Technical assistance
MDLF is more than a source of finance to its clients. Providing affordable capital is important but it is not enough: media businesses need skills and know-how to make the best use of financing.
With our in-house expertise and our international network of media specialists, we provide an additional business resource for clients, always ready to offer advice and assistance when called on. Our rigorous monthly monitoring process means that we can anticipate problems before they happen and help to identify effective solutions.
The long-term nature of our financing - usually 5 to 10 years - means that we develop an involved relationship with clients, more active investor than hands-off bank. We tailor our support to the individual needs of each client, from building management capacity to helping design a strategy for expansion, or providing assistance in technical solutions and new media.
We also believe that emerging market media businesses are often the best source of solutions for each other, so we foster a network of clients and provide them with regular opportunities to share knowledge and find answers to their common problems.
Invest in press freedom
It's easy to invest in MDLF's work, providing independent news businesses with the financing they need to hold governments to account, expose corruption and fight for justice for all.
Track record
From 1996 to December 31, 2011, MDLF provided $113.3 million in affordable financing, including:
· $98.9 million in loans and equity investments;
· $13.9 million in technical assistance and other grants;
· Earned over $36.4 million in interest, dividends and capital gains;
· Collected more than $50.8 million in recovered principal invested;
· $0.5 million through Digital Kiosk, the secure payment service for independent media;
It has written off only 1.91% of the total loaned and invested.
MDLF has returned more than $16.8 million to investors. It ended December 2011 with a portfolio of $40.7 million in outstanding loans and investments.
