Year-end reflection: Funders of media in the public interest stepped up in the face of 2020’s myriad challenges

Coming to the end of 2020, I think it’s fair to say that many of us are eager to turn the page with hopes of a better year to come. As this newsletter goes out, we are close to the winter solstice, the shortest and darkest day of the year. It feels that way metaphorically, as we pass the grim milestone of 300,000 souls lost to the COVID-19 pandemic. And that’s not just a number. Many of us have been touched by the virus personally, among staff and on the Board of Directors of Media Impact Funders, as well as many in our network. Recently, we read the heartbreaking story of loss written by MIF member John Bare, vice president at the Arthur M. Blank Foundation, who shared the touching and painful journal of the death of his beloved wife, Betsy, in September. Along with all of our colleagues, we extend our condolences to John and his family. Read More

The Media Impact Funders team has just returned from the 2019 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, where we convened a highly engaged group of media funders to discuss innovative new collaborations among funders and filmmakers, and social impact campaigns designed to move the needle at the community level. Read More