Agenda

JFunders24 will feature two days of timely and inspiring programming, networking, and lots of funder discussions on the most pressing issues facing journalism and media today.

Check back for updates as we continue to shape this program.

OCTober 23: DAy 1

Morning Sessions

The Year of the Merger: Efforts to Solve Structural Challenges in Newsrooms
The year 2024 has been the year of increased consolidation in our sector. In our opening plenary, we’ll explore the motivations, challenges and opportunities that drive journalism mergers and acquisitions, all in the name of financial stability and operational effectiveness, and the pivotal role of grantmakers in supporting successful integrations.

Monika Bauerlein, CEO, Mother Jones
Kerri Hoffman, CEO, PRX
Nico Leone, President and CEO, KERA
Moderator: Kayce Ataiyero, Chief External Affairs Officer, Joyce Foundation

Tech Spotlight: Fact-Checking to Fight Disinformation
The rapid spread of misinformation has invited a cacophony of concerns, especially as generative AI has emerged as a leading culprit. But what if we could fight AI with AI? Winner of the 2024 Skoll Award for Social Innovation, Meedan has developed a powerful tool—Check—that leverages AI to help journalism organizations combat misinformation online. Check facilitates the collection of questions from news outlets’ websites, analyzes content using AI, and disseminates high-quality, factual information, particularly during crises, elections, and other critical events. When the AI cannot find information on a topic, it escalates the query to journalists for human-powered fact-checking.

Ed Bice, CEO and Board Chair, Meedan

Facing Change: Anna Sale on the End and New Beginning of “Death, Sex & Money”
Anna Sale, the acclaimed host of “Death, Sex & Money,” reflects on the emotional turmoil and unexpected opportunities that followed the abrupt cancellation of her show in 2023 due to budget cuts at WNYC. Anna’s story took a hopeful turn when “Death, Sex & Money” was picked up by Slate, allowing her to continue exploring “the big questions and hard choices that are often left out of polite conversation.” Here, Anna shares an intimate look at the aftermath of professional and personal upheaval.

Anna Sale, host of “Death, Sex & Money” podcast, Slate Magazine
Mikel Ellcessor, Executive & Personal Coach, Limina House

Snap Judgment’s New Chapter: Glynn Washington on Merging with KQED
Glynn Washington, the visionary founder of “Snap Judgment,” shares details about his journey from launching one of the most innovative storytelling radio shows and podcasts in 2010 to its recent merger with KQED.

AFTERNOON Sessions

Performance Spotlight Featuring SFJAZZ Collective
The SFJAZZ Collective has been pushing the boundaries of jazz for the last 20 years. In that time, the Collective has served as a bridge between jazz and the rest of the world, captivating audiences with its unique, unforgettable sound. For this musical performance, members of the Collective will perform original compositions inspired by the de Young Museum’s About Place collection, which explores how artists are experiencing and relating to climate change, immigration, LGBTQ+ movement, California droughts and fires, and more. Experience the intersection of art and music as the Collective brings these themes to life through their innovative compositions.

Staying Human-Centered in an Automated World
Tech is evolving faster than we can keep up, so how can funders stay grounded in their mission? In this conversation, Jean Westrick, Executive Director of Technology Association of Grantmakers, and Beth Kanter, nonprofit expert and co-author of “The Smart Nonprofit, will share insights on navigating the digital landscape while preserving the heart of your organization. Discover practical tips on how grantmakers can harness AI, build trust in a tech-driven world, and prioritize impact over innovation.

Jean Westrick, Executive Director, Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG)
Beth Kanter, Trainer, Facilitator and Author, “The Smart Nonprofit”

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

Generative AI: How it Works & Applications for Media Organizations
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, generative AI is a game-changing technology that promises to revolutionize the way media organizations operate. Join Tim Olson, Senior Vice President of Digital Strategic Operations at KQED, and Eric Dhan, Community Manager at PRX Podcast Garage at KQED, as they demystify the workings of generative AI, unveiling the principles behind large language models and discussing its transformative potential in the media landscape.

Tim Olson, SVP Strategic Digital Partnerships, KQED
Eric Dhan, Community Manager, PRX Podcast Garage, KQED

We’ll be adding more concurrent sessions soon. Check back for updates.

Media Grantmaking in a Changing Legal Landscape
The recent ruling against the Fearless Fund’s grant contest by a federal appeals court panel represents a significant act of judicial overreach that threatens the future of charitable giving in the United States. In a 2-to-1 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit determined that the Fearless Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Fearless Fund venture capital firm, could not continue providing $20,000 in grants to businesses owned by Black women. In response, the Fearless Foundation agreed to settle the case end its grant program. Join us for a crucial discussion with leaders in media philanthropy to explore the broader impact of this ruling on charitable efforts, potential effects on philanthropy, especially those supporting communities of color, and strategies for advancing racial justice despite these legal challenges.

Carlissia Graham, President, New Media Ventures
Khiara M. Bridges, Professor of Law, UC Berkeley School of Law
Martin Reynolds, Co-Executive Director, Maynard Institute
Moderator: Mina Kim, Host of “Forum,” KQED

Storytelling for Reparations: Amplifying Voices, Transforming Narratives
In our closing plenary, we’ll explore the intersection of media and reparative justice with a documentary project of the California Truth & Healing Council—established by California Gov. Newsom to re-examine and strengthen relations between the state of California and Native Americans. Through a close partnership with filmmaker Jacob Kornbluth, this documentary aims to educate and engage wider audiences about the diverse histories and nuances of California Indian Country, all while highlighting the importance of reversing cultural erasure.

Jacob Kornbluth, writer, director; co-founder, Inequality Media
Christina Snider-Ashtari, Tribal Affairs Secretary, California Governor’s Office of Tribal Affairs
Elena Chàvez Quezada, Senior Advisor for Social Innovation, Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
Moderator: Mina Kim, Host of Forum, KQED

October 24: Day 2

Check back for updates as we continue to shape this day’s programming.