International Fact-Checking Network
The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) is a nonprofit unit of the Poynter Institute that unites 60+ fact-checkers across 65 countries, administers the IFCN Code of Principles and ClaimReview schema, and operates grant programs (SUSTAIN, Global Fact Check Fund) to support fact-checking organizations globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersSt. Petersburg, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What International Fact-Checking Network does
The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) is a nonprofit unit of the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1975 and headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida. IFCN was established to bring together fact-checkers worldwide, currently coordinating 60+ fact-checking organizations across 65 countries. Its core products and programs include the IFCN Code of Principles (a five-pillar credibility standard covering nonpartisanship, source/funding/methodology transparency, and corrections policy), the ClaimReview markup schema that enables fact-checks to surface in search and on social platforms, the annual GlobalFact conference, and grant programs including SUSTAIN and the Google/YouTube-funded Global Fact Check Fund. The network also operates sub-brands: PolitiFact (a Pulitzer Prize-winning political fact-checking publication with 16,000+ Truth-O-Meter ratings), MediaWise (a digital media literacy program), the Teen Fact-Checking Network, and the Newmark Ethics Center.
IFCN's business model is grant-funded nonprofit: revenue flows from foundation grants (Google/YouTube, Carnegie, McGovern, Knight), Poynter Membership ($75/year) and paid training courses, and donations. IFCN itself does not charge certification fees to fact-checking organizations but rather distributes funds outward via grant programs. The Google/YouTube Global Fact Check Fund of $13.2 million (2022) is the largest single inflow, with substantial pass-through distribution to 135 recipient organizations. Distribution occurs through Poynter's digital platform (self-serve training catalog and grant applications), the in-person GlobalFact conference, and the Google/YouTube platform partnership. IFCN does not offer a software product, API, or developer-facing services; its competitive position rests on certification authority, network scale, and standards stewardship rather than on technology assets.
International Fact-Checking Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- International Fact-Checking Network
- Legal name
- The Poynter Institute for Media Studies, Inc.
- Website
- https://poynter.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) is a nonprofit unit of the Poynter Institute that unites 60+ fact-checkers across 65 countries, administers the IFCN Code of Principles and ClaimReview schema, and operates grant programs (SUSTAIN, Global Fact Check Fund) to support fact-checking organizations globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where International Fact-Checking Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- St. Petersburg
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
International Fact-Checking Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation Grants: IFCN receives major grants from technology companies and foundations to fund its operations and grant programs for fact-checking organizations globally.
- Institutional Support: IFCN operates as a program within the Poynter Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, receiving institutional funding and support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Poynter Membership - $75/year |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
International Fact-Checking Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) operates as a global standards-setting and grant-making program under the Poynter Institute, uniting more than 60 fact-checkers across 65+ countries. It administers the IFCN Code of Principles for certification, runs grant programs (SUSTAIN, Global Fact Check Fund) that distribute funds to fact-checking organizations, hosts the annual GlobalFact conference, and promotes the ClaimReview markup schema enabling fact-checks to surface on search and social platforms.
Product overview
The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) is a global standards-setting and grant-making organization under the Poynter Institute. It operates a platform of interconnected programs: the core IFCN network brings together over 60 fact-checkers worldwide; PolitiFact serves as the flagship fact-checking publication (Pulitzer Prize-winning); MediaWise provides media literacy education; the Teen Fact-Checking Network engages youth; and grant programs (SUSTAIN, Global Fact Check Fund) provide financial support to the global fact-checking ecosystem. IFCN does not offer a technical product or software platform but rather focuses on standards, training, grants, and public fact-checking content.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PolitiFact: The largest political fact-checking news organization in the United States and winner of the Pulitzer Prize. It has published more than 16,000 fact-checks on its Truth-O-Meter.
- MediaWise
- Teen Fact-Checking Network (TFCN)
- GlobalFact
- The Newmark Ethics Center
Products and services
- International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN)
Quantifiable outcome
- Distributed $13.2 million to 135 fact-checking organizations across 65 countries
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use International Fact-Checking Network
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
International Fact-Checking Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
International Fact-Checking Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Poynter Institute SUSTAIN Program Recipientscore25 fact-checking organizations awarded $750,000 in unrestricted grants through the third round of the SUSTAIN program, targeting organizations in conflict zones (Ukraine, Venezuela, Syria, DRC) and established media markets (US, Canada, Brazil, Spain, France, UK).
