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.
The 2023 Media Impact Forum: Stories of Community
The 2023 Media Impact Forum: Stories of Community served as an important reminder of the robust network of funders, storytellers, journalists, and others who understand the importance of media for healthy communities. Held at KQED headquarters in San Francisco, the Media Impact Forum focused on uplifting voices from the news outlets and media organizations that […]
WATCH: How to leverage philanthropic capital to transform the media landscape
This members briefing was organized in partnership with New Media Ventures and co-sponsored with Philanthropy New York. All members and supporters of Media Impact Funders have the opportunity to initiate and produce issue-related programming for their peers. Learn more about member briefings. This week, experts from industry leaders New Media Ventures and Accelerate Change joined […]
Watch JFunders 22: The annual gathering of journalism funders
The power of community was on full display last week at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, where MIF hosted JFunders22, the annual gathering of journalism funders. This network, which has not gathered in person since 2019, celebrated 20 years of journalism funders in community and connection. At the start of our two-day gathering, attendees […]
The 2022 Media Impact Forum: Stories for Justice
The 2022 Media Impact Forum: Stories for Justice, held at the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C., showcased media and dialogue about the ways in which funders can support storytelling as a powerful lever in the fight for equal justice. Below, you’ll find recordings of each session, links to resources, and transcripts for each session […]
Looking forward prompts us to look back: Reflections from our 2019 Media Impact Forum
As we prepare for our first in-person gathering since the pandemic began, the Media Impact Forum at the National Geographic Society on June 1, we have been thinking back to the last time we got together in person for our Forum—titled Radio Active Culture—in May 2019, at the American Philosophical Society, here in Philadelphia. In […]
WATCH: Here’s how Color Congress is building a more inclusive documentary film ecosystem
We didn’t get to have our annual funder meeting at Sundance, but we were eager to make space for our film funders to connect with each other and build in time to reflect on the film festival as a group. We also learned about a new field-building organization called the Color Congress. The organization, seeded […]
WATCH: How funders can use data maps to inform funding decisions
In partnership with Candid (formerly Foundation Center and GuideStar)—which provides data-driven tools, educational resources and trainings, analyses, and more to the philanthropic sector—MIF offered a workshop to help funders learn how to use data maps to inform funding priorities and strategic decision-making. These maps are free, interactive tools that show the full scope of philanthropically-funded […]
WATCH: “Philly DA” offers a compelling close-up of criminal justice reform
Earlier this month, Philadelphia’s reform-oriented District Attorney Larry Krasner cruised to a landslide victory in his bid for re-election, consolidating power behind his efforts to remake the criminal justice system in Pennsylvania’s largest city. For anyone interested in understanding how Krasner was able to gain that position and wield the power of that office, we […]
Member spotlight: Wyncote Foundation
The Wyncote Foundation, based in Philadelphia, was founded in 2009 with funds from the Otto and Phoebe Haas Charitable Trusts, at the direction of John C. Haas. A place-based funder, Wyncote is a strong player in the field of media philanthropy and believes deeply in supporting local communities by lifting up the stories and voices […]
WATCH: How funders are supporting media to foster community narratives
A new report from the Wyncote Foundation that profiles eight place-based organizations that use media for cultural expression served as the backdrop for this important discussion highlighting how funders can celebrate “place.” Grantmakers, policymakers and advocates seeking to build support for local public interest media rightly focus on the essential role of journalism that equips […]
WATCH: Bold efforts to promote vaccine access & confidence
According to latest numbers, 1 in 4 Americans don’t want the COVID-19 vaccine. Whether due to hesitancy, fear, mistrust or politicization, it’s clear that we’re not out of the woods yet. In this webinar—the third discussion MIF has hosted about addressing vaccine hesitancy—we heard from philanthropic leaders on the various ways they are supporting media […]