Why Join a Podcast Creators ProgramS
Have you ever thought to yourself, ‘If I had more money, my podcast would be incredible’ Or maybe you have wondered, ‘If someone would tell me what to do, my podcast would be huge!’ Well, you are lucky because creator funds want to mentor you and provide you with money to support your podcast.
A creator fund is a pot of money to be used to aid, support, and encourage the podcaster to continue working on their craft. In many cases, the money is granted subjectively, after the podcaster files an application and that application (and podcaster) is reviewed and deemed to be worthy of the money. The money may be used for production costs, equipment, or marketing expenses.
Podcasting requires money, time, and energy. You can apply to a creator fund and program to receive financial support and guidance from peers and established podcasters. And honestly, some of the application processes are stressful; your monthly download numbers are personal, providing a spreadsheet of your monthly expenses may not be fun for you. However, the mentorship and guidance that you could receive as a participant in a creator fund and program are incredible. Learning from and sharing with other podcasters might be more valuable than the money you receive.
Podcasting is popular, which is why Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are giving money to creators to support their podcasts. Review this list of the most popular creator funds and programs and see if you could benefit from the following programs:
Google Creator Fund
Mission: Be trained, mentored, and receive resources to assist you with your podcast. Apply to be included in a 12-week immersive program with Google and PRX (Public Radio Exchange). If not accepted for the program (or in addition to the program), you may subscribe to receive FREE weekly emails, webinars, and assignments about your podcast.
Fund Amount: Up to $12,000 to be used for production expenses
Apply here: https://googlecp.prx.org/apply
Application process: Closed; review the website for the new application window
Podcaster Focused: Yes
Spotify Greenroom Creator Fund
Mission: Creators of live audio may receive payment based on audience size and consumption of the content. Spotify does not designate what content consumption means, but I assume it means engagement with the rooms, inviting others to the rooms, etc.
Fund: Unknown amount
Apply Here: https://greenroomcreatorfund.byspotify.com after downloading the Greenroom app
Application Process: Continuous; open now
Podcaster Focused: No. Creator of live content on the Greenroom app is the priority, but you may use Greenroom to record podcast episodes.
Interesting Quirk: Not available to creators with an existing contract with Spotify. Spotify owns Anchor, so review terms and conditions to ensure no conflicts with applying,
LinkedIn Creator Accelerator
Mission: To draw more creators to their platform and give app users more ways to engage with the content on their app. 100 creator positions are available for the ten-week program.
Fund: $15,000 grant for participants; $25 million fund
Apply Here: https://members.linkedin.com/creators?trk=creators&veh=creators
Application Process: Closed; review the website for the new application window
Podcaster Focused: Not specifically. LinkedIn wants engagement that includes video and audio production.
Buzzsprout Creator Fund
Mission: Partnership to grow a podcaster influence, find support and align a podcasts brand with Buzzsprout.
Fund: Monthly stipend based on influence, as well as free podcast hosting, conference tickets, swag; fund total unknown
Apply Here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/creator
Application Process: Continuous; open now
Podcaster Focused: Yes.
Interesting Quirk: Must have a minimum of 500 downloads in the first 30 days of podcast episodes.
Podfund
Mission: Money is provided to podcast studios or high potential creators based on stage, revenue, success track, etc. to support their podcast. Continuous application process without a definite deadline.
Fund: $25,000 to $150,000
Apply Here: https://pod.fund
Application Process: Open now
Podcaster Focused: Yes.
Audible Podcast Development Program
Mission: Provides production funding, editorial guidance, casting resources, and mentorship. Must apply with a podcast idea that is not currently available for the public; so do not apply with your existing show.
Fund: Up to $10,000, fund total unknown
Apply Here: https://www.audible.com/ep/podcast-development-program
Application Process: Closed; review the website for the new application window
Podcaster Focused: Yes
Interesting Quirk: Audible is functioning separately from Amazon Music, which also hosts podcasts.
Apple Podcasts is missing from this list because the Apple paid podcast subscriptions have eliminated the need for a creator fund.
After reviewing these six creator funds and programs, think about applying to one or two if the program sounds interesting to you. As podcasting continues to grow, we will see more companies starting creator funds and programs to assist creators.
