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 Strategic Framework to Guide Investments in Narrative Change
Philanthropy best practices for narrative change
Source:
USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation
Arts + Social Impact Explorer
Interactive tool for tracking impact in the arts
Source:
Americans for the Arts
Arts and Culture • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation
Beyond the Impact Report
The most overlooked and urgent issues in social impact documentary
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation
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
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
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
Foundation Maps for Media Funding
Media Grants Map How-To Guide
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation
Members Only
From Pop Culture to Public Benefit: Funding Entertainment that Creates Change
Our Nov. 2025 network meeting featured a discussion with Luminate’s Kristel Muciño, Cinereach’s Candice McFarlane, and Common Era’s Yonah Schiller on how philanthropy can strategically engage in the public-benefit entertainment space. We talked about what public-benefit entertainment is, why it matters, and how funders can use it to advance…
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation • Platforms & Audience
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
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Media Impact Funders
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation • Local Journalism
Global Impact Producers Alliance
Find an impact producer
Source:
Doc Society
Impact Evaluation • Platforms & Audience
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
Impact Field Guide & Toolkit
Step-by-step guide to build your impact campaign
Source:
Doc Society
Arts and Culture • Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Impact Evaluation
Impact Pack
A card deck to spark conversations about impact
Source:
Dot Connector Studios
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation • Platforms & Audience
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 and Philanthropy: Growth, Diversity and Potential Conflicts of Interest
The role and influence of philanthropic funding for journalism
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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
Members Only
Media Grantmaking: Where to Start
MIF's recommended resources for new media funders
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation
Media Grants Data Map
MIF’s Powerful Data Insights Tool
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation
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
Narrative Observatory
An interactive platform to help you think strategically about reaching the right audience
Source:
Harmony Labs
Arts and Culture • Impact Evaluation • Platforms & Audience
Philanthropy’s New Voice: Building Trust with Deeper Stories and Clear Language
A guide to help foundations build trust with their communities through story
Source:
Council on Foundations
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation
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
Storytelling for Good
Craft stronger messages for your organization
Source:
The Communications Network
Civic Engagement/Civic Information • Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation
Members Only
Strategies for Supporting Narrative Change Work
Our Jan. 2026 network meeting furthered conversations we’ve been having around support for public-benefit media, strategies for reaching new and different audiences, and the role of platforms and distribution in funding decisions. The discussion featured two narrative change funders focused on climate media: Ricky Benavidez, Director…
Source:
Media Impact Funders
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Environment/Climate • Impact Evaluation
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 Filmmaker-Participant Relationship Unpacked
A thorough examination of the filmmaker-participant relationship in documentary filmmaking
Source:
ITVS
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation • Safety & Security
The Impact Tracker
A digital platform designed to define, measure and track impact data for journalism and funders
Source:
Impact Architects
Impact Evaluation • Local Journalism • Platforms & Audience
The Narrative Directory
A tool for sharing resources to support narrative change
Source:
IRIS
Effective Grantmaking Practice • Impact Evaluation • Platforms & Audience