In a significant blow to the non-profit journalism sector, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has announced it will cease funding its ambitious $100 million digital media initiative after just six years of operation.
The foundation's bold experiment, which launched in 2016 with the goal of creating a sustainable network of digital news outlets, will conclude its support for the remaining five organisations by the end of 2024. This decision marks a dramatic shift from the foundation's initial vision of building a resilient ecosystem of public-interest media.
The Rise and Fall of a Media Vision
When MacArthur unveiled its nine-figure commitment, it was hailed as a potential game-changer for digital journalism. The foundation selected nine promising outlets across the United States, including notable names like The Texas Tribune, ProPublica, and The Center for Public Integrity.
Kathy Im, MacArthur's director of journalism and media, acknowledged the disappointment, stating: "Our hope was that by providing significant, long-term funding, we could help these organisations achieve financial sustainability. While some have succeeded, others continue to face substantial challenges in today's difficult media landscape."
Mixed Results Across the Network
The outcomes have varied dramatically among the initial grantees:
- Success stories: Outlets like The Texas Tribune have flourished, building diverse revenue streams
- Closures: Several recipients, including The New Food Economy and LAist (temporarily), have ceased operations
- Ongoing struggles: Remaining organisations face an uncertain future without MacArthur's support
Broader Implications for Journalism Funding
This withdrawal comes at a particularly challenging time for digital media. Many outlets are confronting:
- Declining advertising revenue
- Shifting audience habits
- Increased competition for philanthropic dollars
- Economic uncertainty affecting all funding sources
The foundation's decision raises important questions about the role of major philanthropic organisations in supporting public-interest journalism and whether short-term injections of capital can create lasting change in an industry facing systemic challenges.
As the remaining five organisations prepare for their final MacArthur Foundation disbursements, the journalism community watches closely, wondering what this means for the future of non-profit news and whether new models for sustainable journalism will emerge from this transition.
