Here’s an example of how we fund nature journalism.
Mongabay is a nonprofit media outlet that relies on grants and donations, rather than advertising or a paywall, to bring our audience news and inspiration from nature’s frontline.
I’m often asked how this works. The short answer is that we’re constantly pitching donors to secure support for our projects and programs. One example:
In 2022, we approached an individual about a reporting project on wild cats, aiming to spotlight the world’s lesser-known felids — small cats that often slip under the radar of global conservation efforts. Mongabay’s pitch was straightforward yet compelling: although overshadowed by their larger cousins like tigers and lions, these wild cats play vital roles in ecosystems and deserve attention. The project’s mission was to produce feature articles on each species, amplifying not only their plight but also the work of the scientists striving to protect them.
In its first year of the project, Mongabay produced 107 articles and 17 short-form videos in six languages, covering more than 20 wild cat species, including the elusive black-footed cat of Africa and the jaguarundi of Central and South America. The reporting covered a wide range of issues, from habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict to conservation solutions like wildlife underpasses and ecotourism initiatives.
But it wasn’t just the volume of content that stood out; it was the impact. In Nepal, for instance, a Mongabay article sparked national and international media attention about sport hunting of tigers ahead of World Tiger Day. In India, one of the country’s leading tiger experts praised Mongabay’s coverage for highlighting “Godfatherless” species — those without the public champions typically enjoyed by larger, more charismatic animals.
The project also provided opportunities for a network of journalists, with 18 contributors across Mongabay’s bureaus gaining valuable experience and mentorship. The wild cat series has become one of Mongabay’s most successful editorial initiatives, with interest from both writers and readers outpacing expectations.
The donor was also pleased with the ripple effect of the reporting: “This gift to the wild cats of the world has been one of my most satisfying, and with one of my highest returns on investment. I had a strong feeling these articles would be very popular. I am also happy for Mongabay.”
Wild cat feeds:
Mongabay News
Mongabay Latam
Mongabay-India
Mongabay-Indonesia
Mongabay Brasil
