Stay up-to-date on the latest news, trends and perspectives in media and philanthropy.

Published in partnership with Media Impact Funders, Global Press has released new findings about U.S. audience demand for international journalism, and provides actional recommendations for funders supporting public interest media around the world. “Unlocking U.S. Audience Demand for International News,” a study of 1,200 U.S.-based adults who are regular online news readers, establishes that there is a deep reservoir of untapped demand from readers in the United States for international journalism that is local, precise, and representative. These potential news consumers exist across a wide range of demographics. The study found that large segments of the U.S. audience want stories that are written by local reporters from their own communities rather than by journalists sent from abroad. It also demonstrated a fatigue with the pervasive and generic negative narratives about disaster and conflict. Instead, it proves that readers value reporting that is dignified, precise, and avoids stereotypes common in international journalism. This study leaves no doubt that U.S.-based readers are in favor of upending stereotypical global narratives in favor of those with solutions and context. “For too long publishers have made the assumption that there is little demand for… Read More

Since 2020, Perspective Fund has been gathering current and recent grantees whose work serves as the backbone of the documentary impact field. These grantees, all focused on strengthening and innovating different aspects of the documentary impact ecosystem, participated in these gatherings not only to build community but to participate in a two-way channel of conversation about what Perspective Fund (and funders like them) can do to elevate their support “beyond the check.”  This content was originally meant to be shared during an MIF Member Briefing, but has since been adapted into a transcribed conversation between Denae Peters, Program Officer at Perspective Fund, Daniel Forkkio, CEO of Represent Justice, and Shaady Salehi, Executive Director of the Trust-based Philanthropy Project. Here, they share some of the most meaningful takeaways from this fruitful and galvanizing discourse, including ways for funders who want to elevate trust-building with their grantees; the realities of restricted grants; the importance of capacity-building; and more. (Click here for a brief summary of these convenings.)  Read More

To support the work of media organizations and journalists regarding the war in Ukraine, the Global Forum for Media Development has curated an extensive list of organizations providing emergency funding, available for journalists and media as well as crisis and emergency resources. In addition, GFMD is hosting information-sharing meetings; advising donors on how and where their emergency funding can be best allocated; mapping out a list of organizations’ needs, capacities and competencies; translating funding opportunities and resources into Ukrainian for Ukrainian media/journalists; and has established a line of communication with Internews Ukraine, which is leading a national coordination of 15 organizations in UA. Funders looking for more information or who want to attend future meetings to stay informed of the latest updates should email GFMD International Partnerships Manager Biba Klomp at bklomp@gfmd.info. Emergency/crisis funding  More specifically, we have collated a list of emergency funding for organisations working in Ukraine and the wider region on the GFMD MediaDev Fundraising Guide: in English and in Ukrainian. In the first week over 24 emergency fundings were added to the list which is updated every day. Check out Freedom House, which provides assistance to… Read More

MIF is hosting network calls regularly throughout the year for funders who currently support or who are interested in supporting journalism. These conversations are meant to serve as an opportunity for you to share what your organization is doing, learn about collaborative efforts from your peers, and stay connected to what’s happening in the field. Read More

A new report commissioned by the Wyncote Foundation, "Culture, Heritage, and Place: How Media Amplifies Community Narratives," profiles eight place-based organizations that use media for cultural expression and connection, with local funding support. Read More

In recent weeks, it seems like America has arrived at a crucial crossroads in its long and painful history of gun violence. In the wake of several high-profile mass shootings in Atlanta, in Boulder, Colo., and most recently, in Indianapolis, Ind., there is a growing sense of outrage and demand for solutions. And in Washington, for the first time in several years, political leadership in Congress and the White House is aligned in seeking to create new laws to rein in the worst aspects of American gun violence. So there is a glimmer of hope that Washington might make some progress on an issue that has been gridlocked for many years. Read More

Thanks for your interest in sponsoring MIF’s events. Your support helps us serve our growing network of funders who care about effective use of media, and the programs we create to serve them. Demonstrate your commitment to media in the public interest by supporting our efforts to catalyze innovation at the intersection of media and philanthropy. Download our 2021 sponsorship packet Ready to secure your sponsorship or need more info? Contact Courtney Eshleman , MIF’s Director of Development & Member Engagement, at courtney@mediafunders.org.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has awarded Media Impact Funders (MIF)—a member-supported network of funders who support media in the public interest—a $200,000 grant to grow the network of journalism and media funders with events and network-building opportunities. Read More

Media Impact Funders (MIF)—which advances and catalyzes the work of a diverse range of funders committed to media that informs, engages and inspires—has received a three-year, $300,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to advance the goals of its Journalism Funders Network. A diverse group of philanthropy organizations working in journalism and media, the Journalism Funders Network works to increase—and improve the efficiency of—philanthropic investments in media in the United States through convenings, reports and other field-building work. Read More

Media Impact Funders (MIF)—which advances and catalyzes the work of a diverse range of funders committed to media that informs, engages and inspires—has received a two-year $150,000 grant from the Rita Allen Foundation to expand the knowledge and capacity of funders supporting evidence-based communication. Read More

Media Impact Funders is tracking funding resources specific to COVID-19. This resource references funding opportunities initiated by funders for inspiration to other funders, as well as potential collaboration opportunities between funders. We’ll keep adding to this spreadsheet as more resources become available. Email us at info@mediafunders.org if you know of a collaboration, initiative, fund or response that should be added here. See the List of COVID-19 Funding Resources You’ll also find details about the online discussions we’ve organized for funders to share their response to COVID-19. Funders, if you missed any of these conversations and would like the notes, please email roshni@mediafunders.org. March 25 – Supporting journalists during the COVID-19 pandemic With the rapidly changing situation with COVID-19, journalists are on the frontlines reporting on what citizens need to know to be safe. As such, we hosted a funder-only virtual discussion on these pressing issues and more. We heard from two journalists about the challenges and experiences newsrooms are facing, and how funders can support them during this crisis. We also heard about a new partnership between the Facebook Journalism Project and the Lenfest Institute for Journalism about… Read More