Deadline: 29-Sep-2025
The Journalism Futures Fund was created by philanthropic foundations and individual donors in Canada to support independent journalism that strengthens civic life and democracy.
The focus areas of this funding opportunity include supporting journalistic excellence, equity and financial sustainability; focusing on small-to-medium journalism organizations that produce impactful journalism, have a track record of engagement with their audiences, and are led by members of communities underserved in Canadian media; increasing journalism organizations’ operational and financial resilience and deepening their engagement with audiences; and providing multi-year funding paired with capacity-strengthening support.
This fund was established to address the underrepresentation of communities in newsroom leadership and the negative social and cultural impacts of their stereotyping and erasure in news coverage. Supporting journalism by and for underrepresented communities helps rebuild trust in media, strengthen resistance to misinformation, increase the visibility of community priority issues and leadership, strengthen journalism outlets’ sustainability, visibility and influence, and broaden the pool of journalism leadership in Canada. It particularly supports small and medium community-serving media organizations with the ability to generate significant civic and democratic impacts relative to their resources.
Eligible journalism organizations must produce original journalism in English or French on any platform, be registered as for-profit or non-profit businesses in Canada, maintain independence from government and majority ownership by certain entities, and adhere to journalistic ethics guidelines. Priority goes to established organizations with a track record of at least a year, staffed by one to ten employees or freelancers, with an annual budget under CAD 1,000,000, and those serving or led by communities underrepresented in newsroom leadership and news coverage, including Black and racialized communities, Indigenous Peoples, newcomers, migrant workers, refugees, low-income communities, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, and those in Northern, rural or remote areas.
Applications will be evaluated on community listening, journalistic impact, representative leadership, and sustainability planning criteria. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit full applications in late October, with decisions announced in February 2026. Grants will range from CAD 50,000 to 200,000 annually for three years.
Eligible expenses include salaries, professional fees, meetings and events, travel within Canada, training, and administration up to 10% of the budget. Ineligible expenses include capital projects, supplies and equipment, retroactive funding, activities outside Canada, academic research, fundraising efforts, and religious or partisan political activities.
This funding opportunity aims to build capacity and resilience in Canadian journalism organizations to foster a stronger, more equitable media landscape.
For more information, visit Inspirit Foundation.