Impact investing: a new frontier for journalism funding?

{ "name":"Impact investing: a new frontier for journalism funding?", "description":"https://www.festivaldelgiornalismo.com/programme/2025/impact-investing-a-new-frontier-for-journalism-funding In 2024, experts finally acknowledged that there are no magic solutions to rescue the journalism industry. Traditional advertising is insufficient, and membership models require significant scaling and resources. At the same time, donor funding has reached a plateau. In light of this daunting landscape, the question arises: where will new capital to support the growth and innovation of media businesses come from? In sectors focused on social good, such as financial inclusion and clean energy, impact investing—allocating capital to achieve social outcomes with below market rate returns—has been essential to close financing gaps. However, impact investors have largely avoided the journalism sector, perceiving it as high-risk and low-return. And, impact investing models are not well equipped to address the unique challenges faced by media organizations and news products, which typically deliver long-term, intangible value. Nevertheless, there are signs of a shift. Growing concern over declining news media has catalyzed a heightened focus on securing more effective funding and introducing new forms of capital for early-stage and growth-oriented media entrepreneurs. The critical question remains: how can the journalism sector unlock additional purpose-driven capital? Which financial instruments—such as revenue-based financing, results-based financing, equity grants, concessionary loans, or impact bonds—show the most promise for media companies at various stages of growth and scale? This panel will delve into the potential of impact investing to catalyze new capital and transform business models for the journalism industry. It will examine the demand side of the equation—exploring how to create investable media enterprises—as well as the supply side—identifying the financial instruments that are best suited for news outlets in different geographical and political contexts Moderated by Heather Gilberds. Organised in association with Center for International Media Assistance. ", "startDate":"2025-04-11", "endDate":"2025-04-11", "startTime":"14:00", "endTime":"14:50", "location":"Auditorium San Francesco al Prato - Perugia", "label":"Aggiungi al Calendario", "options":[ "Apple", "Google", "iCal", "Microsoft365", "Outlook.com", "Yahoo" ], "timeZone":"Europe/Rome", "timeZoneOffset":"+02:00", "iCalFileName":"IJF-Event-Impact-investing:-a-new-frontier-for-journalism-funding?" }