Here’s how 25 of the top journalism funders are funding journalism

In combination with our Snapshot of Global Journalism Funding report—which presents a targeted snapshot of the state of global journalism funding today and is based on a survey of media funders and conversations with funders and journalists—Dot Connector Studio, on behalf of Media Impact Funders, conducted additional research on how 25 of the top journalism funders are funding journalism around the world. We investigated the landscape of global media and journalism funding by exploring trends in recent top funder giving, and how funding is distributed in key geographical areas. This preliminary data shows us that journalism funding is a growing field, with prospects for further growth. Large journalism funders continue to concentrate efforts in North America, but funding in Europe and Africa remains a small but consistent percentage. In general, journalism funding is a small percentage of foundations’ overall giving, but media more generally makes up a larger slice. As definitions around “journalism” and “media” evolve and our world becomes increasingly digital, it’s likely that these percentages will shift. A note on terminology: For the purposes of this report, we use the taxonomy in Media Impact Funders’ grants data map, Foundation Maps for Media Funding, to define “journalism” and… Read More

Published in partnership with Media Impact Funders, Global Press has released new findings about U.S. audience demand for international journalism, and provides actional recommendations for funders supporting public interest media around the world. “Unlocking U.S. Audience Demand for International News,” a study of 1,200 U.S.-based adults who are regular online news readers, establishes that there is a deep reservoir of untapped demand from readers in the United States for international journalism that is local, precise, and representative. These potential news consumers exist across a wide range of demographics. The study found that large segments of the U.S. audience want stories that are written by local reporters from their own communities rather than by journalists sent from abroad. It also demonstrated a fatigue with the pervasive and generic negative narratives about disaster and conflict. Instead, it proves that readers value reporting that is dignified, precise, and avoids stereotypes common in international journalism. This study leaves no doubt that U.S.-based readers are in favor of upending stereotypical global narratives in favor of those with solutions and context. “For too long publishers have made the assumption that there is little demand for… Read More

After seven years of tracking the field of media impact assessment, we're pleased to announce the release of our latest report, Decoding Media Impact: Insights, Advice & Recommendations, which provides an examination of the current state of the field. Read More

The global media funding ecosystem has evolved dramatically over the last 20 years, largely in response to tectonic shifts in how people around the world consume, produce and share information. Revolutions in information and communication technologies have enabled the rise of new platforms that are competing with legacy media and threatening the business models of established media institutions. Around the globe, philanthropy plays a crucial role in supporting a variety of diverse media-related initiatives, including strengthening media institutions, improving democratic processes, raising awareness and advocacy through public service radio campaigns addressing health issues, ensuring equitable access to communication technologies, and protecting freedom of expression. Read More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nina Sachdev, communications director, Media Impact Funders nina@mediafunders.org or 215-574-1322 Media Impact Funders, in Collaboration with Harvard University’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy, Publishes Report on Innovative Approaches to Journalism Funding  PHILADELPHIA, PA (JUNE 20, 2018)—Media Impact Funders, a member-supported network of funders who seek to improve society through media and technology, has partnered with Harvard University’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy to produce a case study report—Funding Journalism, Finding Innovation: Success Stories and Ideas for Creative, Sustainable Partnerships—that surfaces pioneering funding practices in journalism. As the field of journalism continues to grapple with limited resources and dwindling revenues, it’s clear that financial support is needed now more than ever. Philanthropy, in response to the radically changing landscape, is stepping up to revive quality journalism and reconfigure the news media ecosystem. And, in fact, funding for nonprofit news media has seen a notable uptick in philanthropic support, oftentimes in the form of new types of grants. “While this guide shows only a small sampling of how funders and publishers are working together to financially sustain the fourth estate, we hope that it nonetheless serves as a starting point for… Read More

As MIF’s staff packs up for next week’s Knight Media Forum, we’re pleased to share an on-point new report just out from the Wyncote Foundation: Investing in Local Journalism, Public Media, and Storytelling: Examples from Place-Based Foundations. Read More

Over the past year, we've seen a notable uptick in interest among funders about the role they can play in supporting news and community information. To meet this need, we are pleased to share a newly updated version of Journalism and Media Grantmaking: Five Things You Need to Know and Five Ways to Get Started, produced with support from the Wyncote Foundation. Read More

PARK CITY, Utah — When media funders talk about impact, what do they mean, and how do they demonstrate it? At the Sundance Film Festival, Media Impact Funders (MIF) released a new report, Funder Perspectives: Assessing Media Investments. It explores the multiple and sometimes overlapping lenses through which grantmakers view media evaluation, and confirms that there are still many unanswered questions. The report contributes to a growing dialogue about ways to quantify and qualify the impact of public interest media. Such examinations have stimulated debate among both funders and grantees. Read More

Media Impact Funders is pleased to share a benchmark new report, Growth in Foundation Support for Media in the United States, in collaboration with the Foundation Center and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The research offers a far-reaching exploration of philanthropy’s role in media funding between 2009-2011, and is part of a new taxonomy project to better track and understand trends in media-related funding nationally. Read More