Join us for a funder gathering at ONA23

Are you heading to ONA in August? MIF and the Lenfest Institute for Journalism are hosting an informal funder-only gathering from 3:30-5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24, for funders who are attending ONA23, the Online News Association’s annual conference. The gathering will take place in the Lenfest Lounge on the fourth floor conference area of the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown (the conference hotel).

Funders will have the opportunity to catch up, network, and hear a few short funder and media maker presentations by:

• Jennifer Preston, MIF consultant and former VP of Journalism at the Knight Foundation, will share initial findings from the first comprehensive survey of funders and news organizations since 2015 about the role of philanthropy in journalism. MIF is working with the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago, in partnership with the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, to better understand how philanthropy is shaping the future of journalism and filling critical gaps in local news in cities, towns and rural areas across the country.
• Allison Taylor Levine, Vice President for Marketing and Communications at the Delaware Community Foundation and President and Founder of the Local Journalism Initiative, will talk about Spotlight Delaware, a collaborative newsroom that will cover the impact of public policy on Delaware communities. Spotlight Delaware is funded by the Longwood Foundation, the Delaware Community Foundation, Independence Public Media Foundation, and others.

Snacks and refreshments will be served. We hope to see you in Philadelphia!