 | $94,560 | 7 | $2,877 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
On its 2024 filing, CMP states its mission is “to impact society through the powerful tools of media and film” and to unite people interested in media while developing a core group of informed citizens. Its stated programs include screenings and other community events, member access to nonfiction media and filmmakers, and the Shifting Voices Film Fund, which supports stories spotlighting historically excluded cultures, history, and experiences in America.
CMP’s website describes its approach as collective philanthropy in support of documentaries, filmmakers, and impact campaigns. In 2022, grantees included Mezcla Media Collective, whose stated mission is to empower emerging filmmakers and support women and non-binary filmmakers of color; Chicago Public Media, whose stated mission is to strengthen local communities and democracy through independent local journalism; and Kartemquin Educational Films, whose stated mission is to foster an engaged and just society through documentary filmmaking and filmmaker development.
Grantmaking
The IRS filing data lists 11 grants totaling $203,853 in 2022, an average of about $18,532 per grant. It lists zero grants in both 2023 and 2024. Examples of 2022 grants include $20,073 to Mezcla Media Collective LTD, $12,500 to Chicago Public Media Inc, and $9,990 to Kartemquin Educational Films. Its 2024 filing, the latest on this page, reports 2 grants totaling $40,000.
CMP’s 2024 filing says submissions for its Impact Grant Fund are by invitation only. It describes a proposal checklist and a grant application deadline; selected recipients receive a disbursement schedule and award requirements, including communications with CMP, crediting the fund, and providing a final edit of the supported project. The filing also says recipients receive mentoring and guidance from CMP staff and members.
A separate Shifting Voices Film Fund FAQ described a past round for documentary films by emerging filmmakers from underrepresented communities in the United States, with special attention to Chicago-based films and filmmakers. It supported all production stages, allowed one project per applicant, and accepted audio or video responses to application questions. Its deadline was February 14, 2025, so that cycle is past.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Paula Froehle as CEO and Steven Cohen as board chair. Directors listed are Daniel O Ash, Deborah Danson, Vicky Hayman, Ben O’Keefe, Judy Wise, Ken Nolan, Andrew Schwertfeger, and Elena Valentine.
Chicago Media Project is led by Paula Froehle, CEO on every filing since 2020; 2 of 10 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Paula Froehle
CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$133K (2020) → $139K (2024)
Steven Cohen
Board Chair
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$30K (2023) → $3K (2024)
Andrew Schwertfeger
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judy Wise
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ken Nolan
Director
Director → Director -, 2021
Director - → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ben O'Keefe
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Danson
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elena Valentine
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel O. Ash
Director
Director - → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vicky Hayman
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Samantha C. Verhey (2021–2023) — Cos & Director of Member
- Former: Douglas Patinkin (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Erika Kelton (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Ken Pelletier (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Vicki Heyman (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jason Delane Lee (2020–2021) — Director -
- Former: Robert Pasin (2020–2021) — Director -
- Former: Tom Foster (2020–2021) — Director -
- Former: Yvonne Lee (2020–2021) — Director -
- Former: Jen Westphal (2021) — Director -
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $139K, to Paula Froehle (CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Chicago Media Project
How much does Chicago Media Project give each year?
Chicago Media Project gave $40K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $65K across 3 grants.
How large is Chicago Media Project?
Chicago Media Project reported $335K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $865K.
What does Chicago Media Project fund?
On its 2024 filing, CMP states its mission is “to impact society through the powerful tools of media and film” and to unite people interested in media while developing a core group of informed citizens. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Chicago Media Project?
CMP’s contact page says it does not accept unsolicited requests for film funding at this time. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Chicago Media Project make grants?
CMP describes its community as nationwide. The Shifting Voices Film Fund’s past FAQ said it accepted films from within the United States and gave special attention to Chicago-based films and filmmakers.
What is Chicago Media Project's EIN?
Chicago Media Project's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-5739978. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Chicago Media Project accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Chicago Media Project funds
Public, Societal Benefit Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Figures come from Chicago Media Project's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Chicago Media Project down — hundreds of funders to go?