When we think about the stressful news journalists generally cover, our mind is likely to go toward violent crime, family separations, corruption and so many more. And those are indeed stressful and can lead to burnout, and it’s what we hear a lot about at the Media Resilience Network.
But what about when you’re in charge of making sure those journalists can get paid for the work they do?
Fundraisers – sometimes that’s their main job, but many times, they’re raising money on top of being executive directors or newsroom leadership – face unrelenting pressure to just keep the lights on, much less generate the revenue necessary to expand the operation.
At this year’s Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit in Philadelphia, MDRNet hosted a discussion with approximately 30 fundraisers, editors and publishers to learn more about their work and how the pressures they face are impacting their mental well-being.
For many people taking on fundraising roles, the stress begins before they’ve secured a single dollar. Some attendees shared that they constantly have to adjust themselves to fit into what a funder expects only to be rejected months later.
There’s also a big struggle regarding the philanthropic system itself. As one attendee told the room, relying on wealthy donors and foundations to fund journalism feels unfair, which then creates an internal battle for those working within that system. Attendees also said some funders they speak with are afraid to support journalism right now.
And for those who have secured money, peace of mind doesn’t necessarily follow. New funding can trigger anxiety about long-term sustainability.
Instability and constant stress over fundraising is only exacerbated by having to “do more with less.” One attendee talked about having to wear multiple hats and being stressed that they couldn’t do the work they wanted to do.
“I’m a kick-ass reporter and editor, and I guess publisher, but I can’t sell anything, so I suck at that,” they said. “I suck at raising money … now I can’t do the stuff I’m really good at.”
When budget cuts inevitably hit, fundraisers told us they often battle a form of survivor’s guilt. They carry a weight of knowing their roles are being prioritized over the very journalists whose work they’re pitching to communities and funders. That pressure is compounded by some newsrooms adhering to keeping the mythical wall between business and editorial, isolating fundraisers from the newsrooms they help sustain.
Ultimately, the session served as a crucial reminder: the people in charge of securing journalists’ salaries and more also need to take care of themselves. We hear you and you’re not alone. Self-care is not a failure, but a necessity. If we’re going to sustain our newsrooms, we need to sustain ourselves.
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