Foundations & and the News Biz
Private foundations are becoming key players in the world of news and information by increasing their support for nonprofit journalism, according to a new report by the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication. The report, “Philanthropic Foundations: Growing Funders of the News,” points to an accelerating trend of foundations “getting into the business of supporting news-and-information nonprofits.” Funders, author David Westphal writes, are stepping in to fill a void created as for-profit media organizations struggle to stay afloat. And, he reports, the foundation-funded journalism of nonprofits like the Center on Public Integrity, ProPublica, and Center for Investigative Reporting – covering everything from the federal stimulus package to immigration, without regard for profit – is on a roll. (Tip of the Hat/PND.)