WATCH: The 2020 Journalism Funders Gathering

Last week, we convened our peers for our annual journalism funders gathering to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing journalism—and our nation—today. We hope that our two days of programming and breakout sessions introduced you to new people, new ideas, and a new way forward. We are so grateful to the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation and Independence Public Media Foundation for sponsoring our first online journalism funders conference. (And special thanks to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Henry L. Hillman Foundation, and the Rita Allen Foundation for their support.) Zoom fatigue is real, and we are that much more grateful for the network’s participation our virtual format. We also know that many of you are juggling work and other family responsibilities, whether it’s your kids’ remote learning or caring for a loved one. Because of that, we’ve recorded all of our plenary discussions so that you can watch them at a time that’s more convenient for you. As we grapple with seemingly growing efforts to spread lies online, persistent issues preventing the advancement of newsroom culture, and what we need to do now to ensure a more equitable media ecosystem in the future, we hope you’ll… Read More

Scientific inquiry is being challenged as never before, and science denialism is increasingly prevalent, as efforts to propagate misinformation and disinformation grow more prominent. To reclaim and support the essential role of science in our society, funders are continuing to respond with a variety of grants that support the communication of science.  In this webinar, we heard from: Richard Stone, senior science editor at HHMI Department of Science Education, and Jonathan Fahey, health & science editor at the Associated Press, on expanding their collaboration to support health and science reporting over the next three years. In fall 2019, the AP announced “What Can Be Saved?”, a series of multimedia stories that followed several intense efforts around the world to save or revive ecosystems. Indre Viskontas, neuroscientist and podcast host of Inquiring Minds, about using podcasts as a vehicle for educating the public on complex scientific information and its impact. Rachael Strecher, senior director of Storytelling Grants, Programs and Fellowships at the National Geographic Society, who will give us a preview of the National Geographic’s 2020 Storytellers Summit, a conference that brings together photographers, writers, filmmakers, illustrators and journalists to celebrate the art… Read More

This month’s journalism webinar marked the second in a series exploring innovative ways to fund reporting on science, health and the environment. This time, we looked at the field of environmental reporting and heard about successful partnerships and scalable models. Read More

Last week, in collaboration with Philanthropy New York and the Environmental Grantmakers Association, we held a special screening and discussion of the award-winning film Sea of Shadows, a new film by National Geographic that serves as a blueprint for how a conservation effort can come together in spite of widespread institutional corruption and dangerous cartels. In the Gulf of California, totoaba fish are being illegally overfished by Mexican cartels and Chinese traffickers because of a belief among some in China that their bladders possess healing powers. But the deadly methods of harvesting totoaba, also a critically endangered fish, are threatening to wipe out the vaquita—the world's smallest whale. In fact, it's estimated that fewer than 15 vaquitas remain. Sea of Shadows follows undercover investigators, environmentalists, journalists and the Mexican Navy in their efforts to rescue the vaquita from total extinction. Read More

Media Impact Funders is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to our board of directors: Kaitlin Yarnall, senior vice president of Media Innovation at the National Geographic Society; and Tim Isgitt, managing director of Humanity United; and Carmen Lee, communications officer with The Heinz Endowments. Yarnall and Isgitt, whose appointments begin in December, and Lee, who begins her term in May 2019, bring decades of journalism, media and grantmaking experience to our board and to the fields of media and philanthropy. “On behalf of the rest of the MIF board, we are thrilled to welcome Kaitlin, Tim and Carmen, who all bring extraordinary talents and passion for our mission and reflect some of the most inspired institutions in our field,” said David Rousseau, MIF’s board chair and Kaiser Family Foundation’s vice president of media and technology. We’ve engaged with our new members in a variety of ways over the years. Yarnall spoke at our 2018 Media Impact Forum about the National Geographic Society’s experience in science media grantmaking, and continues to play a key role in our convenings around science communications. Isgitt played a key role in conversations around the creation… Read More

Last week, Media Impact Funders continued its series of funder conversations to connect grantmakers with research, strategy and practice in science communications with its latest webinar organized around two upcoming convenings: SMASH (Science Media Awards & Summit in the Hub) and WGBH Innovation IdeaLab. We invited speakers from these two science media conferences to discuss the question we’ve been exploring for over a year now: For funders who care about science and civic life, how do we reach new and diverse audiences with science content that sparks curiosity and learning? Watch the webinar here and use the time stamps below to follow along in the recording: The webinar featured: Kaitlin Yarnall (2:43), senior vice president for Media Innovation at the National Geographic Society, who provided an overview of the discussion and context for its importance John Bredar (5:34), vice president of national programming at WGBH, who provided an overview of the SMASH convening and its objective to increase science literacy to diverse audiences. Adnaan Wasey (11:49), Rita Allen Fellow for Science Communication, who spoke about his work around developing innovative methods to engage new audiences and reaching nonelite audiences through entertainment media. Read More

On May 10, we convened our annual Media Impact Forum at the American Philosophical Society—the home of America’s oldest learned society—in Philadelphia. From its earliest days, the American republic has relied on scientific inquiry to propel our nation forward, in all facets of our life–in commerce, national defense, social policy and creative expression, among many other areas. The meeting helped philanthropy focus on the special role of science in our national debates, the importance of sharpening the communications of science, and broader issues about understanding how and when communications and storytelling make a difference. Below, you’ll find video clips of each session. If you want the highlights, check out the thread we made for Twitter Moments. Or just read the notes here. And here are some more in-depth impressions from those who were there: One of our speakers, Ethan Zuckerman, director of the Center for Civic Media at MIT, posted his entire talk over on Medium. The gist? That Benjamin Franklin, in response to polarization and fake news, would say that these are not even remotely new concepts. Independent consultant Louise Lief wrote a nice recap for the Knight Foundation’s Trust, Media &… Read More

By Vincent Stehle | Originally from The Chronicle of Philanthropy Once the United Nations Conference on Climate Change wraps up this weekend, it will become more important than ever that foundations step in and persuade citizens around the world to make sure government leaders follow through on the pledges made in Paris. We have already seen tremendous partnerships between grant makers and media organizations that set the standard for what needs to happen next. But they pale in comparison to what the energy industry is spending to protect its practices, and that’s why the next phase of action is so crucial. Read More

Given today's thriving documentary marketplace, competition for audience attention and action is fierce. That’s why we’ve chosen to honor five pioneering film teams for their breakthrough approaches to constructing high-impact social campaigns. Read More