our mission

The VII Foundation is committed to in-depth journalism covering the crucial issues of our time. In a world where beliefs and actions are increasingly out-of-sync with facts and realities, our response is to ensure the truth is documented to enable communities worldwide to make evidence-based choices about the challenges impacting their lives.

The foundation does this by empowering new voices through education, especially from under-resourced regions where press freedom is limited and journalists are vulnerable. We train practitioners to cover their local communities and global problems, and we produce large-scale and long-term documentary projects that advocate change and detail solutions. We bring new and neglected perspectives to the public agenda and host conversations that campaign for a diverse, safe and viable profession, especially for freelancers worldwide. 

STRUCTURE

DISCOVER OUR NEW BRAND

“Since its inception, The VII Foundation has used a Roman numeral logo — a nod to the original seven founding members. But, like the stories the foundation helps bring to light, we felt strongly that an update to the logo had the potential to be a visually expressive device — something far more than just a mark. It needed to honor the VII legacy while evolving into a dynamic, living part of the brand. Every journalist frames a story through their own aperture, guiding viewers to a focal point — concepts rooted in photography, which lies at the heart of the foundation’s work. These principles inspired the modernization of the VII logo, where the “V” represents the idea of an aperture, and the two “I”s are revealed within the remaining shapes derived from the golden ratio, symbolizing the focal point. The result is a dynamic yet efficient system that empowers the brand to evolve alongside the powerful narratives it represents.”

A NEW STRUCTURE →
All our work is now united under the same unifying brand — The VII Foundation — and categorized into three areas: Educate, for all training and education; Report, for all storytelling; and Campaign, for all advocacy and dialogue about a free press, media rights, AI and more.
A NEW LOGO →
Our new logo has been completely redesigned by Mechanica Design Director Wade Devers to anchor our rebrand. In the inspiring recording linked here, Wade narrates his process in reimagining our logo, which combines historical references with principles of design.

We want to expand our work, and there are many ways to join our existing partners and support our growth.

find out more →
Children from the Teepa family drive the younger siblings home, after a swim in the river. Tūhoe children are taught independence and to care for other family members. Ruatoki, New Zealand, 27 January 2022. © Tatsiana Chypsanava, Pulitzer Center, New Zealand Geographic.