After the conventions, time for foundations to focus on change
When a political convention rolls through your neighborhood, it’s easy to believe that anything is possible. In Philadelphia, where I live, we’ve just witnessed an event that had the fervor and optimism of a Taylor Swift concert for four days but the precision and orchestration of a military convoy taking over an entire city. No […]
DNCinPHL: Funders and nonprofit news on the scene
Editor’s note: This piece was updated on Aug. 5, 2016, to include DNC contributions by graphic journalist and VR/AR expert Dan Archer, the Youth News Team, and the NoVo Foundation. This week’s Democratic Convention is taking place in our hometown. So, we’re reporting from both inside and outside the event on how nonprofit outlets and their funders are addressing issues at […]
The 2016 Media Impact Forum
At the 2016 Media Impact Forum, we explored the networks, data and collaborations that support and amplify powerful narratives in film, journalism virtual reality and more. Agenda 9:30 a.m.—Welcome and Introductions Vince Stehle, Executive Director, Media Impact Funders Andrew Rasiej, Founder/CEO, Civic Hall Musical interlude Michael Thurber, Composer, Performer, From the Top 9:55 a.m.—Tech Support: Mapping […]
MIF receives two transformative grants to strengthen support of media that matters
PHILADELPHIA, PA (May 31, 2016)—Media Impact Funders (MIF), a member-supported network of funders who seek to improve society through media and technology, has been awarded a two-year, $500,000 matching grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies, a limited-life foundation. It is the largest-ever grant awarded to the nonprofit since its incorporation in 2009.
A win for journalism (and everyone): Knight, MacArthur announce grants to help protect free speech, investigative reporting
The nonprofit news sector is having a really great year: Two beloved hometown newspapers on the brink of collapse were saved by a new nonprofit in January. Pulitzers were awarded for exceptional reporting in April. A new watchdog-focused outlet joined the fold this month. And this week, two sizable grants from two foundations known for their commitment to and […]
American Press Institute report: The nonprofit news sector needs a code of ethics
The American Press Institute—an educational nonprofit that helps advance news media in the digital age—released a report last month that explores the ethical terrain of nonprofit journalism. “The ethics of taking grants from foundations and gifts from donors to produce news is still evolving and not without controversy,” the report reads.
Ask the Sexpert
With support from the MacArthur Foundation, Catapult Film Fund, and others, Indian director Vaishali Sinha examines how Indians discuss sex in her documentary Ask the Sexpert. This feature length documentary is centered on a highly popular sex advice columnist in Mumbai, India—Dr. Mahinder Watsa.
Media Impact Funders Survey Reveals Varied Perspectives on Impact Assessment
PARK CITY, Utah — When media funders talk about impact, what do they mean, and how do they demonstrate it? At the Sundance Film Festival, Media Impact Funders (MIF) released a new report, Funder Perspectives: Assessing Media Investments. It explores the multiple and sometimes overlapping lenses through which grantmakers view media evaluation, and confirms that […]