Journalism Philanthropy News
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Should Philanthropy Fund Narrative Change in Film and TV — Instead of News?
Thought leaders at the “Day of Unreasonable Conversation” in Los Angeles pointed to the power of storytelling to save democracy.
How Press Forward Is Supporting Small Newsroom Infrastructure
We checked in with grantees of the $500 million philanthropic coalition to see how they’re using the money.
How Community Foundations Can Help Local Public Media Withstand Federal Funding Cuts
The Alaska Community Foundation’s actions underscore community foundations’ critical role in stabilizing outlets that lost federal funding.
Will Philanthropy Get a Cut of the $3.3 Billion Murdoch Succession Deal?
Here’s a look at what James Murdoch, Liz Murdoch and Prue Murdoch MacLeod’s giving histories tell us about what they might fund with their shares of the payout.
Rapid Response: Funders Pool Their Dollars to Protect Public Media
Big, public-facing rapid response initiatives from philanthropy have been notably rare so far amid Trump’s cuts. But here’s an exception: the newly launched Public Media Bridge Fund.
Spreading Love Through Media, the Regrantor Way
University of California Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center launches a funding initiative for media projects telling stories of love, empathy and compassion.
After a Hiatus, What’s New with Open Society Foundations’ Distinctive Fellowships?
OSF’s fellowship program is back, aiming to amplify and elevate voices from the Global South. The 2025-26 cohort includes 31 public intellectuals from seven cities.
Who’s Funding Public News Media?
With the imminent closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, philanthropic support for public news will be all the more critical. Here’s who’s funding public news, including PBS NewsHour and NPR.
What Wallis Annenberg’s Passing Could Mean for L.A.’s Legendary Family Foundation
Four possible paths forward for the Annenberg Foundation.
What Happens When the Feds Target a Nonprofit? Lessons from Mother Jones
As vague Trump administration threats roil the philanthrosphere, Monika Bauerlein reminds us there’s precedent for a politically motivated IRS attack on a nonprofit’s status.
Viewers Like You: Who’s Supporting PBS at the National Level?
PBS stations are finding themselves in trouble after Congress decided to strip the Corporation for Public Broadcasting of more than $1 billion. Here are some funders that have the broadcaster’s back.
A Privately Owned Newspaper Embraced Philanthropy. Here’s What It’s Learning
The Minnesota Star Tribune, which is owned by billionaire Glen Taylor, launched a nonprofit last year to diversify its revenue.
When Funders Treat Community as an Afterthought, News Organizations Crumble
Tracie Powell of The Pivot Fund dissects what went wrong at the Houston Landing, an ill-fated nonprofit newsroom — and why $20 million in funding couldn’t guarantee its success.
Journalism Fundraising Program NewsMatch Had Its Most Successful Year Yet. Here’s Why
Institute for Nonprofit News Executive Director and CEO Karen Rundlet and participating foundation leaders discuss why so many NewsMatch donors gave to local news last year.
Press Forward Director Dale Anglin On Generating Funder Support for Local News
Since its launch, Press Forward’s funders have invested over $200 million in local news. Anglin walks us through early lessons learned, how outlets can effectively engage grantmakers, and more.
As Billionaire Owners Throw Their Weight Around, Journalism Support Is Even More Vital
Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos recently took control of the paper’s opinion pages, further highlighting the need for funders to support a free and independent press.
Nonprofit Journalism Hasn’t Experienced Another Post-Election “Trump Bump”
The administration’s funding cuts could change that picture as more people feel the direct impact of Trump policies, moving donors.
Five Takeaways on Supporting Black and Brown Media in Trying Times
With racial equity work under attack, news organizations serving communities of color risk getting stranded without steady philanthropic backing.
Wendy Schmidt Invests Big in Documentary Film
The Schmidt Family Philanthropies cofounder’s new stake in a top doc film company highlights the need for more nonfiction film support.
This Immigrant News Nonprofit’s Getting Big Support from Knight. Here’s Why
Nonprofit newsroom Documented serves immigrant communities in New York. Thanks to a Knight Foundation grant, it’s now expanding its work nationwide.
Some Good News: Heising-Simons Prize Fosters Independent Journalism
The foundation’s American Journalism Mosaic Prize, whose latest winners were announced this week, provides awards of $100,000 in unrestricted funds to freelance journalists.
Good News for Los Angeles: Philanthropy Bolsters the Local Beat
In a hopeful time for nonprofit local news funding, the American Journalism Project and a group of philanthropies and donors are launching a new initiative to support local coverage in the nation’s second-largest city.
Trust-Based Practices Top of Mind at Tech Billionaire Couple David and Angela Filo’s Foundation
In 2000, the Yahoo! cofounder and his wife launched what is now called the Skyline Foundation. Executive Director Angie Chen walks us through how it’s evolved, its commitment to trust-based giving and more.
Media Literacy Can Help Defang Disinformation. These Funders Are Backing It.
Helping people become wiser consumers and producers of media isn’t the focus of a whole lot of grantmaking, despite its obvious importance right now. But some funders do support those efforts.
Why Hewlett’s Funding Fact-Based, Religion-Focused Media — and Why We Need More of That
The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation’s support for Religion News Service and other experienced outlets is valuable in today’s environment of disinformation and journalistic decline.
How the Field Foundation of Illinois Supports Community Power-Building Throughout Chicago
With a history in Chicago going back many decades, this regional grantmaker aims to evolve from a “transactional” to a “transformational” funder, including by supporting local journalism and community organizers.
Disinformation Poses a Serious Threat to Democracy. Here Are Some of the Funders Pushing Back
Philanthropy’s been engaged in the fight against disinformation for a while, but those efforts are even more crucial in an election year that will once again test the nation’s institutions. Here are a few key grantmakers to note.
A Closer Look at the Wyncote Foundation, From the Family Behind the William Penn Foundation
This Philadelphia-based funder was launched in 2009 by John Haas, whose father established the much larger William Penn Foundation. We dig into Wyncote’s current giving, including substantial support for local journalism.
“Accountability Still Exists.” A Closer Look at a Place-Based Donor’s Historic Journalism Gift
Nathan Collier’s gift to the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications aims to boost government oversight at the state level. We check in with the real estate executive to learn how it came together.
Why Craig Newmark Is Concerned — and Hopeful — for American Democracy
As the 2024 election approaches, Craig Newmark is focusing his philanthropy on efforts to educate the public, strengthen cyber security and protect democracy — while cracking some jokes along the way.
