November 29, 2023 A Conversation with Karen Rundlet, Incoming CEO of the Institute for Nonprofit News November 29, 2023/ Mike Scutari The Knight Foundation senior director will take the helm at INN, which offers support to nearly 450 members. We check in with her about why she’s optimistic about local news, her plans for the organization, and much more.Read More
October 30, 2023 How This Nationwide Matching Gift Campaign Galvanizes Support for Nonprofit News Outlets October 30, 2023/ Mike Scutari NewsMatch, the largest collaborative fundraising campaign to support nonprofit news in the U.S., kicks off on November 1. It leverages growing interest in nonprofit journalism, from big funders and small donors alike.Read More
October 24, 2023 “A Pathway to Restoring Local News.” Field Leader Sue Cross on the State of Journalism Philanthropy October 24, 2023/ Mike Scutari Sue Cross will be stepping down as the head of the Institute for Nonprofit News at the end of the year. She walks us through what she’s learned during her tenure about how philanthropy can support local news and much more. Read More
October 12, 2023 How John Palfrey Is Leading MacArthur Into a New Era of Philanthropy October 12, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe John Palfrey has led this $8 billion foundation through a time of great change — a racial reckoning, the rise of trust-based philanthropy, and program shifts at MacArthur. We take stock of how Palfrey’s done so far, and what’s next.Read More
September 28, 2023 As Funders Press Forward for Local Journalism, Doubts Persist Around the Role of Racial Equity September 28, 2023/ Dawn Wolfe Several criticisms have circulated around Press Forward, a recently-announced $500 million local news initiative backed by a host of funders. One issue stands out: its vague, noncommittal language around racial equity.Read More
September 27, 2023 An Expansive Survey Assesses Funders’ Surging Interest in Journalism — and Potential Growing Pains September 27, 2023/ Mike Scutari A comprehensive survey of journalism funders and nonprofits shows a field poised for expansion and highlights potential concerns over conflicts of interest. Researcher Jennifer Preston walks us through the findings.Read More
June 21, 2023 “Ask Yourself Those Hard Questions.” How — and Why — a Regional Funder Plans to Sunset June 21, 2023/ Mike Scutari James B. McClatchy Foundation just published a plan to spend down by 2030. CEO Priscilla Enriquez explains how they came to this decision, challenges along the way, and why funders are so protective of their assets.Read More
June 20, 2023 Inside a Media Funding Partnership to Get the Word Out about Early Childhood June 20, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen Backing journalism can be a powerful way for philanthropy to raise the profile of critical but neglected issues like early childhood care and education. Here’s one new example out of Los Angeles. Read More
February 21, 2023 “Part of the Solution.” How the American Journalism Project Is Galvanizing Support from Local Funders February 21, 2023/ Mike Scutari Philanthropic funding has emerged as a key revenue source for the revitalization of local journalism. The American Journalism Project is on the front lines, making a case for trusted news to local funders.Read More
February 10, 2023 Journalists Are Questioning the Idea of Objectivity. What’s Philanthropy’s Role in the Conversation? February 10, 2023/ Mike Scutari A new report argues that newsrooms should ditch the conventional idea of journalistic objectivity. Meanwhile, a lot of philanthropy-backed nonprofit media has already moved on to different paradigms.Read More
February 02, 2023 Omidyar’s Latest Effort to “Reimagine Capitalism” — Funding Intrepid Journalists February 02, 2023/ Connie Matthiessen The Omidyar Network’s Reporters in Residence program is backing journalists who cover economic issues neglected by the mainstream media. It’s the latest philanthropic effort to boost a struggling field — and spur systemic change.Read More
December 06, 2022 Want Your Giving to Make the Most Impact? Donate to Local Media December 06, 2022/ Nic Dawes and Mazin Sidahmed, Guest Contributors There are plenty of good reasons to donate to local nonprofit media. In this guest opinion, the leaders of two news outlets offer one you may not have considered — an outsized return on investment when it comes to impact.Read More
December 05, 2022 This Philanthropy-Backed Initiative Gives Aspiring Critics of Color a Leg Up December 05, 2022/ Wendy Paris With funding from the Mellon Foundation and others, Critical Minded is on a mission to build visibility for cultural critics of color. It’s aiming high with a New York Times partnership.Read More
December 01, 2022 Visual Storytellers and Journalists Face Growing Risks. What Can Funders Do to Protect Them? December 01, 2022/ Martha Ramirez Backed by the Ford Foundation and others, a recent report from the Safer Storytellers Project outlines the steps funders can take to protect creators from increasing attacks and threats to their safety.Read More
November 16, 2022 A Few Words of Warning About Funding Intermediaries and Philanthropy’s Leaky Bucket November 16, 2022/ Richard Tofel, Guest Contributor Journalism intermediaries have seen their budgets grow in recent years, but given limited resources, shouldn't more money go to news orgs directly? In this guest opinion, the former president of ProPublica makes the case.Read More
October 20, 2022 The Logan Legacy: Three Brothers Carry on the Philanthropic Work Their Parents Started October 20, 2022/ Celia Wexler With roots in Chicago, the Logan brothers — Richard, Jonathan and Daniel — all have their own foundations. They’re each carrying on and evolving a long legacy of giving that began with their late parents, David and Reva Logan.Read More
September 07, 2022 Galvanizing Local Support, Community Foundations Are Bringing News Deserts Back to Life September 07, 2022/ Mike Scutari Community foundations are emerging as key philanthropic partners for local news outlets. We discuss this promising trend with Todd Franko, Report for America’s director of local sustainability and development.Read More
August 30, 2022 How Is Philanthropy Backing Science Journalism? August 30, 2022/ Paul Karon The pandemic drove home the need for quality science journalism, but the field has struggled along with the rest of the industry. Here are a few ways key funders are supporting training and coverage.Read More
July 21, 2022 Funders Set Out to Advance Public Interest Technology. What’s the State of the Field? July 21, 2022/ Mike Scutari Funders like Ford and Hewlett have committed millions to develop a new field with the goal of using technology to serve the public good. We check in on their efforts thus far and opportunities moving forward.Read More
May 02, 2022 Good Reporting on Science and Health Is Becoming Ever More Vital. Who’s Supporting It? May 02, 2022/ Paul Karon Threats like pandemics and climate change underscore the crucial importance of accurate science and health reporting. Here are some of the funders supporting journalists in that work.Read More