Our resource library includes frameworks, research, tip sheets, case studies and more to help you think through how to do your work more effectively.
Please check back frequently as we continue to build out these materials. Is there a resource you'd like to see? Contact Shannon Thomas, Manager of Member Engagement: shannon@mediafunders.org.
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
A Snapshot of Global Journalism Funding in 2024
A report on the state of global journalism funding
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Effective Grantmaking Practice • International Journalism
Beyond the Impact Report
The most overlooked and urgent issues in social impact documentary
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation
Communications Strategies That Fast Track Policy Change
Using Media to Effect Policy Change
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Media Access & Policy
Community Foundations & Journalism: Funding Data from 2009-2019
How Community Foundations support local journalism
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation • Local Journalism
Community Foundations & Media: Funding Data from 2009-2021
How Community Foundations support local journalism
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Local Journalism
Decoding Media Impact: Insights, Advice & Recommendations
Overview of the current state of impact assessment
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation
Elev8Docs: A Documentary Marketing Initiative
Eight case studies on marketing experiments that tested different approaches to connecting audiences with films.
Source:
Color Congress
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation • Platforms & Audience
Engaged Journalism
Research & case studies on the practice of “engaged journalism”
Source:
Impact Architects
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • International Journalism • Local Journalism
Environmental Media Grantmaking: How Funders Are Tipping the Scales Toward Change
Highlighting trends in environmental grantmaking
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Environment/Climate • Impact Evaluation
Funder Perspectives: Assessing Media Investments
How Field Leaders Built Their Assessment Strategy
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation
Funding Journalism, Finding Innovation: Success Stories and Ideas for Creative, Sustainable Partnerships
Case study report on early journalism funding practices
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation • Local Journalism
Funding the News: Foundations and Nonprofit Media
Landmark report on philanthropy in news
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Local Journalism
Global Media Philanthropy: What Funders Need to Know About Data, Trends and Pressing Issues Facing the Field
MIF’s first survey of international journalism trends
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Democracy/Free Expression • Effective Grantmaking Practice • International 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
Journalism and Media Funding in Europe
Survey & key findings of journalism and media funders across Europe from 2025
Source:
Philea
Effective Grantmaking Practice • International Journalism
Journalism and Philanthropy: Growth, Diversity and Potential Conflicts of Interest
The role and influence of philanthropic funding for journalism
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
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
Meeting the Revenue Challenge – Philanthropy’s Role in Local News Growth
A look at how far along the local news field is on the road to sustainability
Source:
Wyncote Foundation
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation
Molto+Media: Digital Culture Funding
Early report on digital media non-profits
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Arts and Culture • Impact Evaluation • Local Journalism
Radio & Audio Grantmaking: Reaching New Audiences Through Old Platforms
Making the case for radio and audio grantmaking
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation • 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
Reimagining Public Media: Strategic Leadership and Innovation in Local News
Strategic leadership and innovation in local news
Source:
Wyncote Foundation
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Local Journalism • Public Media
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
Members Only
The Case for Impact – Webinar
Presenting new case studies on how documentaries can catalyze social change
Source:
Center for Media & Social Impact
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Impact Evaluation
The Growing Strength of Public Media Local Journalism
How to use public media as a tool to evolve local journalism
Source:
Wyncote Foundation
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Local Journalism • Public Media
The People of Color Documentary Ecosystem: Engines for a New American Narrative
Landscape study on diversity in documentary film
Source:
Color Congress
Arts and Culture • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Racial Justice
Unlocking U.S. audience demand for international news
This study, written by former Global Press CEO Cristi Hegranes and COO Laxmi Parthasarathy, reveals significant untapped demand for higher-quality international journalism among U.S. readers across diverse demographics, including noncitizen, diaspora, and migrant populations. Drawing on a rigorous methodology—including a nationwide survey of more than 1,200 U.S.-based international news readers,…
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Democracy/Free Expression • Effective Grantmaking Practice • International Journalism
US Independent Film Audience & Landscape Study
Landmark audience & landscape study for independent film
Source:
Shorenstein Center
Arts and Culture • Platforms & Audience • Public Media