Media Democracy Fund is a nonprofit grant making initiative that works with foundations and individual donors to support digital rights, internet access, online freedom of expression, internet privacy, internet security, and equality.
[1] Media Democracy Fund was founded by Helen Brunner, and awarded its inaugural round of grants in 2006.
[2] Media Democracy Fund is known for creating, managing and funding campaigns to support the open internet,[3] including the successful defeat of SOPA/PIPA in 2012,[4] and the Federal Communications Commission’s Open Internet rulemaking in 2015.
[5][6] Media Democracy Fund has provided seed funding for organizations that now serve as leaders in the field of digital rights, including Fight for the Future,[7] Media Action Grassroots Network[8] and Open Technology Institute.
Media Democracy Fund maintains sub-funds that focus on specific issue areas, which include an Open Internet Defense Fund, Copyright Initiative, Surveillance Fund, Global Initiatives and Rapid Response Fund.