The 2023 Media Impact Forum will focus on uplifting voices from the news outlets and media organizations that are deeply rooted in community. Uniquely positioned to reflect local concerns and surface appropriate solutions, media that’s created in and reflective of the communities it serves plays a vital role in our information ecosystem, providing the means for cultural expression, discussion, and debate.

On Friday, June 2—one day after the Media Impact Forum—MIF will be hosting funder-only breakout groups/discussions at the offices of the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). We will be organizing two separate working sessions for our journalism funders and for our documentary film funders.

Journalism Funders Working Session

In recent months, some of the largest funders in journalism have convened to discuss efforts to catalyze more funding for news and information. These funders have been working to identify the most valuable opportunities to stimulate financial resources for local news. Throughout the day, we will discuss strategies to advance these ongoing initiatives.

Throughout the day, funders will have the opportunity to participate in different tracks related to journalism:

• Solutions to the crisis in local news
• Challenges and opportunities facing international journalism funders, including duty of care, supporting independent journalism in non-democratic countries, and cross-border journalism collaborations
• Grappling with the impact of technology—including AI, misinformation and disinformation, and ATSC 3.0—and its relationship to journalism

Documentary Funders Working Session

This is an exciting and turbulent time for nonfiction storytelling, amid shifts in both the form of documentary and the field itself. There is rapid growth of independent field infrastructure, alongside opportunities and challenges presented by consolidation of the distribution landscape. Documentaries are trusted source of information and increasing their role in society, politics and culture, becoming flashpoints in culture wars in the process. And the documentary field is leading the way in conversations around community-centered ethics and accountability relevant across all media. Join the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation | JustFilms, and the Perspective Fund for a deep dive into these emergent topics. Come away with ideas for collaboration and alignment in service of proactively championing the independent and equity-focused storytellers in this high-stakes moment and for the long-term.

Questions? Email info@mediafunders.org.

Questions? Email info@mediafunders.org

Media Impact Funders is committed to providing a friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for all, regardless of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, or religion. Please email info@mediafunders.org if there is a barrier for your participation or if you need to share additional access needs.

• Intercontinental San Francisco, 888 Howard St., San Francisco, 94103

• Hotel Nikko San Francisco, 222 Mason Street, San Francisco 94102

Email Courtney Eshleman, Director of Development & Member Engagement, at courtney@mediafunders.org.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Funders will have the opportunity to:

• Focus on the critical issues facing media philanthropy today

• Dissect your media strategy with your peers

• Hear inspiring stories of high-impact media, the strategies behind them and the funders who made them happen

• Expand your network by networking with funders who represent national, place-based, and community foundations from across the country.