Philanthropic Partnerships

Partnering for stronger journalism

As disinformation explodes and the societal impacts of a declining media industry reverberate around the world, the need for independent and trusted journalism has never been greater.

To help shape a better future for society and the planet, AFP is partnering with philanthropic organisations to provide in-depth reporting on the most vital issues facing humanity.

With foundation support, AFP delivers world-class, impactful journalism from around the world while also strengthening the global media community.

What foundations get from AFP

By partnering with AFP, foundations leverage the power of one of the world’s most trusted and biggest global media organisations.

NETWORK: AFP’s unparalleled network of 1,700 journalists in 150 countries provides impartial, independent and verified multimedia content in six languages. The agency’s network connects trends and actions around the world, giving it a unique ability to report with a global perspective.
REACH: AFP is a trusted source for a global client base of more than 4,000 media, government, institutional, and corporate organisations. Partnering with AFP ensures philanthropic supported content reaches hundreds of millions of people every day across all political and social spectrums, as well as top policymakers.
BOOTS ON THE GROUND: AFP’s journalists go straight to the source of the story, speaking directly to witnesses and newsmakers in their own language, then delivering their stories to the world.
COMMITMENT: AFP reports on the most vital issues facing humanity, including the future of the planet, the future of democracy, disinformation and the digital world, as core priorities.
CREDIBILITY: As guaranteed by its founding statute, AFP speaks with an independent voice free of political, commercial or ideological influence. AFP has also built the world’s largest factchecking network, enhancing its brand and credibility as a source of verified news.
IMPACT: AFP’s award-winning video journalists, photographers, text reporters, digital-investigation experts, data analysts and graphic designers shape public opinion and influence decision-makers in the countries they report from and further afield.
SUPPORT: AFP uses its strength and global network to support the wider media ecosystem, furthering its charter principles of promoting pluralism.

Projects

AFP partners with foundations for a wide range of projects, such as:

Investigative and in-depth reporting
Expanding coverage in under-reported areas
Collaborations and partnerships with other media outlets
Training, fellowships and other forms of media capacity building

Independence and ethics

AFP adheres to a code of ethics for its philanthropic partnerships that ensures the principles of the agency’s charter and statute are respected.

The agency’s full list of charters and standards principles are available here.

The team

Karl Malakunas as Head of Philanthropic Partnerships is leading the initiative. Karl is an Emmy-nominated and multi-award-winning journalist, newsroom leader and documentary filmmaker. He won the Walkley Award, Australia’s version of a Pulitzer, for an investigative documentary on environmental defenders in the Philippines. Karl has worked as a journalist and newsroom manager for AFP for nearly 25 years and established the agency’s Asia-Pacific fact-checking network.

Jon Dillon is Deputy Head of Philanthropic Partnerships at AFP. With over 30 years of service collaborating with AFP's editorial, product, and operational teams, Jon has led transformational projects and innovation in the face of an evolving media landscape. Jon will play a key role in supporting the agency's philanthropic work, with a focus on operations, impact reporting, stakeholder relations, and community building.

Interested in learning more?

AFP's partners

Foundations that have supported, or are currently supporting, AFP:

Rockefeller Foundation
Gulbenkian Foundation
Mark Leonard Trust
The JJ Charitable Trust