Media Grantmaking: Where to Start

The resources compiled here are to help guide funders new to supporting media and new staff through planning and launching media grantmaking programs. Some of these materials are elsewhere in the Resource Library, but others sourced from members and the wider funding community that our staff references often.

Broken up into key sections, this is our recommended reading for Media Grantmaking 101. Here you will find recommendations for starting your process, structuring your values and thought pieces from field leaders to help guide you.

Getting Started

• MIF’s Journalism and Media Grantmaking: Five Things You Need to Know and Five Ways to Get Started
  Our evergreen, step-by-step guide to charting your media grantmaking path.
• Theory of Change worksheet – DIY (Development, Impact & You)
• The Nuts & Bolts of Media Grantmaking Video Playlist
  This playlist features selected keynote talks from our JFunders 22 and JFunders 23 funder gatherings. Themes include making sense of your existing media grants, deciding to conduct landscape analysis, equity frameworks, practical support for newsrooms and strategies for supporting election coverage.
• A Guide to the Language of Journalism – Poynter
  A glossary of journalism and newsroom jargon to help navigate the key terms in the field.
• Impact Glossary – Peace is Loud
  A glossary of terms related to impact work in documentary and impact campaigns.
• Things we don’t talk about (but Should): An open letter to Media Funders – Media Impact Funders
  Penned by Jessica Clark and Molly de Aguiar, this article covers best practices in crafting funder-grantee dynamics.
• Five Things Philanthropy Can Do to Restore Trust in Journalism – Inside Philanthropy

Ethics of Media Grantmaking

• Charting new ground: The ethical terrain of nonprofit journalism – American Press Institute
  An early analysis of the ethical considerations of funding nonprofit journalism. For additional commentary see our article on the report.
• Journalism and Philanthropy: Growth, Diversity and Potential Conflicts of Interest – Media Impact Funders, The Lenfest Institute & NORC
  Survey-backed analysis of philanthropic support for media and journalism
• A Guide For Teaching The Framework For Values, Ethics, and Accountability In Nonfiction Filmmaking – Documentary Accountability Working Group
  A collaborative guide prepared by funders, filmmakers and impact producers on producing nonfiction film

Equitable Practice

• Dear funders: What does it mean to care about equity in journalism? – Democracy Fund
  Insights on what equity in journalism means and and how to fund equitable journalism
• When Funders Treat Community as an Afterthought, News Organizations Crumble – Tracie Powell, Pivot Fund for Inside Philanthropy
  Commentary about the importance of centering community and grassroots new outlets in media funding
• Field Directed Funding Bears Fruit – Sahar Driver, Color Congress
  How Color Congress built their member-led Field Building Fund

Source: Media Impact Funders