As part of a new strategic direction informed by a yearlong review of our organization, we’ve been tasked with outlining learning priorities for the year and beyond. We have identified the following priorities:
- Making the case for media funding
- Assessing the impact of media funding
- Understanding the importance of evidence-based science communications activities
- Presenting/identifying funding models & best practices for supporting local journalism
More importantly, in response to the increasingly urgent need to address global climate change, we will be prioritizing programming around the environment. We’re committed to helping funders engage in conversations around the narrative change needed to shift policy, behavior and culture. In convening funders both in person and online, we will create opportunities to talk, learn, share and collaborate. We are inviting all funders, whether you expressly support media or not, to join us in this cause.
While we are still working to finalize our programming for the year, here’s a look at some of our upcoming events focusing on the environment:
July 23 — Screening and discussion of National Geographic’s new film, Sea of Shadows.
Learn more and register.
July 25 — Webinar on environmental journalism.
Learn more and register.
Oct. 29-30 — The Annual Journalism Funders Gathering
Learn more and register.
November 2019 – High-impact climate media
Details to come.
Jan. 14, 2020 – Funders-only pre-conference at National Geographic’s Storytelling Summit
Details to come.
May 2020 – Media Impact Forum
Details to come.
About the Author
Deputy Director of External Affairs
Nina Sachdev brings more than 20 years of experience in journalism, news editing, and marketing to her role as Deputy Director of External Affairs at Media Impact Funders (MIF). Since joining MIF in 2016 as the organization’s first full-time Director of Communications, Nina has been leading efforts to showcase the power of media, journalism, and storytelling to the philanthropic community. Through strategic communications, member engagement, research initiatives, and high-profile speaking events, Nina works to educate and inspire funders to make more strategic decisions about their media funding. In 2026, Nina was promoted to Deputy Director of External Affairs.
Nina’s experience as a senior leader in a philanthropy-serving organization (PSO)—combined with her unique perspective as a grantseeker and grantmaker—enables her to effectively advocate for MIF’s mission and vision and build strong relationships with donors and key stakeholders in media philanthropy. Nina also brings from her journalism days a special focus on sexual assault and reproductive health. She is a tireless advocate for the importance of quality, impactful storytelling, and journalism on these topics.
Nina cut her teeth in journalism at The Dallas Morning News, where—as an intern on the copy desk—she was tasked with editing the obituaries of famous people who hadn’t yet died. Since then, Nina has worked at The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, The Philadelphia Daily News, and The Philadelphia Weekly in almost every editorial capacity imaginable, including senior editor, A1 editor (when that used to be a thing), and slot (does anyone remember that being a thing?).
Nina is the creator and editor of the award-winning The Survivors Project: Telling the Truth About Life After Sexual Abuse, which exposes the reality of healing from the effects of sexual abuse. Nina holds an M.A. in journalism from Temple University. She lives in Philadelphia with her family.
