New guides demystify and encourage philanthropic support for journalism in Canada

By ANA SOFÍA HIBON and APRIL LINDGREN

Philanthropic support for journalism in Canada is in its infancy, but evidence to date suggests that even on a modest scale it can propel powerful reporting that makes a difference.

Foundations in Canada are tentatively stepping up with funding to help address the financial and technical disruptions that have undermined the production of civic, investigative and other forms of journalism essential to democracy society.

By our count, at least three dozen Canadian foundations have now funded the activities of media outlets. Support is constrained, however, by two realities. The first is that demand for charitable services is at an all-time high, so there is major competition for scarce philanthropic dollars. The second is that news organizations and organized philanthropy are still relative strangers. For a culture of philanthropic giving to journalism to thrive, the two sides need to become better acquainted.

This need for mutual understanding is the premise behind Funding Journalism, a bilingual series of publications designed to demystify journalism philanthropy in Canada. Inspirit Foundation, in partnership with the Local News Research Project at Toronto Metropolitan University, the Canadian Association of Journalists and Philanthropic Foundations Canada, Canada’s national philanthropic network, created the three resources over the past 18 months.

Read the rest of this article on the Alliance website, where it was originally published.