Resource Library
Funders are making decisions in a rapidly changing media landscape that’s increasingly fragmented and difficult to navigate. The MIF resource library exists to make sense of that complexity—with research, tools, frameworks, videos and more to help you think through how to do your work more effectively.
Start with a Learning Pillar Hub—four issue areas that reflect the most pressing strategic questions shaping the media ecosystem today—or browse the full library by topic, format, or focus area.
Members get exclusive access to resources such as tip sheets and network call recordings to stay up to date on the latest trends and strategies in media funding.
Learning Pillar Hubs
MIF’s work is organized around a set of thematic pillars that reflect the core challenges and opportunities facing media funders today. Each of these learning hubs brings together resources related to each pillar, making it easier to stay oriented over time. These hubs are updated continuously as new work, insights and conversations emerge.
Future of Public Media
Supporting funders working to strengthen public media as a trusted, resilient civic institution. This includes questions of sustainability, governance, innovation and public service in a rapidly evolving media environment.
Platforms & Audience Reach
Helping funders understand how platforms, algorithms and distribution systems shape who sees and trusts information, and what it takes for public-interest media to reach and engage audiences today.
Effective Philanthropic Practice
Advancing shared learning about best practices in funding media effectively.
Safeguarding Media & Journalism
Addressing the threats facing independent media and journalism, including political pressure, legal risk, safety concerns and challenges to press freedom, integrity and trust.
Resource Library
Members Only
A Field-Level View of Local Journalism Infrastructure: In Conversation with Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro
Presentation and Q&A with researcher and author of the new report: "Rebuilding Journalism at Scale"
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Local Journalism
A Guide to Assessing Your Local News Ecosystem
Step-by-step toolkit for funding news in your community
Source:
Democracy Fund
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Local Journalism
Engaged Journalism
Research & case studies on the practice of “engaged journalism”
Source:
Impact Architects
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • International Journalism • Local Journalism
Funding the News: Foundations and Nonprofit Media
Landmark report on philanthropy in news
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Local Journalism
Guidance on Philanthropic Funding of Media and News
Ethics guidance for new funders
Source:
American Press Institute
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Local Journalism
How Funding Local News Ecosystems Helps American Communities Thrive
Learnings from five years of strategic regional local news funding
Source:
Democracy Fund
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Local Journalism
How We Know Journalism is Good For Democracy
Findings that support impact of local news on democracy
Source:
Democracy Fund
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Democracy/Free Expression • Local Journalism
Impact Assessment for Nonprofit News Projects and their Funders
How-To Guide for Developing Assessment Strategies
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation
Journalism and Media Grantmaking: Five Things You Need to Know and Five Ways to Get Started
The beginner’s guide to media grantmaking
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation • Local Journalism
Journalism Grantmaking: New Funding, Models and Partnerships to Sustain and Grow the Field
Ten years of media philanthropy, 2009-2019
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation • Local Journalism
Journalism Trust Kits
Ways to tackle journalism’s trust problem
Source:
Trusting News
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • International Journalism • Local Journalism • Misinformation/Disinformation
Measuring the Impact of Science Journalism
A report to help funders assess science journalism grantmaking
Source:
USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Environment/Climate • Misinformation/Disinformation
Members Only
Media Grantmaking: Where to Start
MIF's recommended resources for new media funders
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation
Members Only
Navigating Legal Boundaries in Media Support & Advocacy
In today’s shifting legal and policy landscape, funders and practitioners face complex questions about what is—and isn’t—permissible when supporting media and journalism. This meeting offered practical guidance across two key areas: Initiatives related to diversity, equity and inclusion: What types of funding are permissible in light of recent…
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Safety & Security
Pew-Knight Initiative Media Habits
Ongoing audience research on civic information & local news
Source:
Pew Research Center
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Media Access & Policy • Platforms & Audience
Rebuilding Local Journalism at Scale: A Field-Level Analysis of Infrastructure Needs
An analysis of infrastructure challenges across local journalism
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Local Journalism
Recommended Safety Organizations & Resources
MIF created this tool for funders seeking to expand their journalist and filmmaker safety and press freedom strategies, as well as their grantee resources. The database is comprised of organizations, resources, tools, and emergency funding opportunities sourced from MIF members, colleagues and leading safety and security practitioners—though it is not…
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Democracy/Free Expression • Immigration • Safety & Security
Six Ways to Shift Your Philanthropic Mindset
In a session from the 2023 Journalism Funders Gathering, Crystal Hayling, former executive director of the Libra Foundation, shares six ways to shift your philanthropic mindset to meet the past and be an active force in bending history’s arc toward justice.
Source:
Crystal Hayling
Democracy/Free Expression • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Justice
State of Local News 2025
Annual report of the latest data and trends in local news across the country
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Local Journalism • Media Access & Policy
The Pivotal Role of Grantmakers in Supporting Successful Mergers & Acquisitions Among Nonprofit Media Organizations
The do’s and don’ts of supporting successful integrations between nonprofit media organizations
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Platforms & Audience
This Is Local News Now
A report on rethinking local news stakeholders
Source:
Press Forward
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Local Journalism
Words that Work
A toolkit to help funders talk about local news
Source:
Press Forward
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Local Journalism