The stakes for independent media have never been higher.

In a fragmented, politically charged, and rapidly evolving information ecosystem, philanthropy’s role is essential. Media funding shapes whether communities have access to trusted journalism, whether public media remains strong and independent, whether documentary storytelling reaches broad audiences, and whether democratic discourse remains resilient.

The 2026 Media Impact Forum brings together philanthropic funders who use media as a strategy to advance public interest goals. Participants step out of day-to-day grantmaking to engage peers across issue areas, examine the pressures reshaping the field, and consider where greater alignment can unlock meaningful impact across the media landscape.

The Forum offers a rare opportunity to connect with leaders shaping the future of media philanthropy and to work collectively on challenges that no single funder can solve alone.

Through four focused programmatic pillars — The Future of Public Media, Effective Media Funding Practice, Platform Futures and Audience Reach, and Safeguarding Journalism and Media — the Forum creates a structured environment for cross-field connection across journalism, documentary, and public media. These pillars provide both depth and coherence, surfacing sector-specific challenges while illuminating shared questions that cut across issue areas and funding strategies.

By convening funders broadly, the Forum reflects the growing role of media as a cross-cutting strategy within philanthropy. It is designed not simply as a moment of reflection, but as a space where relationships deepen, priorities sharpen, and new possibilities emerge.

The Forum functions as a working space for philanthropy at a moment of urgency.

Mainstage conversations ground the gathering in a shared understanding of the forces shaping journalism, documentary, and public media today. Field leaders, funders, and practitioners surface both the risks confronting independent media and the opportunities emerging across platforms and audiences.

Structured peer discussions create room for alignment. Participants explore where their strategies intersect, where gaps remain, and where stronger coordination could amplify impact. In a field often shaped by grant cycles, geography, and institutional constraints, simply seeing the landscape together can shift what feels achievable.

Breakout and small-group working sessions allow for deeper exploration of potential collaboration. Some conversations will focus on shared learning and strategy. Others may move toward more concrete next steps. The Forum does not prescribe a single model of partnership. Instead, it creates the context and relationships that make coordinated, sustained action more likely once participants return to their institutions.

The goal is not conversation for its own sake. It is momentum — carried forward beyond the convening.

The Forum combines shared learning, meaningful connection, and focused working time so participants can move from big-picture insight to practical next steps.

The convening begins with a full day of mainstage conversations featuring funders, field leaders and practitioners who will explore the most pressing risks and emerging opportunities shaping journalism, documentary and public media. Intentional networking breaks throughout the day create space for informal exchange and relationship-building.

The day also features the Next Challenge Awards ceremony, highlighting innovative efforts that are pushing the field forward and offering concrete examples of new approaches in action.

Concurrent breakout sessions allow participants to go deeper into the themes raised on the mainstage, engage directly with peers, and explore the practical implications for funding strategy.

A second day shifts toward more focused working sessions. These smaller conversations are designed to help funders compare approaches, refine priorities and identify clear pathways for action that can continue in the months that follow.

Media Impact Funders is committed to providing exceptional experiences for all attendees of our events. We understand that circumstances may change, and you may find yourself unable to attend.

We strive to accommodate our attendees to the best of our ability while also managing the resources necessary for hosting successful events.

Instead of requesting a refund for your ticket, we invite you to consider the following options:

• Turn your ticket cost into a powerful contribution that will directly impact MIF’s mission, work and initiatives. Your support helps us serve our growing network of funders who care about effective use of media, and the programs we create to serve them.
• Transfer your ticket to a colleague at your organization—just let us know the name and email of your colleague.

Please contact MIF Member Engagement Manager, Shannon Thomas at shannon@mediafunders.org to convert your ticket cost into a donation, transfer your ticket to a colleague, or to request a refund.

Refund and Cancelation Policy

• Registration requests made on or before 60 days before, will receive a full refund (minus $55 processing fees).
• Registration requests made between 59 days and 30 days before the event will receive a partial refund of 50% of your ticket cost (minus a $55 processing fee).
• We are unable to offer refunds on or after 30 days of the event.
• Refunds will be processed within 3-5 business days after approval.

This is a Funder-only Gathering

If you are unsure of your eligibility to attend this gathering, please contact Shannon Thomas at shannon@mediafunders.org. If you purchase a ticket and are not eligible to attend, the ticket price will be refunded, but not the processing fees.

Media Impact Funders has been hosting the Media Impact Forum since 2013 with the purpose of bringing funders together to network, deepen learning and spark collaboration. This is special because funders of journalism, documentary and other media seldom cross paths in their everyday work. The Forum provides a wonderful opportunity to come together for a day of inspiring media presentations and to stay up to date on current trends, issues and opportunities facing the field.