We help nonprofits of all sizes and budgets tell better stories to reach more supporters. Build your communications capacity, improve your strategy, and increase your reach.
In 2025, DCTV proudly won two Bronze Telly Awards for a Program Spotlight created for the Nonprofit Media Fellowship highlighting the impact of Friends of the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens—a testament to the power of authentic storytelling.
Apply now for the DCTV Nonprofit Media Fellowship cohort of 2026 to boost your mission and your message!
Early Bird Deadline: December 19, 2025
10% Deadline: January 09, 2025
Full Fee: January 28, 2025
DCTV’s Nonprofit Media Fellowship Program Spotlights are powerful 90-second storytelling videos that highlight how organizations are changing lives. Each short film captures authentic, emotional stories of real people impacted by a nonprofit’s mission. Produced by DCTV’s award-winning media team, these high-quality videos are created during the Fellowship and then licensed free of charge—helping nonprofits expand outreach, attract donors, and amplify community impact.
Through group workshops, digital resources, and expert coaching, we’ll equip you with a new professional video piece to tell your story, new ways to engage your community, and energy to make more impact. You’ll collaborate with other nonprofits, share best practices, and collectively expand your reach. DCTV Media Fellows benefit from:
Through engaging workshops, you will learn creative and effective strategies to reach more donors and supporters. The Media Fellowship provides access to a digital learning library for self-guided instruction as well as regular opportunities to join workshops with expert coaches and peer knowledge exchange.
DCTV producers will create engaging videos that tell the story about how your nonprofit improves the lives of DC residents. We interview your people and film your programs to focus on the issues that matter most to our city. You’ll have the chance to air your own pre-produced PSAs on DCTV channels, too!
“If you want to run fast, go alone. If you want to run far, go together.” We’ll connect you with an engaged group of leadership peers at local nonprofits so you can increase your impact and better serve your communities. Collectively, we’ll discover better ways to share your story, scale your impact, and increase your revenue.
You will learn to share better stories, inspire bigger audiences, and serve even more people in a meaningful way.
Too many organizations struggle to reach donors, raise funds, and build an engaged audience of dedicated supporters. We know how tough it can be to share your message and cut through all the noise.
This capacity-building program helps you do just that! Our expert producers tell the story of how your nonprofit helps people when they need it most. We teach you the skills you need to build your capacity, boost your reach, and increase your impact.
As a DCTV Media Fellow, you are part of a cohort of motivated nonprofit leaders. Together, you will participate in:
Immersive training to help you develop media strategy and tactics
A DCTV-produced piece to tell your story of community impact
Networking and collaboration with a dedicated group of local leaders like you
This in-depth educational program requires an enrollment fee, which supports the administration of the Fellowship and represents a tiny percentage of the operating costs of our professional television studios.
This application is open to nonprofit organizations only. Your organization must have an active EIN in the IRS database.
Register to be notified as soon as the application reopens!
The Media Fellowship gives your nonprofit the training and services you need to tell better stories and reach more people. This is a participatory experience that expands the possibilities for nonprofit support and collaboration. The sessions are designed for busy nonprofit leaders, and the program provides invaluable support to organizations of all sizes.
The application is easy! Be sure to gather your organization’s:
Make it count—apply early and save!
Nonprofits located within in DC or that serve DC are eligible.
Apply by the early bird deadline to lock in a reduced enrollment fee!
|
FEE STRUCTURE |
Early Bird |
10% Discount |
Full Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | Dec. 19, 2025 | Jan. 09, 2026 | Jan. 23, 2026 |
| Amount | $2,800 | $3,150 | $3,500 |
Have a question that isn’t listed below? Email us at nonprofits@dctv.org.
The Nonprofit Media Fellowship is a year-long program designed to help nonprofit organizations of all sizes tell better stories and reach more people. It’s a participatory program that enhances nonprofit support and fosters collaboration in communications and beyond.
This program is open to registered nonprofit organizations only. Your organization must have an active EIN registered with the IRS. There is also a required enrollment fee to join the program.
The application process is simple. When the application period is open, simply scroll up on this page and click the “APPLY NOW” button. The application is designed for busy nonprofit leaders and can be completed in less than an hour.
The Media Fellowship provides great value for nonprofits needing support in communications strategy and management. The fee helps support the administration and operational costs of the Fellowship.
Nonprofits located in DC or serving DC:
Early Bird: $2,800
10% Discount: $3,150
Full Fee: $3,500
Participants will benefit from:
The Nonprofit Media Fellowship typically meets monthly, with the following schedule:
February 2026 – January 2027: Monthly sessions on the second Thursday of each month.
April 2026: In-person meetings every Thursday throughout April.
Each session is designed to help nonprofit leaders gain practical skills for effective media communications. Topics include:
Sessions are interactive, with hands-on activities and discussions to foster peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
The Media Fellowship has welcomed a wide range of organizations, from grassroots initiatives to large national nonprofits, including those focused on education, homelessness, health, arts, dance, music, and more. Our diverse participant base reflects the vibrant nonprofit community in Washington, DC, and the surrounding DMV area.
