Strategies To Seek Funding For Investigative Journalism
September 8, 2026
We are in a challenging environment for investigative journalism. The need for investigative reporting exceeds reliable funding sources for it in many parts of the world. Nonetheless, investigative journalists are approaching the challenges with creativity and resilience, and have multiple paths to explore to seek funding. This session will provide a kind of decision tree or logic to help journalists determine what paths may be worth exploring to find story and project funding in their region or topic. Our talk is aimed at individual journalists who have not done fundraising for their work and are seeking advice on where to get started. We’ll explore key considerations and pathways you can choose depending on your circumstances to explore funding options and pursue those that may fit for you and support the journalism you seek to produce.
This session will not provide suggestions or lists of specific funding sources. Funding options vary greatly by country, region and even your own individual situations. However, a tip sheet will provide links to global organizations that can help you research grant options, examples of journalism networks and networked funders and some other tips.
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026
Time: 4:30 pm CET / 10:30 am US ET (What time is it in my city?)
Speaker’s bio: Sue Cross is an award-winning journalist and a leading social entrepreneur in news media, advising journalists, philanthropists, investors and civic leaders on strategic ways to save and reinvent public access to trusted information. From 2015 to 2024, she led the US nonprofit news sector as CEO of the Institute for Nonprofit News, growing its network from a few dozen newsrooms to nearly 500 organizations supporting more than 4,000 journalists. She previously held senior roles at the Associated Press, launching digital video services and expanding the wire’s Spanish-language news offerings. Cross speaks and consults globally on news startup strategies, funding models and organizational leadership, and serves on the boards of Stanford’s Knight Journalism Fellowships and NYU’s Brennan Center State Court Report, among others.
GIJN Academy provides free trainings, webinars and workshops to investigative journalists around the world with special attention to those from repressive regimes and marginalized communities. Your support helps us keep training opportunities like this one free and accessible to everyone.