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Highlights from JFunders24: Day 2

Day 2 of JFunders24 was focused on funder-only discussions, some meant to expand funders’ understanding of journalism grantmaking—such as a session unpacking the mechanics of for-profit grantmaking—and others that were meant to explore opportunities for support in areas such as legal threats, digital and physical safety and security, the backlash against racial equity, and more.  […]

Highlights from JFunders24: Day 1

At a time when pillars of American journalism such as The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times are crumbling at the hands of their billionaire owners, leading lights of journalism and philanthropy came together last week for the annual gathering of journalism funders at public media bulwark KQED in San Francisco to explore how […]

WATCH: From Stories to Solutions: Media’s Role in Philanthropy

Facing significant challenges, local news outlets are providing less coverage of crucial topics—including philanthropy. This decline often obscures philanthropy’s vital role in keeping communities vibrant and meeting critical needs. To address this, The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s Nonprofit Accountability and Solutions Fellowship equips local journalists with the skills needed to craft compelling stories about the vital […]

WATCH: Exploring the role of local forums to strengthen information, community and democracy

Forget what you know about the current infrastructure of digital public forums—listservs, Facebook Groups, Nextdoor. Done right, forums could be spaces where local journalism can thrive, build a real audience, and do the essential work of informing people on topics important in their lives, investigating corruption and malfeasance, and providing useful analysis. Unfortunately, the local […]

WATCH: Global Journalism Funding Strategies & Insights

While there is general consensus among funders about the significance of the safety and security of journalists, many say that the actual implementation of safety and security measures is falling short. This discussion explores one compelling discovery from MIF’s latest research on the global journalism funding landscape: In a funder survey, when asked about motivations […]

The 2024 Media Impact Forum: The Stories We Tell

The 2024 Media Impact Forum served as an important reminder that storytelling is the bridge we desperately need to foster understanding in a fractured world. Journalists and creators are on the front lines, crafting narratives that transcend cultural and regional boundaries. Their work is essential for promoting empathy and a more informed future. The Forum […]

WATCH: How funders can advance DEI in journalism

How can news leaders and funders work together to advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the journalism industry? In this MIF Member Briefing organized in partnership with the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), Inasmuch Foundation, The Joyce Foundation and the Pivot Fund, INN shared key findings from its latest DEI Index Report, which draws on […]

WATCH: Catalyzing local philanthropy for local news

This member briefing was organized in partnership with the American Journalism Project and the Lumina Foundation. All members and supporters of Media Impact Funders have the opportunity to initiate and produce issue-related programming for their peers. Learn more about member briefings. Across the country, community-based philanthropic organizations are tapping into the promise of local news, recognizing it as […]

Observations from ONA23

It was great to welcome Media Impact Funders members to our annual networking event at the Online News Association conference last week, here in Philadelphia. We always enjoy seeing colleagues who support journalism and greatly appreciate the hospitality of our friends at ONA. It was touching to hear from the organization’s new executive director, LaSharah S. Bunting, who […]