IFCN Business Continuity Fund

The Business Continuity Fund is a grant initiative established by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at Poynter to provide rapid financial assistance to fact-checking organizations facing disruptions caused by natural disasters, civil unrest, military conflicts or state repression. This fund aims to ensure the operational stability, safety and well-being of fact-checkers during challenging times, allowing them to continue their vital work of combating misinformation.

The Fund offers:

Mini-Grants of up to $5,000 for immediate needs such as temporary housing, mental health support and urgent repairs.

Major Expense Grants of up to $20,000 for larger recovery efforts, including infrastructure restoration, equipment replacement and staff relocation.

Fact-checking organizations are eligible for up to $20,000 in funding per incident, which is inclusive of up to two mini-grants. 

The Business Continuity Fund builds on IFCN’s established Legal Defense Fund, with the support of Meta, underscoring a shared commitment to empowering the global fact-checking community. Fact-checkers eligible for this Fund are those that adhere to the rigorous standards set forth by the IFCN Code of Principles.

The program is designed to not only address immediate operational needs but also to provide broader support for the resilience of the fact-checking community. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by a selection committee comprising IFCN staff and representatives of the IFCN advisory board.

If you are facing an ongoing emergency, please contact any IFCN staff member for assistance in filing an application. 

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Eligibility Criteria

The Business Continuity Fund is designed to support fact-checking organizations that are verified signatories of the IFCN Code of Principles. Eligible applicants include organizations that adhere to IFCN’s rigorous standards of transparency, accountability and nonpartisanship and are facing significant operational challenges due to external disruptions.

Organizations that qualify for this Fund may include those operating in regions impacted by:

• Natural disasters: Such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes or other environmental crises that directly disrupt the organization’s infrastructure, staff or operations.
• Civil unrest or military conflicts: Situations involving political instability, protests or violence that impede the organization’s ability to function safely and effectively.
• State repression or government actions that disrupt business operations:  Actions such as censorship, harassment or restrictive laws targeting independent media and fact-checking organizations.
• High-risk environments: Working in other high-risk environments where their mission to produce high-quality journalism exposes them to increased vulnerability.

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Requirements

To be considered for the Business Continuity Fund, organizations must meet the following prerequisites:

• IFCN verification: Applicants must be verified signatories of the IFCN Code of Principles, maintaining their commitment to nonpartisanship, transparency, and integrity in fact-checking.
• Qualifying event: Applicants must demonstrate that their operations have been directly impacted or are at imminent risk of being disrupted by a specific qualifying event. This includes providing:
  • A detailed explanation of the event, such as the type of disruption, its timeline and its impact on organizational operations.
  • Supporting documentation, such as photos, reports or communications evidencing the disruption.
• Proposed use of funds: Applicants must submit a clear, itemized budget explaining how the requested funds will be utilized to address the disruption. Eligible uses include:
  • Emergency housing or staff relocation.
  • Repair or replacement of damaged equipment.
  • Establishing or restoring internet and communication capabilities.
  • Providing employee wellness support specific to the event.
• Commitment to compliance: Organizations must agree to abide by the terms of the fund, including:
  • Restrictions on fund use (e.g., no political campaigning or lobbying).
  • Adhering to reporting and accountability requirements, including submitting a final report on fund usage.

The following are not eligible for the Fund:

• Organizations that are not verified IFCN signatories or that have failed to maintain their verification status.
• Organizations engaged in activities that violate international laws or IFCN values.
• Individuals or organizations applying for purposes unrelated to addressing operational disruptions caused by qualifying events.

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Terms and Conditions

The following Terms and Conditions outline the requirements and responsibilities for participating in the Business Continuity Fund Grant Program. By applying for and accepting a grant, recipients agree to abide by these Terms, which govern the use of funds, reporting obligations and compliance expectations.

The full Terms and Conditions include details on eligibility, funding amounts, permissible uses, reporting requirements and the consequences of non-compliance. These Terms are designed to ensure transparency, accountability and alignment with the program’s objectives of supporting fact-checking organizations in times of operational disruption.

See the full Terms and Conditions

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FAQs

The Business Continuity Fund Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are here to provide clear and concise answers to common questions about the program. Whether exploring eligibility, seeking guidance on the application process, or curious about how funding can be used, this section is designed to help applicants navigate the program with ease.

These FAQs cover everything from who can apply to what reporting is required after receiving a grant. If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly.

See the full FAQs

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All grant applicants must register at the IFCN Grant Platform to be able to apply. If you are an existing signatory that has applied for IFCN Grants previously, please use the same username to be able to apply for the Business Continuity Fund. If you are facing an ongoing emergency, please contact any IFCN staff member for assistance in filing an application.