Press Forward

Excited to share our latest impact report - and how Press Forward’s coalition of ⭐ 88 ⭐ funders has invested more than $200 million in local news to date. Supporting local news has never been more important or urgent. There are green shoots of promise, models that are having an impact, and leaders rising to meet this moment, many of whom we’re honored to support. We hope you’ll read about these initiatives, and how funders are stepping up for local news: https://bit.ly/4aR2N7B

Our 36 chapters play a crucial role in supporting local news nationwide - by providing newsrooms with training and funding and by advancing public policy that expands access to the news.  Take Wichita: the chapter there, led by the Wichita Foundation, is teaming up with national Journalism Support Organization to bring hands-on training and peer support to newsrooms. Learn more about their impact: https://lnkd.in/dQb_bAnC 📷: Courtney Bengtson, Chief Strategy Officer, Wichita Foundation Tiny News Collective LION: Local Independent Online News Publishers

The nation’s strongest local newsrooms are ready to lead if we invest the right resources in their growth. In the latest News@Knight newsletter, David Grant and I took a closer look at the momentum building behind local publishers. For example, in just a month, Lookout Eugene-Springfield is already seeing impressive results since their launch in Oregon. - 900+ paying members - Around 5,000 newsletter subscribers - $175,000 in booked advertising and 26 sponsorship supporters (“marketing partners”) This isn’t just a strong start; it signals a convergence of key trends we’ve observed through the Knight Growth Challenge Fund investments. Together, they give us real confidence we’re entering a new era for local news: - A wealth of growth opportunities: Research from Blue Engine Collaborative shows dozens of counties or clusters across the country could support much more local journalism than they do today. - Experienced, ambitious teams: The best newsrooms are led by talented professionals ready to grow and innovate. - Stronger tools and infrastructure: More mature platforms and support systems are making it easier to scale. - Capital: Major funders are rallying behind bold, sustainable models—and we invite others to join us. The takeaway? Big opportunities, talented teams, and the resources to get it done are aligning. It’s important to celebrate this momentum, and harness it for local news to thrive. Read the full piece and subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/eX9x7PTP  

What a week - thanks to all who presented and attended!

Thankful to have Maribel Perez Wadsworth and John Palfrey in our corner, cheering loudly for the success of local news. Congrats on being named to the TIME100 Philanthropy list!

The Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit, hosted in partnership with Press Forward, kicked off this morning here in Philadelphia, with more than 300 news fundraisers in attendance to discuss growing philanthropy in support of local journalism💡⭐️💸 Following opening remarks from Press Forward Director Dale Anglin and Lenfest Institute Chief Advancement Officer Annie Madonia, day 1 of the Summit began with three keynote speakers: Aligned Strategy Group Co-Founder Mallory Mitchell, Mississippi Free Press Founding Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer Kimberly Griffin, and Colorado Media Project Director Kimberly Spencer, CFRE. 📸: Hannah Yoon

✨ 350 fundraisers for the news in one room ✨ The Lenfest News Philanthropy summit is growing along with the field for its biggest convening yet. We're proud to co-present this year’s event, and bring 100+ #PressForward grantees with us, to learn about building relationships with donors to diversify revenue streams. “You are the pioneers in a new and growing field…Ten years ago we couldn’t have dreamed this. Today, we want to keep building this.” – Dale Anglin, Director, Press Forward. Thanks to Lenfest Institute for Journalism for your partnership and commitment to growing the field! 📷 Mallory Mitchell Kimberly Griffin Kimberly Spencer, CFRE Annie Madonia

"If our democracy is to survive, the freedoms of speech and the press need a vigorous, determined defense."

🚀 New job alert: We’re hiring a Development and Partnerships Manager! Help us power a nationwide initiative to reimagine local news and information. We’re looking for a senior staffer who will: ⭐ Build and strengthen relationships with current and prospective funders. ⭐ Steward donor relations with care, strategy and integrity. ⭐ Create and advance a fundraising strategy that fuels the field of local news philanthropy. This position is remote. Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/eVQb7c5V Press Forward is housed at The Miami Foundation.

Thank you Shakira for honoring local news leaders!