Our members include some of the largest foundations in media funding, local and regional foundations, and individual donors and high-net worth individuals.

In just four years, The Carmack Collective has established itself as one of the boldest philanthropic actors in the climate space. To support movement building and cultural change, Carmack invests in a range of media activities, from investigative journalism to comedy, animation, and gaming. Throughout this work, they remain committed to trust-based philanthropy and a belief in the power of storytelling to challenge assumptions about fossil fuel and climate change. In this Member Spotlight Q&A, Carmack’s Founder and Executive Director Jessie Bluedorn and Director Ricky Benavidez share how Carmack is countering industry disinformation, rethinking philanthropy’s role in narrative change, and building a pipeline of creative projects designed to shift culture at scale. Nina Sachdev: I don’t think we can talk about Carmack’s mission of combatting and dismantling the fossil fuel industry without talking about the persistent narratives that the industry uses to maintain its power. Fossil fuel companies have invested heavily in shaping public perception for decades. How is Carmack thinking about countering them through media and storytelling? Jessie Bluedorn: One of the most prolific and harmful false narratives is that fossil fuels are essential and therefore good. For example, we see this narrative pushed by industry via numerous TV ads depicting a… Read More

Chaos and confusion; that about sums up the current U.S. political environment, right? “I think that’s the strategy,” Chicken & Egg Films CEO Jenni Wolfson says. “To unmoor us all.” A longtime MIF member, Chicken & Egg Films is our member spotlight this month. To celebrate their 20th anniversary and their work to support women and gender-expansive documentary filmmakers worldwide, we headed over to their offices to talk to Jenni in person. Reflecting on the current political environment here in the U.S., Jenni shared how Chicken & Egg Films is adapting its strategies to protect and empower filmmakers whose identities and stories are often at the center of ongoing attacks. Operating as a vital intermediary funder, Chicken & Egg is both raising and regranting funds to support, as Jenni says, the storytellers who “represent the world that we live in.” More than just financial aid though, the organization provides crucial mentorship and industry access, enabling filmmakers to craft powerful narratives that remind us of our shared humanity. That reminder is why, despite the chaos and confusion, “Chicken & Egg Films, first and foremost, is staying steady.” Here, Jenni discusses the shifting landscape for both filmmakers and funders,… Read More

Canada’s media landscape includes a unique force for change: the Inspirit Foundation. Not only is Inspirit one of the most active funders in Canada’s journalism and narrative sphere (and the sole Canadian member of Media Impact Funders), it also stands alone with a 100% impact-invested portfolio, all driven by a singular mission: to shift narrative power.  In addition to its grantmaking, Inspirit has dedicated significant time and energy to advocating for increased philanthropic investment in journalism. Recognizing the gap between expressed interest from their funding peers and actual dollars flowing into the sector, Inspirit is actively working to make the case to other Canadian foundations to support media and journalism. That work eventually led to a practical guide, “Funding Journalism: A Guide for Canadian Philanthropy,” which underscores Inspirit’s commitment to bridging the divide between intention and action. Here, I sit down with Inspirit Foundation CEO Sadia Zaman to talk about the work to catalyze philanthropy, reimagine new narratives for Muslims, and the impact of the Online News Act on Canadian journalism.  Nina Sachdev, Director of Communications, Media Impact Funders: When and why… Read More