Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible to use MNN's production facilities a user must meet one of the following conditions:

1. Be a legal resident of Manhattan, at least 18 years old, with a legal mailing address in Manhattan (a box number is not acceptable). The user must be able to submit an acceptable form of identification with age and proof of residency, and have such verification on file with MNN. Download this form to submit with I.D. and proof of residency.
2. Be a member of a non-profit organization operating in the borough of Manhattan and is authorized to produce a program for her/his organization.

Use of MNN's production facilities is free of charge for eligible producers producing programs for cablecast on Manhattan's public access channels. MNN does not provide production crew or editors. Anyone operating MNN equipment must be appropriately certified as described in these guidelines.

Proving Eligibility

Acceptable forms of ID

All proof must be current and display name as shown on Proof of Residence.

• State-issued Driver’s license
• U.S. or Foreign Passport
• Military ID with photo only
• State-issued photo ID card
• Green card/Residency card with photo only
• City/State issued Welfare, Medicaid, or food stamp card with photo only

Acceptable forms of proof of residency

You must provide 4 Points of Proof. Each piece of proof must be from a unique category below, be the most recent bill or statement, reflect the name as shown on your ID, and display the current address. (Account numbers will be blacked out.

GROUP I - Location-connected services

4 points

• Cable bill
• Gas bill
• Electric bill
• Phone bill (land line only)

GROUP II - Acceptable monthly bills

2 points

• Monthly Bank Statement
• Cell phone monthly billing statement
• Credit card monthly billing statement
• Health insurance monthly billing statement
• Student loan monthly billing statement
• Employment/Unemployment pay stub
• Medicare/Social Security monthly statement

GROUP III - Alternate Proof accepted

1 point (combined with proof from Group II)

• Rent Billing statement
• Tax return - Current year only
• Retirement plan quarterly statement

Not accepted

• Termination of Services notice
• Computerized print-out for any bill/service
• Canceled checks
• Jury summons
• Employee IDs
• Student IDs
• Voter Registration

Manhattan Non-profit Organizations

Individuals or groups less than five wishing to produce programs on behalf of a Manhattan-based non-profit organization must complete the following:

• Provide a letter on company letterhead authorizing them to produce the program on behalf on that organization with Executive Director contact information.
• The Executive Director will be sent a form to be filled out and returned by the organization.
• Additional materials requested in the form need to all be returned to MNN, this includes but is not limited to, 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter, a brochure and a list of the Board of Directors with contact information.
• Individuals representing the organization must also present an acceptable form of picture ID from the list above.
• Approved individuals can then be signed up for orientation and then for workshops.

Members of a non-profit organization must provide a letter on a company letterhead authorizing them to produce the program on behalf of that organization, as well as evidence of non-profit status such as a 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter and a list of the Board of Directors with contact information. Individuals representing the organization must also present an acceptable form of picture ID from the list above.