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DNT FUND FAQs

1. About the Fund

What is the DNT Fund?

The Digital News Transformation Fund (DNT Fund) is a R114 million initiative funded by Google in partnership with the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP). Tshikululu Social Investments administers the Fund independently.

The Fund was established by AIP on behalf of the media industry. Applicants do not need to be AIP members to benefit.

The Fund strengthens the sustainability, digital transformation, and audience reach of South Africa’s small, medium, and independent news publishers producing original public-interest journalism.

The mandate covers both sustainability and digital transformation. Digital transformation is a priority focus given the Fund’s origins within Google.

The DNTF recognises that financial and operational stability is the first step towards digital transformation for many independent publishers. The primary purpose is to help small and medium independent publishers become sustainable in the digital era.

The DNT Fund is intended to:

 

  • Assist print publishers to move to digital
  • Provide financial support for specific digital projects
  • Build publishers’ skills so they are profitable
  • Grow publishers’ online audiences and revenue
  • Support public-interest journalism that serves communities

The DNT Fund provides grant funding for projects that:

  • Support original public-interest journalism
  • Enable digital transformation and product development (including generative AI tools)
  • Focus on financial sustainability and revenue development
  • Promote audience engagement and reach
  • Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in media
  • Support fact-checking and countering disinformation
  • Can be undertaken by individual publishers or collective beneficiaries
  • Are strictly product-agnostic (Google products are not required)
Funding is offered across three tiers:
  • Build: Up to R380,000 per year for foundational digital capacity
  • Ignite (sub-tier of Build): R100,000 for publishers with no or minimal digital presence who need foundational support to establish their first digital footprint
  • Grow: Up to R950,000 per year for expansion of digital reach
  • Engage: Up to R1,900,000 per year for advanced innovation and revenue models

Multi-year funding (up to three years) is available, subject to performance and annual review.  

No. AIP partnered with Google to set up the Fund, but you do not need to be an AIP member to apply or receive funding. AIP members have, however, benefited from the Fund.

AIP’s initial role was to establish the DNTF, including appointing the DNTF Board and Tshikululu as fund manager. AIP’s current role is to represent small publishers’ interests. AIP is represented by its chairperson, Anetta Mangxaba, who sits on the DNTF Board as co-chair.

No. To protect independence and integrity:

–  Google is not involved in adjudication, oversight, or decision-making bodies.
–  AIP’s role was limited to co-founding the Fund.
–  Funding decisions are made independently by the Adjudication Committee and ratified by the Oversight and Advisory Board.

Any interest earned on tranche payments received from Google is reinvested into the Fund to support and advance its objectives.

Tshikululu Social Investments (TSI) is an organisation that specialises in managing funds and advising on corporate social investment strategies and implementation.

TSI plays a technical role as fund manager. Its responsibilities include administering the Fund, communications, grant applications, support to the Adjudication Panel, contracting with grantees, disbursement of funds, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of grants.

TSI has three branches:

  • A not-for-profit branch – the Tshikululu Trust – which is a public benefit organisation trust that holds the DNTF funding and is managed by Trustees
  • Tshikululu Social Investments NPC
  • Tshikululu Management Services (Pty) Ltd

The contract with the DNTF is with the not-for-profit Tshikululu Trust. Staff from Tshikululu Social Investments NPC manage the day-to-day operations of the DNTF through a service level agreement with the Tshikululu Trust.

Tshikululu Social Investments charges an administration fee to manage the DNTF. The fund management agreement between AIP and Google provides for up to 20% of the total amount to be spent on the fund manager.

The fee covers:

  • Governance set-up and oversight
  • Day-to-day operations of the Fund
  • Management of the application portal and supporting systems
  • Contracting and due diligence processes
  • Grantee support for reporting, compliance, and governance
  • Monitoring, evaluation, and financial accountability oversight
  • Payments to third-party service providers

 

Tshikululu will operate within the 10 to 15 percent administration range for the first three years, in line with the DNTF Board directive.

Total administration costs, including external services such as communications, website management, and board or adjudication panel support, may reach up to 20 percent of the total fund allocation. Tshikululu does not apply any mark-up to third-party disbursements.

As a result, 80% or more of the total fund amount is spent on grants and grantee support, divided across two main grant funding rounds per year.

The AIP Board gave a mandate to a small group of board members and the executive director to sign a non-disclosure agreement with Google, which covered the initial negotiations and the process of appointing a fund manager.

The selection was done by AIP in consultation with Google. AIP conducted extensive research and held discussions with multiple local and international fund managers before making a selection. AIP and Google chose TSI as the most suitable fund manager from the pool of South African candidates considered.

