Borealis Philanthropy’s Racial Equity in Journalism Fund Awards $4.33 Million to 56 News Organizations Serving Communities of Color and Defending Our Democracy

Since its founding in 2020, Borealis Philanthropy’s Racial Equity in Journalism (REJ) Fund has remained steadfast in its commitment to resourcing the community-rooted media ecosystem as an antidote to mis- and disinformation and as an expansive resource hub driving lasting socioeconomic change in underinvested communities. This month, the Fund awarded $4.33 million in unrestricted grants to 56 news organizations serving Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, and Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) communities across the country.

Throughout history, journalism serving these communities has ensured access to accurate, holistic, and dynamic stories, information, and insight. These media organizations exist as creative, innovative alternatives to a mainstream status quo that, for too long, has muted, distorted, and ignored the information and economic needs of BIPOC communities. This erasure and misrepresentation have made space for continued oppression and harm, as well as escalating authoritarianism that threatens the promise of a multiracial democracy for all of us.

The REJ Fund’s grantmaking aims to sustain this access so Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, and SWANA people have the news and information needed to navigate today’s evolving geographies, political landscapes, and social systems. Robust BIPOC-serving journalism helps ensure everyone outside those communities remains accurately informed as well. 

As multiracial communities and the principles of democracy continue to come under attack, these frontline media organizations are rewriting the narratives that breed injustice. Please join us in celebrating and supporting their critical work! 

The REJ Fund is deeply grateful for the donors and partners whose support makes this work possible. 

In 2025, the Fund remains the largest multi-local, national fund exclusively grantmaking to BIPOC-serving newsrooms. As an intermediary fund within Borealis Philanthropy, we’re uniquely positioned in the journalism sector to connect, convene, and strengthen the BIPOC journalism ecosystem—from legacy to emergent journalism, traditional to movement journalism, and publishers to field builders and community organizations. 

We invite funders to join the Borealis community to pool and move resources to the frontlines of community-centered journalism. To learn more about partnering with us, please connect with us at development@borealisphilanthropy.org.