Journalism & Media
The MacArthur Foundation's Journalism & Media program funds research and organizations advancing independent, inclusive journalism to strengthen democracy and equity in the U.S. and globally.
Funder: MacArthur Foundation
Due Dates: No fixed deadlines; unsolicited proposals are not currently accepted.
Funding Amounts: Representative grants range from $600,000–$2,000,000 over multi-year periods; total program investment exceeds $311M since 2015.
Summary: Supports independent, inclusive journalism and media that inform, engage, and activate the public to strengthen democracy and advance equity.
Key Information: The program is not accepting unsolicited proposals at this time; contact the Foundation to share ideas.
Description
The Journalism & Media program of the MacArthur Foundation aims to strengthen democracy and promote a more equitable future by supporting an independent, just, and inclusive media ecosystem in the United States and internationally. The program invests in journalism and media efforts that foster deep understanding of current events, highlight underreported or misunderstood issues, amplify independent voices, and encourage civic engagement and public discourse. Funding is directed toward organizations working in three main areas: Professional Nonprofit Reporting, Nonfiction Multimedia Storytelling, and Participatory Civic Media.
Through its grantmaking, the program seeks to build strong, sustainable organizations, address barriers to media participation (such as legal, safety, and technological challenges), and promote innovation, leadership, and field-building in journalism and media. The Foundation prioritizes efforts that challenge social norms, investigate institutional actions, explore policy implications, and create opportunities for collective action on pressing contemporary issues.
