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Winners announced for new multi-million-dollar Canadian journalism fund

Journalism Media Coverage

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TORONTO, February 19, 2026 — Inspirit Foundation, along with its partners, is proud to announce the inaugural winners of the Journalism Futures Fund.

The Journalism Futures Fund supports independent small- and medium-sized publications that produce impactful journalism, have a strong vision for their future, and are led by members of communities underserved in Canadian media. 

This inaugural round represents a historic $1.875 million philanthropic investment in independent media in Canada — with additional funding planned in the years ahead. 

The 2025-26 awardees of the Journalism Futures Fund are: 

Each organization will receive flexible, three-year grants ranging from $50,000 to $140,000 per year, along with capacity-strengthening support to help increase their operational and financial resilience and deepen their impact. 

“This grant offers an invaluable way to nurture and expand our journalism — and will allow us space to innovate and build on our existing storytelling, with stories that are important to Indigenous communities and all of ‘Canada,'” said Cara McKenna, Editorial Director, IndigiNews. 

“The Independent has long punched above its weight to produce impactful journalism in service of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Justin Brake, Editor-in-Chief, The Independent. “Now, with support from the Journalism Futures Fund, we will be able to hire a publisher to support our award-winning editorial team and help expand The Indy’s reach to diverse communities across the province.”  

Winners were selected by an independent jury of Canadian media leaders with deep expertise in areas relevant to the Fund’s mandate, with the support of nine independent reviewers.

The Journalism Futures Fund was created by a group of Canadian philanthropic foundations. Founding partners include Inspirit Foundation, McConnell Foundation, Euphrosine Foundation, and the Sonor Foundation. 

Learn more at journalismfuturesfund.org. 

ABOUT INSPIRIT FOUNDATION 

Inspirit Foundation advances racial, social and economic justice by investing our assets and funding media and arts for change. To learn more, visit inspiritfoundation.org and follow Inspirit on Instagram and LinkedIn.  

MEDIA CONTACT 

Jozef Agtarap  
Communications and Outreach Manager, Inspirit Foundation  
jagtarap@inspiritfoundation.org  
416-644-3600 ext. 7