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.
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 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.
Embedded 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.
Meet our team >
