“Part of the Solution.” How the American Journalism Project Is Galvanizing Support from Local Funders

“Part of the Solution.” How the American Journalism Project Is Galvanizing Support from Local Funders

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.

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Journalists Are Questioning the Idea of Objectivity. What’s Philanthropy’s Role in the Conversation?

Journalists Are Questioning the Idea of Objectivity. What’s Philanthropy’s Role in the Conversation?

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.

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Omidyar’s Latest Effort to “Reimagine Capitalism” — Funding Intrepid Journalists

Omidyar’s Latest Effort to “Reimagine Capitalism” — Funding Intrepid Journalists

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.

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Want Your Giving to Make the Most Impact? Donate to Local Media

Want Your Giving to Make the Most Impact? Donate to Local Media

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.

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This Philanthropy-Backed Initiative Gives Aspiring Critics of Color a Leg Up

This Philanthropy-Backed Initiative Gives Aspiring Critics of Color a Leg Up

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.

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Visual Storytellers and Journalists Face Growing Risks. What Can Funders Do to Protect Them?

Visual Storytellers and Journalists Face Growing Risks. What Can Funders Do to Protect Them?

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.

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A Few Words of Warning About Funding Intermediaries and Philanthropy’s Leaky Bucket

A Few Words of Warning About Funding Intermediaries and Philanthropy’s Leaky Bucket

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.

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The Logan Legacy: Three Brothers Carry on the Philanthropic Work Their Parents Started

The Logan Legacy: Three Brothers Carry on the Philanthropic Work Their Parents Started

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.

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Galvanizing Local Support, Community Foundations Are Bringing News Deserts Back to Life

Galvanizing Local Support, Community Foundations Are Bringing News Deserts Back to Life

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.

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How Is Philanthropy Backing Science Journalism?

How Is Philanthropy Backing Science Journalism?

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.

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Funders Set Out to Advance Public Interest Technology. What’s the State of the Field?

Funders Set Out to Advance Public Interest Technology. What’s the State of the Field?

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.

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Good Reporting on Science and Health Is Becoming Ever More Vital. Who’s Supporting It?

Good Reporting on Science and Health Is Becoming Ever More Vital. Who’s Supporting It?

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.

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How a Foundation Is Helping Journalism Students Build Reporting Skills in a Rapidly Changing Field

How a Foundation Is Helping Journalism Students Build Reporting Skills in a Rapidly Changing Field

The Scripps Howard Foundation re-upped its support for two university journalism centers. A foundation rep explains why this work is important and how philanthropy can cultivate the next generation of investigative journalists.

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Where Is Facebook’s Journalism Funding Headed? Here’s What We Know

Where Is Facebook’s Journalism Funding Headed? Here’s What We Know

In 2017, Facebook launched the Facebook Journalism Project to help outlets adapt to the digital age. Five years, one rebranding, and hundreds of millions of dollars later, what does its support look like?

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This Chicago Journalism Merger Is a Breakthrough for Local News—and Funders Are Taking Note

This Chicago Journalism Merger Is a Breakthrough for Local News—and Funders Are Taking Note

Long-beleaguered and previously bankrupt, the storied Chicago Sun-Times has gotten a new lease on life by merging with a nonprofit public media company. Here’s how philanthropy helped make that happen.

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Seven Questions for Borealis Philanthropy President Amoretta Morris

Seven Questions for Borealis Philanthropy President Amoretta Morris

Last February, Amoretta Morris took the helm of the progressive grantmaking intermediary Borealis Philanthropy. We caught up with her to discuss the new role, why she’s optimistic about the state of philanthropy, and more.

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Big Grants for Topic-Specific Journalism Bring Opportunity, Concerns Over Independence

Big Grants for Topic-Specific Journalism Bring Opportunity, Concerns Over Independence

Funders usually shy away from providing substantial topic-specific support to media outlets. But a huge climate change grant to the Associated Press underscores the promise and pitfalls of such giving.

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Seven Questions for Ellen Alberding, President and CEO of the Joyce Foundation

Seven Questions for Ellen Alberding, President and CEO of the Joyce Foundation

Ellen Alberding leads the Chicago-based Joyce Foundation. We caught up with Alberding to discuss her career, why she’s optimistic about philanthropy, and the ubiquitous phenomenon of cats drifting into Zoom calls.

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Democracy Funders Are Forgetting About One of the Biggest Threats to Democracy

Democracy Funders Are Forgetting About One of the Biggest Threats to Democracy

More funders are awakening to the urgent need to protect American democracy. Guest authors from Report for America and the GroundTruth Project argue that funding local news is a critical but overlooked strategy.

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How Is “Omidyarism” Faring in an Age of Splashy Tech Giving?

How Is “Omidyarism” Faring in an Age of Splashy Tech Giving?

The Omidyars are among philanthropy’s most fascinating funders, but their giving has been rather muted lately. We look at their affiliated organizations’ grantmaking and weigh the potential effects of a contracting stock market.

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