ProQuote Launches Crowdfunding to Continue Media Gender Census

ProQuote Medien e. V., based in Hamburg, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to secure the continuation of its work after funding from the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs ended at the beginning of March 2026. Through the campaign, the association hopes to raise at least €30,000 to support its activities over the next twelve months.

The funding is intended to ensure the continuation of ProQuote’s media census and its related public relations work. The organization aims to finance the next two surveys, publish the results, and maintain ongoing communication about gender representation in the media sector.

ProQuote Medien has conducted its biannual census of major media outlets for years

The survey tracks the proportion of women in leadership positions at leading German media companies and documents how that figure changes over time. According to the organization, the data reveal a concerning trend. After the share of women in management roles rose to nearly 40 percent in 2022, the figures have declined again in the years since. ProQuote considers this development a warning sign and believes continued monitoring is essential to understand and address the shift.

The association describes itself as the only nationwide initiative that systematically analyzes management structures across national print and online media. Its census examines the mastheads of nine major publications and evaluates leadership roles according to hierarchical levels. The titles included in the analysis are Bild, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Die Zeit, taz, Die Welt, Der Spiegel, Stern, and Focus.

ProQuote hopes that its crowdfunding campaign will help the association maintains its activity

Through the crowdfunding effort, ProQuote hopes to maintain at least a minimum level of activity and ensure that the census continues to be published regularly. The organization is calling on journalists, media companies, foundations, and other supporters to contribute and help establish more stable long-term funding.

Board member Edith Heitkämper emphasized the urgency of the initiative, stating that it is necessary to continue speaking out and advocating for equal opportunities for women in media companies. According to Heitkämper, the ProQuote organization intends to intensify its efforts to promote equality and diversity despite current setbacks.

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(Featured image by CoWomen via Unsplash)

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