KEY INSIGHTS

NOT A SAVIOUR BUT A CONNECTOR

In Europe, neither engaged journalism nor foundation funding will save the media industry. However, both will give European journalism organisations an essential opportunity to reconnect with audiences and plot a new path towards sustainability. Adam Thomas, Director of the European Journalism Centre

FROM FRAGILE TO FINANCIALLY STABLE

The field has moved from precarious financial footing to a measure of stability and growth. Though many individual outlets remain financially fragile, more than half of the US non-profit organisations generated revenues of $500,000 or more in fiscal year 2017 and well over a third generated $1 million or more. INN

WEANING YOURSELF FROM THE FOUNDATION

Because of the uncertainty of foundation funding, many non-profit news sites are attempting to ramp up their incomes through membership programmes and boost the donations they get from individual donors. That strategy makes them less dependent on foundations and other big philanthropies. Birnbauer

BRINGING EUROPEAN FUNDERS AND MEDIA TOGETHER

The Journalism Funders Forum (JFF) in Europe is an initiative that brings philanthropic foundations and public-sector institutions together with journalists and news organisations in order to exchange best practice and to develop new pathways for supporting an independent and quality-oriented journalism sector. European Journalism Centre

YOU HAVE TO BE BLUNT

“People see the ‘Donate' button, but they don't click on the button. You have to tell them: ‘If you value us, please donate to us.'” Christina Shih, COO of the News Revenue Hub