Journalism
Since 2019, Inspirit has actively supported independent journalism with the goal of advancing greater narrative power for communities historically underrepresented or misrepresented in Canadian media. This includes direct funding for journalism outlets and civil society organizations that support journalists, collaborative funding, knowledge sharing with key actors, as well as field building activities to help grow philanthropic support for journalism in Canada.
Why journalism?
In a well-functioning democracy, quality journalism disseminates trustworthy information into the public realm to help people understand the world around them. It helps hold power accountable. And at its best, it creates a forum where people from diverse backgrounds can engage in civic dialogue and have a say in decisions that affect their lives.
Journalism is also central to the origins of the Foundation. Inspirit was created from the assets from the sale of the VisionTV broadcast licence. The television station had an independent journalism unit that was anchored in storytelling and narratives that prioritized underrepresented voices.
Our Work
Inspirit’s journalism work spans the following areas:
Funding
Grants to newsrooms and organizations that advance a more equitable and sustainable
Mobilizing Capital
Collaborative initiatives to grow journalism philanthropy in Canada
Knowledge Sharing
Resources and opportunities to encourage dialogue between foundations, journalists and the Canadian media ecosystem
Funding
We have worked with and funded journalism organizations since 2019.
Grantee Partners
Our partners include emerging independent news outlets, projects that transform how journalism serves traditionally underrepresented communities, and sector organizations that advance a more equitable and sustainable journalism sector.
Mobilizing Capital
We are committed to helping grow journalism philanthropy in Canada. We led the development of the Journalism Futures Fund, Canada’s first collaborative philanthropic fund investing in independent media for a stronger democracy and civic life.
Journalism Futures Fund
The Journalism Futures Fund supports independent media organizations that produce impactful journalism, engage their audiences, have a strong vision for their future, and are led by members of communities that are underserved in media. Inspirit will steward the Fund in its pilot phase, from 2025 to 2030.
Knowledge Sharing
Our team co-creates resources and engagement opportunities to encourage dialogue between foundations, journalists, and other civil society actors.
Funding Journalism: A Guide to Philanthropic Support for Canadian Media
This resource provides practical tools for Canadian media interested in exploring philanthropy as a revenue source.
Funding Journalism: A Guide for Canadian Philanthropy
Contains practical information and tools for foundation staff and board members interested in funding journalism.
Funding Journalism, Strengthening Communities
Five case studies of philanthropic support for community-serving journalism in Canada.
Due to ongoing funding commitments with current grantees, we are not able to provide new funding at this time.
Inspirit’s principles for funding journalism:
Inspirit publicly names all funding partnerships with journalism organizations on our Grants page. We also require grantee partners to publicly name Inspirit as a supporter of their work on published materials and communications – print, digital, audio, and other media – as well as website, annual report, and other public facing materials where appropriate. This is for transparency.
Inspirit does not endorse, influence, edit, or vet content produced by journalist partners in advance of or following publication. Inspirit funding does not permit editorial involvement or endorsement of the content produced.
Inspirit requires that grantee partners employ all applicable ethical and/or journalistic standards applicable to the production and publication of content.
Journalism key terms
We define quality journalism as the act of original reporting that disseminates news and information that serve the public interest. Quality journalism is based on facts, is independent from the vested interests of those it covers, and demonstrates a commitment to accuracy and transparency in reporting methods, regardless of the platform.
We define equitable journalism as led by and serving the voices and communities who have been historically ignored, misrepresented or harmed by the media. A more equitable journalism sector requires a shift in industry culture and leadership, diverse newsrooms and editorial leadership, and addressing historic funding disparities, among other conditions. This evolving definition builds on exchanges with grantee partners and on the work of peers such as Borealis Philanthropy, Impact Architects and Democracy Fund.