2. Governance and Decision-Making

Who is on the board of the DNTF?

See the ‘Our Team & Board’ page on the website.

There is currently one vacancy on the Board, following the resignation of Mbali Dhlomo in November 2025.

The Framework Agreement between Google and AIP stipulates that the Board should include:

  • A government representative (Mashile)
  • An AIP representative (Mangxaba)
  • A representative from mainstream media (Charalambous)
  • A representative from the Press Council of South Africa (Lombard)
  • Industry experts (Maher and Nkambule)

The Board executes the mandate of the DNTF by setting the overall strategy, putting policies in place, and providing oversight of fund administration. The Board ratifies the grant-making process but does not have a say in individual funding decisions.

See the ‘Our Team & Board’ page on the website.

The Adjudication Panel was selected by the DNTF Board based on the criteria set out in the DNTF Terms of Reference and Funding Policy.

The following criteria apply:

  • Professional Expertise: Demonstrated experience in one or more of the following: independent journalism or media; digital innovation or technology in media; media business development or public benefit funding; or impact assessment and grant-making.
  • Sector Knowledge: A strong understanding of the South African media ecosystem, especially the challenges facing small and medium independent publishers. Familiarity with equity, inclusion, and digital transformation within the media sector.
  • Independence and Integrity: Candidates must declare any prior or current relationships with Board or applicant entities and must adhere to the Fund’s Conflict-of-Interest Policy.
  • Representational Balance: Consideration is given to ensuring diversity in terms of race, gender, geography, language, and professional expertise.

The Adjudication Panel selects projects to be funded in line with the Fund’s mandate and the funding priorities set by the DNTF Board. Decisions are based on the requirements of the three funding tiers and must fall within the funding allocation for each round.

 

The Adjudication Committee (AC) independently assesses applications against Board-approved criteria using a standard 100-point scoring matrix. The AC issues funding recommendations. Final approvals are ratified by the Oversight and Advisory Board, with the Secretariat recording both the recommendations and ratifications in the Decision Log.

Google, as the Funder, has no involvement in funding decisions. Adjudication Committee decisions are taken by majority vote.

Disclosure:

  • Members make an initial declaration before service
  • An annual update is required within 30 days of the appointment anniversary
  • Event-driven updates must be submitted within 14 days of any change
  • Meeting-specific conflicts are declared at the start of each meeting and minuted
  • The Secretariat maintains a secure Register

Recusal:

  • Recusal is required if the member, or an immediate family member or close associate, is an applicant, holds a Material Interest, or has provided services to an applicant in the past 12 months
  • The member exits for that agenda item and is excluded from related documents, discussions, and votes
  • The Secretariat records the recusal in the minutes

Cooling-off:

  • No Adjudication Committee member (nor any immediate family member) may hold a Material Interest in, or professional engagement with, a Related Organisation during their period of service and for six months thereafter
  • Any such interest must be declared immediately and triggers resignation

Gifts and benefits:

  • Any grant, donation, or other benefit exceeding R50,000 in the preceding 12 months constitutes a Material Interest and must be disclosed and managed accordingly

Confidentiality:

  • Members sign a confidentiality agreement and must comply with POPIA
  • The Fund publishes member names and biographies, and anonymised decision data. Individual applications are not published.

Breaches:

  • Non-compliance may lead to removal
  • If a decision was tainted by an undeclared conflict, the Board may set aside or vary that decision after due process

3. Eligibility

Who is the DNTF aimed at?

The Fund targets small and medium-sized publishers that are paid-up (i.e. in good standing) members of the Press Council.

Eligible applicants include:

  • Local and independent news publishers in South Africa
  • Industry bodies, associations, or support organisations serving the local media ecosystem
  • Collectives or consortiums proposing industry-wide projects

The following are ineligible:

  • Broadcasters (i.e. TV and radio services)
  • Aggregators and general-interest magazines without public-interest content
  • Publishers with over one million monthly unique visitors (with exceptions)
  • Larger publishers who have already signed an individual Showcase deal with Google
  • Political parties, campaigns, or projects with political propaganda
  • Unregistered or non-compliant entities
  • Projects implemented outside South Africa (unless benefitting South African audiences)
  • Completed activities (no retrospective funding)

 

The exclusion of broadcasters applies even if the broadcaster operates an online news site. If a broadcaster partners with, or creates a separate legally registered digital-only entity that meets all eligibility requirements, that new entity will be assessed on its own merits.

