ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (November 9, 2026) — The Poynter Institute has released a new toolkit to help foundations and other journalism funders navigate conflicts of interest that traditional policies may not address.

Philanthropic support for journalism can create complex relationships. Foundation board members, staff and donors can often have deep ties to organizations that the newsrooms they support report on. These relationships are not inherently problematic, but without clear policies, they can put reputations, editorial independence and public trust at risk.

The free resource, “Navigating Conflicts of Interest for Journalism Funders: A Policy Toolkit,” offers practical guidance, a customizable policy and real-world scenarios to help funders protect the credibility of both their organizations and the newsrooms they support.

Developed by Poynter faculty member Megan Griffith-Greene and Poynter senior vice president Kelly McBride , chair of the Newmark Ethics Center, the toolkit draws on Poynter’s…