Lenfest Institute for Journalism

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗔𝗜 𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 What does it take to move AI from 𝘣𝘶𝘻𝘻𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 to 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘮 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦? AI isn’t the future of news. It’s already reshaping it. One workflow, one product, one newsroom at a time. In Chicago today at the sold-out News Product Alliance Summit, I was excited and grateful to join our Lenfest Institute for Journalism AI Fellows: Dana Chiueh 👩🏻💻 (ProPublica), Mark Chonofsky (Chicago Public Media), and Shanni You (Newsday Media Group). We explored how AI is solving real problems in local news. To an engaged, standing-room-only crowd of product professionals. 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗴𝗼 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 that respects local dialects, preserves style, and carries over captions and alt text. It now publishes Spanish-language stories in hours instead of days. 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮 “𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗩𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁” that connects decades of archives and community data, helping journalists and readers explore housing, education, and demographic trends through a conversational interface. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮 is developing an AI tool to help sort and prioritize the 60+ tips it receives each day, intelligently routing them to investigative teams while maintaining strict protections for source confidentiality. Across our AI Collaborative, in partnership with OpenAI + Microsoft, one pattern stands out: + Start small + Integrate deeply + Learn fast We’re not chasing novelty. We’re translating 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 by driving revenue, retention, and reach while staying true to mission. Big thanks to Felicitas Carrique, Madalina Ciobanu, Samanta Leguizamón, and Becca Aaronson for the invitation and hospitality. #AI #NewsProduct #LocalNews #Innovation #ResponsibleAI #Journalism #Strategy

Save the date: The Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit is returning in 2026 💸💡🤝 Join hundreds of local news fundraising professionals from around the world from May 18–20, 2026 in Philadelphia. Hosted in partnership with Press Forward, the Summit offers journalism development professionals the chance to connect with peers, participate in hands-on workshops to sharpen their fundraising skills, and gain insights from inspiring keynote speakers. Attendance is free, and limited travel support will be available. Head to the link in our comments to get notified when applications for attendance and pitches open. 

🚨 Applications are now open for the next round of Beyond Print grants! Independent local newspapers: Apply now to receive support for experiments to reduce reliance on print, accelerate digital sustainability, embrace new distribution platforms, and reach new and younger audiences. The Lenfest Institute will award a limited number of grants of up to $50,000 per organization from a total pool of $400,000. This year, Beyond Print will expand to include a broader offering of support that includes: 🤝 An expanded Community of Practice — a free peer-to-peer learning cohort beginning in November, featuring virtual workshops, case studies, and information exchange. 💡 Free Expert Network Advisory Services — eligible independent local newspapers may receive complimentary one-on-one consulting support through the Lenfest Expert Network Advisory Service to help shape and execute their business strategies. ⭐️ In-person convening in 2026 — open to all Beyond Print Community members. Grant applications are open through Monday, Nov. 17, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET.  Review the complete grant guidelines and apply below ⬇️ 

We are saddened by the passing of Michael Days, a pioneer of Philadelphia journalism. As editor of The Philadelphia Daily News, he oversaw investigative reporting efforts that led to the paper winning a Pulitzer Prize in 2010. Beyond his work in the newsroom, Days mentored and supported journalists across the city, including in his most recent role as president of NABJ Philadelphia. We extend our condolences to his family, his friends, and the countless journalists whose lives were touched by his work.

Join us on 10/28 for a webinar all about measuring the real impact of local journalism on communities! Danny Hayes of The George Washington University will present his 2024 research (sponsored by Lenfest Institute for Journalism) into the reach and influence of three independent local news organizations — Montana Free Press, New Hampshire Public Radio and The Center For Michigan | Bridge Michigan | BridgeDetroit. Attendees will come away with practical research methods, ideas for adapting the framework to their own newsroom and tips for communicating the impact to funders and partners. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/ehiCi2zj

The Lenfest Institute for Journalism congratulates former Lenfest Institute Board member and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, investigative journalist, and editor Amanda Bennett, who received the 2025 Freedom of the Press Career Achievement Award from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press last night in New York City.  The Freedom of the Press Awards honors the accomplishments of leaders in the news and legal fields whose work embodies the values of the First Amendment. We celebrate the accomplishments of Bennett and all of the 2025 awardees, whose important work strengthens our communities and our democracy.  https://lnkd.in/g-scEhWz

If you're in Philadelphia this week, don't miss “Free Speech at the Crossroads: A Keystone Dialogue," taking place Oct. 15-16 at Temple University. Georgetown University’s Free Speech Project will host a powerful two-day event to explore the state of free speech in America, featuring a lineup of prominent public officials, leading university scholars, journalists, and local experts including Matt Boggie of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Christopher Baxter of Spotlight PA, along with Shawn Mooring and Jim Friedlich of The Lenfest Institute. Learn more and register:

✨ Excited to see my first story published for the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, a how-to story for funders interested investing in non-traditional news sources or creators. I was able to get input from Shawn Mooring at Lenfest about their social ambassadors program at Every Voice, Every Vote, along with Will Holden at Gary Community Ventures, Ayinde Merrill, MPA at the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium and Lizzy Hazeltine at the North Carolina Local News Lab Fund. Some important steps in this process: 🔍 Do your research or find a knowledgeable consultant. 🥾 Get out in the community and leverage your networks. 📈 Be sure to track metrics and impact. 👐🏽 Open-mindedness is key. “The ongoing invitation for funders is to see how many different types of organizations together can reach and serve our communities, and to fund a wide-ranging group of organizations patiently over time.” -Lizzy Hazeltine #creators #funding #bestpractices https://lnkd.in/ga-qaq8x

💸📊 How are the latest fundraising trends impacting your newsroom? The Chronicle of Philanthropy is partnering with the Lenfest Institute for Journalism to host a free workshop on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 2:30 p.m. EDT. Join us to learn insights from the broader philanthropic field — including details on donor trends, tax laws, and more — and how you can apply them to fundraising for journalism. The Chronicle will also share highlights from the Philanthropy & Nonprofit Accountability Fellowship, a program it organizes in partnership with The Associated Press and The Conversation, to support local newsrooms covering philanthropy in their communities. ➕ Plus, all session attendees will receive a discount on subscriptions to the Chronicle. Register today! https://lnkd.in/e7wGkSTK