MIF supports funders across a fragmented and rapidly changing media ecosystem with convenings, research and a highly collaborative community.

How Media Impact Funders supports funders across a complex media ecosystem

The stakes for media funding have never been higher. Market failures and policy decisions have reshaped local, national and international journalism. Public-interest reporting is disappearing in many communities, misinformation continues to proliferate, and emerging technologies, from AI to new social platforms, are reshaping how people access information. At the same time, many funders across climate, health, education, democracy and the arts have already discovered that supporting media—including newsrooms, documentaries and engagement platforms—strengthens their core strategies.

Since 2009, donors have invested more than $40 billion in media worldwide. This ecosystem is vibrant but highly complex. Many funders want to collaborate, but without a shared roadmap, even the strongest strategies can remain siloed. With its big-tent approach, MIF helps connect the dots so funders can build upon one another’s work and identify opportunities they might otherwise miss.

Media Impact Funders exists to help funders navigate this complexity together. We work across issue areas, funding levels and media forms to connect conversations, share intelligence and reduce duplication. By creating spaces for learning and collaboration, and by producing practical research and tools, MIF helps funders act with greater clarity, confidence and collective impact.

Our Thematic Pillars

MIF’s work is organized around a set of thematic pillars that reflect the core challenges and opportunities facing media funders today. These focus areas help guide our convenings, research,and member services, while allowing funders to engage across issues and approaches.

Future of Public Media
Supporting funders working to strengthen public media as a trusted, resilient civic institution. This includes questions of sustainability, governance, innovation and public service in a rapidly evolving media environment.

Platforms & Audience Reach
Helping funders understand how platforms, algorithms and distribution systems shape who sees and trusts information, and what it takes for public-interest media to reach and engage audiences today.

Effective Practice
Advancing shared learning about best practices in funding media effectively.

Safeguarding Media & Journalism
Addressing the threats facing independent media and journalism, including political pressure, legal risk, safety concerns and challenges to press freedom, integrity and trust.

How we work with members

Through convenings that build shared understanding
MIF brings funders together through a range of convenings designed to support learning, connection and alignment across these pillars.

• Network Meetings help members stay oriented to developments across the field and explore how trends intersect across issue areas and funding strategies.
• Small-group discussions and advisory committees create space for deeper peer exchange around shared challenges.
• The Media Impact Forum, MIF’s flagship annual convening, brings together hundreds of funders and partners to examine field-wide trends and opportunities for collective action.

Through research, tools, and shared intelligence
MIF produces and curates research that helps funders make informed decisions across all four pillars. Members rely on MIF’s reports, analyses and playbooks to brief their boards and stay ahead of shifts in the media landscape. Our Resource Library brings these materials together with curated tools, recordings and guidance—some publicly available, and others accessible through a member-only log-in.

Through a collaborative, member-driven network
MIF connects funders working across different pillars, issue areas and funding approaches. Through convenings, learning communities and direct member support, MIF helps members explore aligned strategies, reduce duplication and discover collaborators they would not otherwise meet.

Through guidance and ongoing support
MIF provides guidance and support to help members navigate questions as they arise. Through office hours, one-on-one conversations with staff and follow-ups from convenings and briefings, MIF serves as a trusted resource for context, connections and sensemaking.

Focused on long-term field strength
Across all four pillars, MIF helps members strengthen their field-wide impact by identifying opportunities for alignment, coordination and collective action.