The new entity would still need to demonstrate:

  • Press Council membership in good standing
  • A primary focus on original public-interest journalism
  • A clear digital news product
  • Compliance and governance requirements
  • A demonstrable commitment to digital transformation

To be eligible for DNTF funding, publishers must be subscriber members of the Press Council of South Africa in good standing. This means:

  • Your organisation holds active Press Council membership
  • All membership fees are current and paid
  • You are compliant with the Press Council Code of Ethics

Publishers who hold Press Council membership but have not paid their membership fees for the current year are not considered “in good standing” and do not meet DNTF eligibility requirements.

If your membership fees are outstanding, you must settle them before submitting an application, or before contracts can be signed if you are a successful applicant.

Yes. Support organisations, industry bodies, and ecosystem enablers may apply for DNTF funding even if they are not Press Council members.

The funded activities must, however, directly benefit publishers who are Press Council members in good standing (or publishers who will achieve this status through the funded project).

Examples of eligible support organisation projects:

  • Training programmes for Press Council member publishers
  • Shared technology infrastructure serving Press Council member newsrooms
  • Industry-wide initiatives where primary beneficiaries are Press Council members
  • Projects that help eligible publishers achieve Press Council membership as part of their digital transformation

When support organisations apply, they must clearly demonstrate in their application:

  • Which Press Council member publishers will benefit from the funded activities
  • How the project will directly support these publishers
  • Evidence of engagement or partnership with the beneficiary publishers

The DNTF reserves the right to verify Press Council membership status and good standing for all publishers identified as project beneficiaries.

4. Application Process

When does the DNTF financial year start?

Google released the funds in June 2025, so the DNTF financial year runs from the beginning of June to the end of May.

Two rounds are held each financial year. The first call opened in August 2025. The second call will open in the first quarter of 2026.

Applications open twice a year. One cycle runs in the first quarter and the second runs in the third quarter. Exact dates will be announced on the DNT Fund website, social media channels, and through industry communication channels.

The application process has two phases:

  • Phase 1 (Initial Screening): Applications are reviewed as they are received. Because this stage requires lighter information, feedback is given directly to applicants.
  • Phase 2 (Full Review): Eligible applications move to full adjudication, where the Adjudication Committee assesses them against the Fund’s criteria.

Applicants who are unsuccessful will receive feedback to help strengthen future submissions.

TSI conducts a preliminary screening to ensure adherence to DNTF policy requirements. Eligible applications are initially evaluated by TSI using a 100-point scoring system and submitted to the Adjudication Panel with Red-Amber-Green recommendations to assist the panel.

Even though applications are marked as red, amber, or green, all applications are considered by the Adjudication Panel. Final decisions are made through a week-long review process that includes preparatory reading and a day-long meeting to compile a list of grantees for each tier.

Applications undergo the following stages:

  • Initial screening for eligibility and completeness
  • Scoring by the Independent Adjudication Committee using the DNT Fund Scoring Matrix
  • Final ratification by the Oversight and Advisory Board and Tshikululu Trustees

Assessment criteria include alignment with DNTF objectives, innovation, feasibility, governance capacity, audience engagement, diversity, sustainability, and impact potential. Applicants are encouraged to pilot projects that could benefit the

No. Business plans are not required. The Project Plan, for which a template is provided, gives the Adjudication Committee sufficient evidence to assess organisational capacity and project planning.

No. The DNTF does not require publishers to hire consultants to prepare business plans. Applicants should use their own internal resources to explain their project and sustainability plans.

Yes. Applicants may propose a three-year project, but budgets must be submitted on an annual basis. The Build, Grow, and Engage funding caps apply per year, not cumulatively.

For example, if an applicant requests three years of Engage funding, the cap is R1.9 million per year, not R5.7 million upfront. Funding is renewed annually, subject to review.

Yes. Publishers may open a new business account, provided it is in the legal entity’s name and bank confirmation is supplied.

Yes. Applicants must open a dedicated bank account for DNTF funds or use an organisational account. Personal bank accounts are not permitted. This ensures transparency, accountability, and easier tracking of how funds are spent.

The first round attracted strong demand. The Fund received 164 applications requesting approximately R163 million. After adjudication, compliance checks, and one voluntary withdrawal, 21 grantees were confirmed.

During the process, several areas for improvement were identified:

  • Some shortlisted applicants did not submit complete compliance documentation by the deadline. The Board allowed a once-off developmental approach, which created delays. Going forward, all shortlisted applicants must submit full documentation by the published due date.
  • A technical issue during the transition from portal to email submissions meant that six eligible applications were not included in the first review. Once identified, the Adjudication Committee reconvened to assess them. Submission and verification systems have since been strengthened to prevent this from recurring.
  • One approved applicant later became ineligible after signing a Google News Showcase agreement. In line with policy, a reserve project was appointed.

