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
A Guide to Assessing Your Local News Ecosystem
Step-by-step toolkit for funding news in your community
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Democracy Fund
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Local Journalism
A Toolkit for Inclusion & Accessibility
Toolkit for inclusion and accessibility in documentary film
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FWD-Doc
Effective Grantmaking Practice
Commission a Local News Ecosystem Assessment: An Operational Toolkit
Best practices and step-by-step guidance to crafting ecosystem assessments
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Local News Impact Consortium
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Local Journalism
Communication Matters
One of the original models from the Communications Network, this framework was built on extensive research across the social sector to support communication practitioners. Informed in part by communications leaders in philanthropy, the model organizes communications attributes across four key dimensions: Brand, Culture, Strategy, and Action. Use This Guide To:…
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The Communications Network
Effective Grantmaking Practice
How Foundations Can Foster Diversity & Inclusion
A playbook on advancing equity in philanthropy
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Chronicle of Philanthropy
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Racial Justice
Impact Field Guide & Toolkit
Step-by-step guide to build your impact campaign
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Doc Society
Arts and Culture • Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Impact Evaluation
Impact Pack
A card deck to spark conversations about impact
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Dot Connector Studios
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation • Platforms & Audience
Journalism Trust Kits
Ways to tackle journalism’s trust problem
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Trusting News
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • International Journalism • Local Journalism • Misinformation/Disinformation
Narrative Observatory
An interactive platform to help you think strategically about reaching the right audience
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Harmony Labs
Arts and Culture • Impact Evaluation • Platforms & Audience
Storytelling for Good
Craft stronger messages for your organization
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The Communications Network
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation
The Creator Journalism Trust and Credibility Toolkit
Tips for funders on creator journalists
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Lenfest Institute
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Misinformation/Disinformation • Platforms & Audience
The Impact Tracker
A digital platform designed to define, measure and track impact data for journalism and funders
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Impact Architects
Impact Evaluation • Local Journalism • Platforms & Audience
Words that Work
A toolkit to help funders talk about local news
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Press Forward
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Local Journalism