Media Forward Fund gGmbH

The Media Forward Fund is a philanthropic initiative dedicated to promoting media diversity and independent journalism in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The goal is to contribute to more high-quality journalism with sustainable business models that publishes strong, trustworthy content and is financed in the long term. A particular focus is on target groups that have previously been underserved by the media.

The fund supports media organizations that are committed to the common good and pursue innovative approaches to strengthen their financial sustainability. This is done through the provision of financial resources and supplementary support services such as CAPACITY BUILDING. The Media Forward Fund offers both a general funding line and thematic funding lines, with a current focus on science and data journalism. Further thematic funding lines are planned for the future, for example in the areas of climate, environment and health.

The mission of the Media Forward Fund is to strengthen independent journalism and thus contribute to democracy. Projects are supported that are characterized by transformation, user orientation, diversity, independence and quality. The fund attaches importance to an independent jury that decides on the allocation of funding on the basis of clear criteria.

The Media Forward Fund was founded on the initiative of various foundations and impact investors and is supported by start-up funding from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. The next call for applications will start in August 2025.

1. https://www.mediaforwardfund.org/en
2. https://www.mediaforwardfund.org/en/about-us
3. https://www.mediaforwardfund.org/en/apply
4. https://www.mediaforwardfund.org/en/news
5. https://www.mediaforwardfund.org/en/apply/general-funding-line
6. https://www.mediaforwardfund.org/en/grantees
7. https://www.mediaforwardfund.org/en/faq
8. https://www.mediaforwardfund.org/en/events
9. https://www.mediaforwardfund.org/en/apply/funding-line-for-science-and-data-journalism