MIF works with a wide range of partners, including philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs), media institutions, research groups, and convening partners. These collaborations reflect our commitment to working across silos and supporting a diverse, evolving media ecosystem.

We pursue partnerships where we can add distinctive value: connecting funders who might not otherwise find one another, bringing field-level context into the room, and supporting collective learning that informs funding decisions. Our role is not to set the agenda for the field, but to help structure conversations so collaboration is genuinely useful to participants.

MIF collaborations take many forms, depending on the needs of the field and our members. Recent collaborations:

  • Research exploring ethics, trust and accountability in journalism with The Lenfest Institute and NORC
  • Research on the state of global journalism with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Dot Connector Studio
  • A partnership with the Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group on the Next Challenge Awards, a program that surfaces and supports early-stage innovation in media. For the past two years, the Next Challenge Awards have been presented at the Media Impact Forum, MIF’s flagship annual event.

Interested in collaborating? Email Nina Sachdev, Deputy Director of External Affairs, at nina@mediafunders.org.

Upcoming Events

A complete listing of upcoming MIF events, including public convenings and member-only gatherings. Event listings include registration details and access information.

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MIF Network Call – April

Our April network call will continue our conversation about the role funders can play in incentivizing and prioritizing sustainability in nonprofit media organizations. We’ll look at a new report from Wyncote Foundation coming out this Thursday, April 2, “Meeting the Revenue Challenge: Philanthropy’s Role in the Growth of Local News.” This new report examines 17 of the most successful public-benefit media organizations to identify predictive lessons for the larger field. You’ll learn about the report’s biggest takeaways for funders concerned about the long-term sustainability of nonprofit news from the authors: Feather Houstoun, Senior Advisor for Journalism and Public Media, Wyncote Foundation Mark Fuerst, President, Innovation4Media, Inc. and Director, Public Media Futures/Local that Works Caroline Porter, Principal, Ralstin Agency… Read More
April 6, 2026
MIF Network Call – April

Funder Breakfast at the 2026 International Journalism Festival

We’re excited to host our annual breakfast gathering for funders attending the International Journalism Festival in Perugia, Italy. Join us from 8-10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 17, at the Hotel Brufani (SINA Brufani) in the Sala del Cambio 🇮🇹 At a moment of significant change across the media landscape, this meeting will create space for funders to reflect together on the challenges and opportunities shaping the field—from sustainability pressures and shifting audience behavior to the evolving role of philanthropy in supporting public-interest journalism. Rather than a traditional panel, the session will feature brief opening provocations followed by facilitated small-group discussions, allowing funders to exchange perspectives, surface shared questions and explore where greater coordination or new approaches may be needed. Please note: This gathering is intended for philanthropic funders. Intermediaries are welcome to attend in their role as funders. MIF Staff & Board Speaking Engagements at the Festival IJF will be buzzing with over 175 panel discussions that are free and open to the public. We’re excited to share that MIF staff and board will be contributing their expertise to the following discussions: Creative Reconstruction: Reimagining Local News and Public Media How Documentary Funders Think… Read More
April 17, 2026
Funder Breakfast at the 2026 International Journalism Festival