How we work

The International Fund provides direct grants to media outlets and develops strategic partnerships to develop new solutions and create lasting change to support public interest media where the need is greatest.  

We operate in low and middle-income markets across four regions: Africa and the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe.

From core funding to systemic solutions at scale

Our direct grants provide a lifeline for media organizations in low- and middle-income countries and enable these organizations to build for the future. Our core funding gives outlets the flexibility to adapt, innovate, and strengthen their editorial independence. Results from IFPIM grantees demonstrate that this funding is helping grantees to increase their revenue and audience reach.
 
Complex market challenges can only be solved through collective action and systemic solutions. We develop strategic partnerships with industry associations, academics, technologists and policymakers to unlock new funding models, attract more investment to the media sector, and push for fairer regulation between tech platforms and media.

Scalable funding and sustainable solutions

Our direct grants provide a lifeline for media organizations in low- and middle-income countries and enable these organizations to build for the future. Our core funding gives outlets the flexibility to adapt, innovate, and strengthen their editorial independence. Results from IFPIM grantees demonstrate that this funding is helping grantees to increase their revenue and audience reach.

Complex market challenges can only be solved through collective action and systemic solutions. We develop strategic partnerships with industry associations, academics, technologists and policymakers to unlock new funding models, attract more investment to the media sector, and push for fairer regulation between tech platforms and media.

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Evolving business models

While there is broad consensus that fact-based, independent journalism is critical to informed publics, functioning democracies, and development progress, significant international support has not yet been made available: Only 0.3% of overseas deunctioning democracies, and development progress, significant international support has not yet been made availvelopment assistance (ODA) — around USD $430 million — goes to supporting media globally.

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International and multilateral

The International Fund launched in 2022 with a rallying call to dramatically increase global support to counter the existential crisis faced by public interest media in low- and middle-income countries. As the only multilateral financing mechanism devoted to this purpose, we offer a vehicle for governments, corporates, philanthropy and civil society to demonstrate their united support for fact-based public interest information.  

In 2025, the International Fund was incorporated as an independent International Organization hosted by France. The International Fund pools funding from governments, foundations and the private sector to sustain media that serve the public interest alive and thriving in the future. Structured for scale, we are designed to manage hundreds of grants with minimal overhead.

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International and multilateral

The International Fund launched in 2022 with a rallying call to dramatically increase global support to counter the existential crisis faced by public interest media in low- and middle-income countries. As the only multilateral financing mechanism devoted to this purpose, we offer a vehicle for governments, corporates, philanthropy and civil society to demonstrate their united support for fact-based public interest information.

In 2025, the International Fund was incorporated as an independent International Organization hosted by France. The International Fund pools funding from governments, foundations and the private sector to sustain media that serve the public interest alive and thriving in the future. Structured for scale, we are designed to manage hundreds of grants with minimal overhead.

Independent and strongly governed

The International Fund’s governance model rests on three bodies: A Council, Board and Secretariat. This governance structure is the cornerstone of our innovative model of effective multilateralism. It enables us to retain the independence, flexibility and ability to take on strategic risks required to finance media outlets and develop structural solutions in difficult contexts. The International Fund's Board is co-chaired by Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize winner and co-founder and CEO of Rappler, and Sir Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide.

The Board is the body responsible for the overall strategy, impact, and performance of the Fund, including ensuring that IFPIM’s funding decisions are made independently.  

The 17-member Council is the governance body composed of institutional representatives of governments, funders, and private actors. It is majority Global South and responsible for accountability and oversight. The Council ensures that the International Fund operates within its mandate and that its financial resources are safeguarded. The Council also evaluates progress against the Board-approved strategy and offers recommendations for the next strategic period.

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Independent and strongly governed

The International Fund’s governance model rests on three bodies: A Council, Board and Secretariat. This governance structure is the cornerstone of our innovative model of effective multilateralism. It enables us to retain the independence, flexibility and ability to take on strategic risks required to finance media outlets and develop structural solutions in difficult contexts. The International Fund is co-chaired by Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize winner and co-founder and CEO of Rappler, and Sir Mark Thompson, Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide

Engaged in each region we cover

We design solutions that meet grantees where they are. We fund organizations in over 30 countries and operate across four regions: Africa and the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe. With staff based in over 10 countries, we are deeply embedded in our markets of operation and partner with experts to understand different communities and their evolving needs.

Agile, decentralised and embedded in the places where we fund

We design solutions that meet grantees where they are. We fund organizations in over 30 countries and operate across four regions: Africa and the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe. With staff based in over 10 countries, we are deeply embedded in our markets of operation and partner with experts to understand different communities and their evolving needs.

See the Grantees

NTV

NTV (Mongolia) is a leading TV organization in Mongolia that has been operating for over 17 years. Its public interest reporting has had a major impact on society by exposing politicians who use public funds for personal use and uncovering poor health and safety conditions in public spaces and schools. The grant will enable the organization to address critical gaps in data and digital capabilities, provide professional development opportunities for staff, and establish new processes and products aimed at expanding revenue streams and reaching a wider audience.

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Nexo Jornal

Nexo (Brazil) is a trailblazing independent news outlet, popular with younger audiences, that fuses high-quality, balanced reporting with creative and experimental formats. The grant from the International Fund funding will help Nexo grow the production and distribution of its journalistic content and expand its audience reach throughout the country.

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See the Grantees

Project Multatuli

Project Multatuli is a collective initiative in Indonesia dedicated to carrying out the ideals of public journalism by serving the underreported and holding power accountable. The name Multatuli comes from the Latin word that means, "I have suffered much", representing their goal as a public interest journalism organization that seeks to empower marginalized groups. The outlet produces data-based, deeply researched news stories and often collaborates with other news organizations, research bodies, and civil society groups. Their work is available for syndication by local, national, and international media under a Creative Commons license. The International Fund's support will enable Project Multatuli to expand its reach by tapping younger audiences, and build a stronger membership model.

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See All
See the Grantees

NTV

NTV (Mongolia) is a leading TV organization in Mongolia that has been operating for over 17 years. Its public interest reporting has had a major impact on society by exposing politicians who use public funds for personal use and uncovering poor health and safety conditions in public spaces and schools. The grant will enable the organization to address critical gaps in data and digital capabilities, provide professional development opportunities for staff, and establish new processes and products aimed at expanding revenue streams and reaching a wider audience.

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See All
See the Grantees

Nexo Jornal

Nexo (Brazil) is a trailblazing independent news outlet, popular with younger audiences, that fuses high-quality, balanced reporting with creative and experimental formats. The grant from the International Fund funding will help Nexo grow the production and distribution of its journalistic content and expand its audience reach throughout the country.

See All
See the Grantees

Project Multatuli

Project Multatuli is a collective initiative in Indonesia dedicated to carrying out the ideals of public journalism by serving the underreported and holding power accountable. The name Multatuli comes from the Latin word that means, "I have suffered much", representing their goal as a public interest journalism organization that seeks to empower marginalized groups. The outlet produces data-based, deeply researched news stories and often collaborates with other news organizations, research bodies, and civil society groups. Their work is available for syndication by local, national, and international media under a Creative Commons license. The International Fund's support will enable Project Multatuli to expand its reach by tapping younger audiences, and build a stronger membership model.

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See All