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

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is facing a potentially disastrous cut of federal funding in the wake of a Senate hearing last week on a White House proposal to make rescissions to federal spending for foreign aid and public broadcasting. The proposal would cut $1.1 billion in spending for CPB over the next two fiscal years, wiping out the federal support of public radio and television, long sought by conservative critics of public broadcasting. These rescissions are part of a larger piece of legislation aimed at cutting a total of $9.4 billion, mostly devoted to foreign aid focused on global public health, international disaster relief and alleviating hunger. A favorable vote by the full Senate is required by July 18 or the proposed spending reductions will fail to be enacted. At the same time, one of the most powerful and prominent voices in public broadcasting fell silent last week when Bill Moyers passed away at the age of 91. Moyers had been present at the creation in the Johnson Administration, in the role of Press Secretary and one of Johnson’s closest advisors, as American public media policy was being crafted. And he spent many… Read More

Throughout the first half of this year, Media Impact Funders and our members have focused a tremendous amount of our attention to the myriad ways in which media and journalism are contending with challenges from the new administration. And so it made sense for us to devote our annual Media Impact Forum this year to the subject of Safeguarding Media and Journalism. And nowhere better to do this than the National Constitution Center, here in Philadelphia, at a moment when we are seeing increasing attacks on press freedom and attempts to cut federal funding for public media. It was great to return to the National Constitution Center, where we held our first Media Impact Forum way back in 2012. We always appreciate the warm welcome we receive from the NCC staff and reflect upon the values it represents, especially the prominent place of the First Amendment among all elements of the Constitution. Right from the opening of our program, we heard a powerful call to action from Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Maria Ressa, author of the best-selling book “How To Stand Up To A Dictator” and subject of the award winning… Read More

The media landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. Influencers aren’t just trendsetters anymore; they’re newsmakers who are reshaping how we consume and interpret information. With nearly 40% of young adults turning to influencers to make sense of current events, the lines between journalism, commentary, and influencer are blurring. How news is consumed and how stories are told represents a fundamental shift that is challenging the philanthropic community to confront a critical question: How can we ensure a future with truth-telling and a shared understanding of the world? Our 2025 Media Impact Forum addressed these dynamics and the implications of how audiences consume content on journalism, truth, and democracy. During our daylong showcase, we showcased the research, storytellers and projects that are redefining the way audiences engage with news and media. Below, you’ll find recordings of each session in chronological order so that you can watch any portion of the day. Bridging Impact: Nonprofits, Creators, and the Future of Digital Engagement Ashwath Narayanan, CEO of Social Currant, examines how nonprofits can harness the power of creator partnerships to reach and engage diverse audiences. This session spotlights actionable strategies and insights into navigating the rapidly evolving social… 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

 It’s hard to imagine turning a story of unspeakable childhood trauma into a film that can make you laugh and fill you with hope. But that’s exactly what writer, performer and filmmaker Gerad Argeros did with “Fox Chase Boy,” a short documentary based on his one-man show in which he confronts his trauma of being sexually abused as a child. In the early ’80s, when Gerad was 10 years old and served as an altar boy at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in the Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood of Fox Chase, he was sexually abused by The Rev. James Brzyski—one of the Philadelphia Archdiocese’s most brutal abusers, according to a 2005 grand jury report. Gerad stayed silent about his abuse for decades until the tragic deaths of two childhood friends, also victims of Brzyski’s, and the death of Brzyski (who evaded prosecution and died as a free man) moved him to speak out publicly. In 2017, he broke his… 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

We’re just back from our annual trip to the Sundance Film Festival, and we have so many insights and ideas to share.   One insight in particular is worth calling out: the concept of narrative oceans, a framework developed by the Pop Culture Collaborative for understanding and influencing how stories shape our society. Narrative oceans serve as a powerful metaphor to describe the vast and interconnected web of stories, images, and narratives that shape our understanding of the world.  But “the hard truth is that large swaths of the narrative ‘ocean’ in which we currently swim are toxic — poisoned with terrible ideas about who we are, who belongs, and who does not,” writes Pop Culture Collaborative CEO Bridgit Antoinette Evans. “My question to you: In this toxic environment, what becomes of our imaginations? Our willingness to believe, to fight, to build something new? And if this generative superpower is destroyed, how can we possibly see the future that could exist beyond this messy, brutal chapter in America’s story?”  Right now, American democracy is at its most vulnerable because of the glaring, entrenched inequalities in our society. We have come to be defined… Read More

For more than 40 years, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), has been at the forefront of defending journalists around the globe, ensuring they can report the truth safely and without fear of persecution. As attacks on the press continue to escalate—both internationally and here in the United States—journalists face mounting threats, including online harassment, physical violence, and legal and regulatory challenges. In this Q&A, we sit down with Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists, to explore the organization’s insights on the state of press freedom, the critical role of funding in supporting independent journalism, and the unique threats posed by a shifting political landscape in the U.S. and abroad. CPJ, which joined as a member of MIF in 2024, has also recently announced the Climate Crisis Journalist Protection Initiative, a $1 million effort to provide climate journalists with assistance, safety training, and other forms of support. This conversation comes at a pivotal moment, as the world grapples with the growing weaponization of distrust against the press and an urgent need to bolster the safety and resilience of journalists everywhere. Nina Sachdev, Director of Communications, Media Impact Funders: CPJ is an intermediary, and I think… Read More

For our final newsletter of the year, I’ve asked my colleagues what kinds of media they’re into right now. The choices are endless these days, and I just need to know that there’s more to life than “Cobra Kai.” (I hope you all remember that this was the #1 streaming show during COVID lockdowns. And that’s all I’ll say about that.) As for me, I’m reading a captivating mystery by one of my favorite Philly-based authors, Liz Moore. “The God of the Woods,” which made NPR’s list of best books of 2024, follows the disappearance of a child from summer camp. As the search for her continues, a web of long-buried secrets and dark family histories unravels. If you like mystery and you have ties to Philly (or even if you don’t), you’ll love Moore’s “Long Bright River,” about two estranged sisters living in Kensington, a neighborhood ravaged by the opioid crisis. Even if you hate Philly, just remember: No one likes us; we don’t care. I’m also not even remotely embarrassed to admit that I’m watching a “Drunk History”-esque HBO series called “It’s Florida, Man,” which is the most delightful comedic dramatization of actual… Read More

We recently hosted an online meeting about how funders can advance accessibility in media and film. Throughout the planning process, our team learned a lot about what it takes to produce a virtual event that is inclusive and accessible to all participants. Dig into the steps we took below—we hope this will serve as a blueprint for you when planning virtual events that foster meaningful engagement in the future. Costs: Excluding staff time and honoraria for speakers from non-member, non-grantmaking organizations, the costs for this session was $400. CART Services – $180.00 per hour of service ASL Interpretation – $140.00 per hour of service Pre-Production Ensuring Disability Representation: We prioritized disability representation among panelists to ensure diverse perspectives and lived experiences informed the session. Timeline For most of our programs, we typically follow a 4–8 week timeline for organizing an online session. However, for this program, we chose to postpone it several times to ensure we had the necessary time and space to execute it thoughtfully. Following best practices, we prioritized a deliberate pace of four months to ensure all elements were properly addressed, no one felt rushed, and both panelists and attendees had ample time to understand and prepare… Read More