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
International Fact-Checking Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Snopes: One of the original online fact-checking organizations and a long-standing IFCN-certified signatory. Operates a similar content-led fact-check publishing model targeting general audiences on viral claims, making it the most direct functional peer to IFCN's network of member fact-checkers.
- FactCheck.org: A nonpartisan, nonprofit consumer advocate fact-checking project. IFCN-certified and focused on political claims, comparable to IFCN's PolitiFact sub-brand. Operates under similar nonprofit funding dynamics and adheres to the same Code of Principles IFCN promulgates.
- Full Fact: UK-based independent fact-checking charity and IFCN signatory. Comparable in mission and nonprofit structure to IFCN, with a strong emphasis on automated fact-checking tooling and AI-assisted verification—relevant given IFCN's stated interest in digital verification tools.
- Africa Check: The first independent fact-checking organization in Africa and an IFCN-certified signatory. Direct peer in being a regionally focused, IFCN-affiliated fact-checker that receives grant support through IFCN's SUSTAIN and Global Fact Check Fund programs.
- Chequeado: Argentine fact-checking nonprofit and IFCN signatory, recipient of SUSTAIN program grants. Direct comparable as a Latin American member of the IFCN network pursuing the same misinformation-combating mission through nonprofit publishing.
- The News Literacy Project: US-based nonprofit advancing news literacy among educators and students. Directly comparable to MediaWise as a peer in the media literacy education space, pursuing similar K-12 classroom and educator training outcomes that complement IFCN's mission.
- Maldita.es: Spanish IFCN-certified fact-checking nonprofit and SUSTAIN grant recipient. Direct peer operating a comparable model of misinformation debunking plus media literacy training, and a member organization within the IFCN network.
Emerging players
- Duke Reporters' Lab: Duke University's research project tracking the global fact-checking ecosystem and developing fact-checking technologies. Comparable as an adjacent player in the same standards and tooling space, with partial overlap in mapping and supporting fact-checkers worldwide.
Broad incumbents
- Reporters Without Borders: International nonprofit defending press freedom globally. Overlapping mission in supporting journalism and combating information disorder, but broader in scope (press freedom advocacy vs. IFCN's fact-checking standards focus), and an established larger incumbent in the journalism support ecosystem.
Others
- Knight Foundation: Major journalism-focused foundation that funds Poynter's online learning platform and supports fact-checking initiatives. Listed as an adjacent ecosystem participant and key funder rather than a competitor; included because it shapes the funding environment in which IFCN operates.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
International Fact-Checking Network social profiles
Digital presenceInternational Fact-Checking Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
International Fact-Checking Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
International Fact-Checking Network subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
International Fact-Checking Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
International Fact-Checking Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about International Fact-Checking Network
What does International Fact-Checking Network do?
The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) operates as a global standards-setting and grant-making program under the Poynter Institute, uniting more than 60 fact-checkers across 65+ countries. It administers the IFCN Code of Principles for certification, runs grant programs (SUSTAIN, Global Fact Check Fund) that distribute funds to fact-checking organizations, hosts the annual GlobalFact conference, and promotes the ClaimReview markup schema enabling fact-checks to surface on search and social platforms.
Is International Fact-Checking Network a public or private company?
International Fact-Checking Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was International Fact-Checking Network founded?
International Fact-Checking Network was founded in 1975. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is International Fact-Checking Network based?
International Fact-Checking Network is headquartered in St. Petersburg, United States, in the North America region.
How does International Fact-Checking Network make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Foundation Grants are the primary driver. The others are institutional Support.
Who are International Fact-Checking Network's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Snopes, FactCheck.org, Full Fact, Africa Check, Chequeado, The News Literacy Project and Maldita.es. Duke Reporters' Lab is listed as an emerging player. Reporters Without Borders is listed as a broad incumbent. Knight Foundation is listed as an others.
Does International Fact-Checking Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for International Fact-Checking Network.