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Journalism’s Threatened Role in Our Democracy

Catherine Devine (Rita Allen Foundation Civic Science Fellow 2024-25) shares reflections from the 2024 JFunders annual meeting in San Francisco: My first encounter with journalism was with my town’s Hometown Weekly—a modest paper that covered everything from local elections to dance recitals, graduations to high school football games. It was only recently, at the JFunders annual […]

Safeguarding Journalism & Media Meeting Notes

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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 […]

MIF Member Spotlight: The Schmidt Family Foundation

Since 2006, the Schmidt Family Foundation, established by Eric and Wendy Schmidt, has been at the forefront of supporting climate change communication initiatives. Wendy Schmidt, with her background in journalism, recognized the critical role of clear and accurate information in driving meaningful action. One of the Foundation’s key priorities has been to bridge the gap […]

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 […]

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 […]

MIF welcomes new leadership to its Board of Directors

We’re thrilled to announce exciting leadership changes to the Media Impact Funders Board of Directors! Kayce Ataiyero, Chief External Affairs Officer at the Joyce Foundation, brings her expertise in journalism funding to the role of Chair, while Kaitlin Yarnall, Chief Storytelling Officer at National Geographic Society, steps up as Vice Chair. Kayce joined the Board […]

“No One Asked You” is the abortion story we need now more than ever

Earlier this month, I went to see a great documentary at DOCNYC about “Daily Show” co-creator Lizz Winstead’s organization, Abortion Access Front. The film, “No One Asked You,” by Ruth Leitman, was funny, full of joy and love, and captured what most of media has missed during this chaotic unraveling of abortion protections in the […]

MIF receives three-year, $300,000 grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

Media Impact Funders has received a three-year, $300,000 general-operating grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, one of the largest philanthropic institutions in the U.S.

Member Spotlight: Outrider Foundation

For most of us, the notion of nuclear threat is impossibly abstract—even as Russia continues to threaten nuclear action against Ukraine and allied NATO countries. It’s not something people generally want to talk about.

The powerful intersection of documentary and journalism at the local level

As a photojournalist on staff at the Detroit Free Press, Kimberly P. Mitchell was used to doing “quick turn” stories – snapping photos and short videos that encouraged engagement on the Gannett paper’s website and social media.