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
January 19, 2023 “A Desire for Change.” Here are Five Ideas Animating an Evolving Museum Field January 19, 2023/ Mike Scutari The Arts Funders Forum recently held a virtual panel to discuss how museums can respond to calls for change and achieve greater social impact. Here are five compelling perspectives gleaned from the call’s esteemed participants.Read More
November 30, 2022 To Combat an "Urgent Threat," a Donor Couple Makes a Big Commitment to News Literacy November 30, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen Billionaire couple Melanie and Richard Lundquist are throwing their support behind the News Literacy Project to arm students and the public against mis- and disinformation.Read More
April 08, 2022 This Chicago Journalism Merger Is a Breakthrough for Local News—and Funders Are Taking Note April 08, 2022/ Katherine Don 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.Read More
March 18, 2021 In Good Faith: Seven Funders Backing Work to Bridge America’s Divides March 18, 2021/ Philip Rojc Philanthropic funding to bridge divides is tricky terrain. On one hand, it’s the very business of civil society. On the other, it can legitimize bad-faith actors and silence some voices. Here are seven funders navigating that space.Read More
January 21, 2021 “All the Tools in Our Toolbox.” What’s Next in Philanthropy’s Fight Against Misinformation? January 21, 2021/ Mike Scutari Joe Biden may be president, but in some ways, the fight against misinformation is only intensifying. Funders and nonprofit leaders lay out a roadmap for how philanthropy can most effectively tackle this problem in the year ahead.Read More
January 20, 2021 “The ‘Big Lie’ That Fanned the Flames.” Philanthropy’s Role in Fighting Misinformation January 20, 2021/ Mike Scutari The attack on the Capitol was a tragic manifestation of what happens when misinformation takes root. We check in with foundations and nonprofits about what philanthropy has been doing to curb false information, and its shortcomings.Read More
December 15, 2020 “Relevant to the Moment.” How Can Arts Organizations Engage Affluent Young Donors? December 15, 2020/ Mike Scutari Launched in 2018, the Art Funders Forum looks at ways arts organizations can inspire an emerging generation of young, affluent, and socially conscious philanthropists. We explore key ideas from the forum’s recent virtual summit.Read More
October 08, 2020 Looking Past the Pandemic, Journalism Funders Focus on Retention of New Readers October 08, 2020/ Mike Scutari Journalism outlets have enjoyed a surge of new readers hungry for trusted local news. A growing body of funder-generated insights provides a roadmap for outlets looking to retain new audiences—and potentially turn them into donors.Read More
July 22, 2020 Knight Reflects on its Prescient $50 Million Tech and Democracy Initiative July 22, 2020/ Mike Scutari A lot has happened since Knight launched its $50 million initiative to understand how technology is transforming our democracy. We check in with Knight’s John Sands as this forward-looking program makes its final round of grants.Read More
July 08, 2020 “Toward Greater Justice.” How Funders Are Supporting Artists in a Historic Moment July 08, 2020/ Mike Scutari George Floyd's death and protests that followed have galvanized artists across the country in support of racial justice. We check in with major U.S. arts funders to see how they are backing art emerging in this historic moment.Read More
July 07, 2020 Some Struggling News Outlets Want to Transition to a Nonprofit Model. It Won’t Be Easy July 07, 2020/ Mike Scutari The coronavirus, corporate bankruptcies and the looming presence of cost-cutting hedge funds have amplified calls for local dailies to transition to a nonprofit model. While this sounds promising, the devil, as they say, is in the details.Read More
May 15, 2020 With Local News in Peril, a Journalism Funder’s New CEO Has an Urgent Mission May 15, 2020/ Mike Scutari The American Journalism Project’s mission to create sustainable business models for news outlets is, sadly, more urgent than ever. We asked CEO Sarabeth Berman how COVID-19 is impacting local news and how AJP plans to help.Read More
April 21, 2020 “There is No Turning Back.” Philanthropy and Journalism After COVID-19 April 21, 2020/ Mike Scutari COVID-19 has amplified profound weaknesses across media and highlighted the need for outlets to transform themselves more rapidly. We check in with funders and advocates to sketch out a post-COVID journalism landscape.Read More
January 22, 2020 The Quiet Billionaire: How Phil Knight’s Giving Flies Under the Radar January 22, 2020/ John Freund Phil Knight is one of the richest people in the world and plans to give away most of his $40 billion fortune. Yet despite making nearly $4 billion in gifts already, his philanthropy hasn’t attracted much attention. What’s he up to? Read More
December 10, 2019 Knight’s Initiative on Tech and Democracy Comes into Sharper Focus December 10, 2019/ Mike Scutari Four months after the Knight Foundation announced its $50 million initiative, its work to develop a new field of research around technology’s impact on democracy is beginning to take shape. We check in with the team leading this work. Read More
July 30, 2019 Uncharted Waters: Millions to Find Answers About Democracy, Media, and Technology July 30, 2019/ Philip Rojc Dubbing the rise of digital communications and social media “the most profound shift in how we communicate with each other since Gutenberg,” the Knight Foundation aims to catalyze a new field of research on this revolution. Read More
March 05, 2019 Why Funders See Bolstering Local News as a Key to Rebuilding Public Trust in the Media March 05, 2019/ Mike Scutari A five-year, $300 million commitment from the Knight Foundation underscores the growing consensus among funders that a vibrant local news ecosystem is the best option available to reverse years of declining trust, and to “make democracy work.”Read More
February 12, 2019 Miami Rising: Two of the Funders Behind the City's Emergence an International Arts Hot Spot February 12, 2019/ Mike Scutari In a little over a decade, Miami has developed one of the country's most vibrant arts ecosystems. We take a closer look at the two funders most responsible for its rapid ascent: the Knight Foundation and real estate developer Jorge M. Pérez.Read More