Methodology
Philea collected data for this study between May and October 2025 through a survey distributed to over 250 organisations identified as potential funders of journalism and media. Drawing on the Journalism Funders Forum’s (JFF) long‑standing knowledge and networks, the survey targeted a higher number of organisations in countries where the Forum is particularly well connected, such as the Netherlands. As a result, the higher response rates from these and other northern European countries might reflect the composition of the outreach rather than underlying geographic trends in journalism funding.
We defined the questionnaire and its categories in consultation with the JFF Steering Committee and a dedicated task force composed of funders and external experts. In addition to the survey, we organised three sense‑making sessions with funders and other key actors in the field to enrich the analysis.
After reviewing all submissions, 71 responses were validated, resulting in an effective response rate of 28.4%. All responses are anonymous.
To reach our final sample of 36 organisations, we carried out the following process with the pool of 71 validated responses:
- Of the total respondents, 18% (13 organisations) do not fund journalism and media. Reasons for non‑funding include misalignment with strategic priorities; limited budgets or competing funding priorities; and concerns about reputational risk or public perception.
- A further 4% (3 organisations) fund journalism and media, but not in Europe.
- For this online report, we excluded all of the organisations listed above, leaving a pool of 55 organisations.
- From this sub‑sample of 55 organisations, we identified those that raise external funds in order to provide grants for journalism and media (17). To avoid the double counting that would result if the fundraising organisations were included, particularly around expenditure in journalism and media, we excluded these organisations from the in‑depth analysis on journalism and media funding.
- We also excluded 2 organisations that are not considered philanthropic organisations, as their inclusion would compromise data relevance.
Further segmented analysis of the excluded organisations will follow in an extended report, adding, for example, relevant pooled funds, intermediaries and re‑granters that participated in the study.
Terminology
The following definitions and matrix categories were developed in collaboration with the JFF Steering Committee and external consultants for the purpose of this survey.
Terms
Europe: We refer to the continent of Europe as a whole, including countries such as the UK, and therefore not limited to the European Union or a narrower political definition.
Intermediary: An organisation acting as a bridge between funders and grantees. This type of organisation helps design, manage and sometimes evaluate funding programmes, bringing expertise, networks and local knowledge to the process.
Pooled fund: A funding mechanism where multiple donors contribute to a shared fund that is managed collectively, often by an intermediary.
Re-granter: A specific type of intermediary that receives funding from foundations and then distributes those funds to other organisations or individuals through sub-grants. An example is Journalismfund Europe.
Unsolicited support: Philanthropic funding or non-financial support offered proactively by a donor to an organisation, project, or individual, without the recipient having applied for it through an open call or formal proposal process.
Matrix categories
Size
Small-sized media company: Fewer than 21 employees.
Medium-sized company: 21 to 50 employees.
Large-sized company: More than 50 employees.
Type
For-profit media operate to make a profit, usually through advertising, subscriptions or sponsorships.
Non-profit media are funded by donations, grants, or foundations, aiming to serve the public interest rather than make a profit.
Public media are funded and overseen by the public (often through government support) to provide accessible, impartial content for all citizens.
Citizen journalism is news and information shared by ordinary people/citizens, often through social media or blogs, rather than by professional journalists.
Geography
Local media primarily operate within a specific city, town, or region.
National media produce and distribute content primarily aimed at a country-wide audience, covering topics such as national news, politics, culture and current events.
International/transnational media operate primarily across national borders and serve audiences in multiple countries, often reporting on global issues with an international editorial outlook.
Exiled media are based outside their country of origin, typically due to political pressure, censorship or threats, with the aim of providing independent news and information to audiences in their home country.