Beth Nathanson Named First Look Media’s First Chief Philanthropy Officer
May 12, 2021 - (NEW YORK) - First Look Media today announced the appointment of Beth Nathanson as its Chief Philanthropy Officer. As the organization’s first CPO, Nathanson will lead the development and philanthropic efforts across First Look Media’s (FLM) nonprofit division, First Look Institute (FLI), which is home to the renowned investigative journalism organization, The Intercept; the critically acclaimed documentary film unit, Field of Vision; and the Press Freedom Defense Fund, dedicated to providing essential legal support for journalists, news organizations, and whistleblowers targeted because they have brought to light information in the public interest.
In her new role, Nathanson will be integral in advancing First Look Media’s effort to support democratic values in the United States and abroad, without regard for party or political affiliation, and ensuring there is transparency in government and among those in power. As a member of the leadership team, she will design and execute new and comprehensive development strategies and programs to further diversify the company’s various revenue streams, and will also oversee membership outreach, stewardship and engagement for each of the three organizations that constitute First Look Institute.
Nathanson will help build and curate enhanced program pillars to further compel and align with member and donor philanthropic objectives and will establish the organization’s major donor program in collaboration with the leadership team. She reports to First Look Media’s CEO, Michael Bloom.
“Beth joins us at a time in which the world is facing unprecedented challenges, making our work more vital now than at any other time,” said Michael Bloom, CEO of First Look Media. “As we redouble our efforts to ensure a free press and that justice and truth endure, Beth will help further develop a culture of philanthropy that will honor the integrity of our work while leveraging the power of our teams and storytelling to increase our impact and amplify our rallying call. Her passion, vision, and expertise are perfectly matched with the important work we have ahead of us.”
“It is an honor to join the remarkable team at First Look,” said Beth Nathanson, “and I am inspired by the caliber of the work and the programming across the organization. The need for investigative journalism, artist-centered filmmaking, and the defense of a free press has never been greater, making my work in expanding the Institute’s development efforts timely and essential.”
Prior to joining First Look Media, Nathanson served as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for the Anti-Defamation League, based in New York. In this role, she led annual fundraising and capital campaign efforts, partnerships and program planning for the international, anti-hate civil rights organization. She also launched program streams with philanthropists and NGO partners, including civil rights fellowships, anti-bias K-12 digital education and campus tracks, and built ADL support and programming in Europe. Nathanson has also served as Director of Development for the internationally renowned cultural hub the 92nd Street Y in New York City and for Playwrights Horizons, a leading off-Broadway theater. She began her extensive career as Managing Director of the Theatre Program at the Sundance Institute in Los Angeles and at Theatre Communications Group, supporting the national nonprofit theatre community.