New Research Spotlight
Philanthropy’s growing role in American journalism: A new study reveals increased funding and ethical considerations
A new study conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago in partnership with Media Impact Funders and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism that examines the role of philanthropy in American journalism found strong growth in support for nonprofit news over the past five years, an increase in funding to for-profit newsrooms, and a growing focus on communities of color.
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Philanthropy’s growing role in American journalism: A new study reveals increased funding and ethical considerations
Our Events The Media Impact Forum

Our annual gathering brings funders from across the country together with media makers and analysts to share insights about the field’s most influential projects and trends.

Media Impact Funders has been hosting the Media Impact Forum since 2013.

Each year, we come together for a day of inspiring media presentations and dialogue, and the chance to network with peers to deepen learning and spark collaboration.

The 2022 Media Impact Forum

Watch all the sessions from the 2022 Media Impact Forum: Stories for Justice.

Watch the 2022 Media Impact Forum

The 2021 Media Impact Forum

Our 2021 Media Impact Forum will focus on evidence-based communications on science, health and the environment.  We hope you’ll join us for our annual gathering of funders who support media in the public interest.  It’ll look a bit different, of course: We’ll host one online discussion on the third Wednesday of every month from February to june.  We hope this pace of programming works for you and doesn’t add to your Zoom fatigue.  We see this series of conversations focusing on evidence-based communications as a chance for you to come together with your peers, deepen learning, and help strengthen our funding community for the work that lies ahead.

Watch the 2021 Media Impact Forum

 

The 2020 Media Impact Forum

Our 2020 Media Impact Forum focusing on philanthropy, media and the environment has come to a close, but the work is far from over. Funders recognize the need for more and better news coverage of climate change, but greater philanthropic support for media and journalism that addresses environmental and public health issues is critical at this time. This year’s Forum took place over six online sessions, which covered climate activism, the intersection of racial and environmental justice, collaborative reporting models, and much more.

Watch the 2020 Media Impact Forum

 

The 2019 Media Impact Forum

Off the Walls: How Art Museums Are Reaching People Where They Are Valerie Gay, Deputy Director, Audience Engagement & Chief Experience Officer, Barnes Foundation (red top) Barbara Wong, Director, Community Engagement, Barnes Foundation (straight black hair) Kalela Williams, Director of Neighborhood Library Enrichment, Free Library of Philadelphia (short sleeve top) Cultural organizations are increasingly relying upon film and digital media to strengthen their programming onsite and to reach a broader audience online and in their communities. Innovative figures at museums and other arts organizations are leading the way, with significant support from philanthropy. And more and more arts and culture organizations are using these tools and resources to spark civic engagement, beyond traditional educational and aesthetic functions of their organizations. Among media forms and formats, radio is seeing a resurgence in reach and impact, driven in part by the explosion of interest in podcasts and other streaming media experiences. Taken together, this year's Media Impact Forum will explore the intersection between the arts, culture and media, and will focus on the impact of creative expression through media. In particular, we'll take a close look at the connection between radio and community, and how this format continues to promote civic dialogue to the broadest audiences possible. for Media Impact Funders The American Philosophical Society May 23, 2019

The 2019 Media Impact Forum paid special attention to the role of radio and audio in creating and sustaining crucial connections with communities. Radio might be one of our oldest platforms, but in terms of reach and and impact, it is also one of the most innovative—and philanthropy is playing a vital role in its resurgence. Grantmakers and the cultural organizations they fund are investing in audio and media across traditional broadcasting, podcasting, and on-site properties in order to foster greater context, reach, and conversation with constituencies.

Watch the 2019 Media Impact Forum

Learn more about our previous Media Impact Forums here.

Upcoming events

As an event-driven organization, we’re constantly bringing changemakers together, whether in-person or online, to make strategic connections with like-minded professionals. Browse through our upcoming events.

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2023 Online News Association Conference (ONA23) – Online Edition

Experience the online edition of #ONA23. The 2023 Online News Association Conference gathers the world’s most engaging minds in digital media for an unparalleled blend of learning, networking and inspiration. Dozens of workshops and interactive panels deliver best practices and the latest trends in five areas: Audience development and metrics Emerging technology Innovative news storytelling Leadership […]

September 28, 2023

2023 New Mexico Local News Summit

Join the New Mexico Local News Fund for the first New Mexico Local News Summit, bringing together news publishers, journalists, funders, policy-makers, educators, and more interested parties to discuss ways to strengthen the news ecosystem and support democracy. Come prepared to listen, think, contribute, interact and connect with other attendees as we consider ways to […]

September 29, 2023

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Become a member

Join our growing network of funders who care about effective use of media.
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Our story

Media Impact Funders—formerly Grantmakers in Film, Video & Television—began on a volunteer basis in 1984 as an affinity group for funders interested in the power of film to highlight social issues.
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The field of media funding

Funders, media makers and nonprofits are working together to unleash the power of media to move the needle on important social issues.
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