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About Media Impact Funders Media Impact Funders (MIF) is a network of grantmakers strengthening media in the public interest through convenings, research and a highly collaborative community. We work across silos to bring together funders from a broad range of issue areas, program sizes, and levels of experience, to expand the resources, reach, and resilience of our information ecosystem. MIF helps funders learn from one another, discover aligned opportunities, and invest in media that informs, engages and inspires. As we collectively confront a rapidly changing media landscape being reshaped by artificial intelligence, political division, and the collapse of traditional business models, it is more important than ever to harness our combined strength—acting with clarity, purpose, and resolve. Fellowship Overview MIF is seeking a Civic Science Fellow with expertise in communications, the behavioral sciences, and information technology and AI to help grantmakers better understand how audiences now receive, process and trust information—particularly information relating to science and health. The fellow will also translate such understanding into stronger philanthropic strategy. This is an 18-month, full-time remote work fellowship, beginning in September 2026, hosted at MIF and supported by the Rita Allen Foundation and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. Throughout the Fellowship term, the… Read More

On June 22, MIF partnered with Press Forward for a Funder Briefing exploring their new white paper by Caroline Ross, “Catalytic Capital for Local News: Unlocking New Capital to Strengthen Civic Infrastructure.” Members can revisit the program in our Resource Library. Based on the presentation and questions asked during the call, we have compiled a quick list of further reading and associated efforts that we are tracking across the public service media sector. If you have something to add to this list, questions, or are interested in continuing this conversation with other members please email shannon@mediafunders.org. Quick Start – Definitions & FAQs (5-15 min reads) Impact Investing Key Terms: This glossary from the Appalachia Funders Network includes digestible definitions on the key terms that often arise when discussing catalytic capital. Frequently Asked Questions About Catalytic Capital: Published by The Catalytic Capital Consortium (C3), this FAQ covers the basic functions of catalytic capital, appropriate uses, how it relates to other kinds of impact investing and its relationship to philanthropy and traditional grantmaking. Catalytic Capital for Local News: A Guide for Funders: In this introductory guide, Press Forward offers a primer on catalytic capital—what it is,… Read More

At the Media Impact Forum last month, attendees had several opportunities to roll up their sleeves and discuss not only challenges in funding public interest media but the tools, research and frameworks that would move our field forward. We promised that the Forum was only the beginning of a conversation, and today we’re announcing the first round of Learning Initiatives we’re building based on these discussions feedback. These Initiatives are designed to be time-bound and outcomes-based collaborations for members to work together on specific topics and themes, providing opportunities for our members to build tools, collaborate on strategies as well as identify new opportunities for funding and co-funding. Our first two initiatives are open to all members, including those with more experience in these areas and those considering some of these conversations for the first time. They will start meeting later this summer by Zoom and will finish their work by December. At the conclusion, MIF will be sharing outcomes and conclusions with the entire community later this fall. New Tech & Platforms: How do funders help support and build new platforms and distribution tools, particularly in the age of AI? This group will explore approaches and best practices for funders… Read More