 

What has changed as a result?

  • Complete applications are now required by the deadline
  • The submission system includes additional verification checks
  • Internal quality control steps have been strengthened before adjudication
  • A new Ignite sub-tier under Build offers R100,000 grants for very small publishers starting their digital journey

 

The first round was highly competitive and oversubscribed. The lessons from this process have strengthened governance, efficiency, and fairness in future rounds.

The Ignite grant is a small, entry-level grant within the Build tier. It supports very small or early-stage independent publishers who are starting their digital journey and need limited, focused support to put basic foundations in place.

Ignite is for publishers with little or no existing digital infrastructure or capacity. It is aimed at organisations that are not yet ready for a full Build-tier project.

Ignite grants support simple, practical interventions linked directly to digital publishing and sustainability. Examples include:

  • Basic website or CMS set-up
  • Essential digital tools or software
  • Foundational skills linked to publishing operations
  • Limited technical or advisory support

Ignite is a sub-category of the Build tier. Ignite grants are smaller in size and narrower in scope. Build grants support more comprehensive digital transformation projects.

Yes. Ignite grants follow the same eligibility, governance, and adjudication principles as all other DNTF funding.

Yes. Ignite is intended as a stepping stone. Publishers who complete an Ignite project successfully are better positioned to apply for Build, Grow, or Engage funding in future rounds.

Each successful Ignite grantee receives R100,000. A maximum of seven Ignite grants are awarded in each funding round.

5. Budget and Financial Guidelines

Can overheads and salaries be included in applications?

Overheads and salaries are not funded as standalone costs. They may, however, be included if they are directly linked to the project for which funding is requested. Applicants must clearly explain how these costs contribute to the delivery and success of the project.

Yes. The Funding Policy allows for a reasonable overhead of up to 10%, in line with common grant-making practice. This should be framed as an administrative or project management cost that is essential to delivering the project.

The Digital News Transformation Fund operates on a tiered funding framework comprising Build, Grow, and Engage categories, as well as the Ignite sub-tier. As set out in the published Funding Policy, the amounts associated with each tier represent maximum funding thresholds per project, per year. They do not constitute guaranteed or fixed grant amounts.

All eligible applications are independently assessed by the Adjudication Committee using a standardised scoring matrix approved by the Oversight and Advisory Board. Funding recommendations are based on relative scoring, feasibility, readiness, organisational capacity, sustainability considerations, and the overall availability of funds within the relevant tier envelope for a given funding call.

Within this framework, it is possible for an application assessed within any of the three tiers to receive an award below the maximum threshold. The amount awarded reflects the Adjudication Committee’s assessment of the approved project scope and budget against the published criteria.

6. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

What reporting is required from grantees?

Grantees are required to:

  • Submit monthly progress reports
  • Submit a bi-annual narrative report
  • Provide financial reports, including audited or independently reviewed statements where applicable
  • Submit a final impact report aligned with agreed deliverables
  • Participate in case study development for sector learning

Applicants receive reporting support from TSI.

7. Transparency and Public Information

Will application data and results be published?

Yes. In line with the Funding Policy and the Fund’s commitment to transparency, the following information will be made public:

  • Beneficiary (legal entity) and newsroom/trading name (if different).
  • Project title and short description (non-sensitive).
  • Approved funding amount and funding period.
  • Funding type/tier.
  • Province/coverage area (optional).
  • Status (active/completed).
  • Non-sensitive outcomes once the project is complete.

8. Support and Capacity Building

Will the DNT Fund provide training and capacity building support?

Yes. Alongside grant funding, the DNT Fund has developed a training framework to support grantees. The aim is to strengthen digital skills, improve sustainability, and build capacity across the sector.

The training approach focuses on:

  • Practical skills for digital transformation
  • Strengthening business and financial sustainability
  • Supporting editorial and audience growth strategies

9. Queries, Appeals and Contact Information

How can applicants query outcomes or lodge an appeal/complaint?

The Fund website hosts a public Questions and Feedback facility. The Secretariat will acknowledge enquiries within three business days and provide a response (or update the FAQ) within five business days.

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified and given reasons limited to the published criteria. A list of approved beneficiaries (with amounts and periods) is published. Disputes regarding conflict-of-interest rulings are referred to the Board.

Email: dntf@tshikululu.org.za