MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving made a stunning announcement on Tuesday when 361 organizations received $640 million to support their work. This was the result of an open call one year ago that invited purpose-driven organizations to apply, focusing on groups who have encountered discrimination and other systemic obstacles.
That invitation resulted in 6,353 applications. The first round included peer reviews from other applicants which narrowed the field to a final 1,000. The second round included an external evaluation panel and underwent final due diligence.
The application submitted by Local Media Foundation to support the work of Word In Black and News is Out was one of the 361 organizations to receive funding.
“We are honored and humbled to be included,” said Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, CEO of The AFRO American and chair of the board of directors for Word In Black. “The Black press has been on the front lines fighting for justice, civil rights, and equity for a long time. Our collective Black voice is needed more than ever as we work to find solutions to racial inequities in America through the work of Word In Black. This funding will take our newsroom to a whole new level.”
Word In Black will use the award to expand the newsroom with resources dedicated to investigative reporting, community-focused events, journalism projects and much-need infrastructure.
“The queer community is under attack every day, which makes our work that much more important,” said Leo Cusimano, publisher of The Dallas Voice and member of the News is Out collaborative. “We are incredibly grateful to MacKenzie Scott for recognizing the importance of the LGBTQ+ press and the vital role we play in protecting the rights of our communities. This funding will allow us to expand our journalism and increase our impact.”
News is Out will put the funds to use immediately by launching a three-month strategic planning process with an outside facilitator. From there, they will determine their top journalism priorities and use the funds accordingly.
“Sustainability for publishers of color and other underrepresented media has been one of LMF’s four core pillars since 2018,” said Nancy Lane, co-CEO, Local Media Foundation and Local Media Association. “To have a national funder with the reputation of MacKenzie Scott recognize the importance journalism plays in these communities is refreshing and validating. These publishers have been historically underfunded in every way. I am thrilled this application stood out in a pool of 6,353 very worthy causes to be one of the 361 awardees. It is well deserved.”
LMF will use the award to hire a director of equity funding to manage the Word In Black Racial Equity Fund and News is Out LGBTQ+ Equity Fund. The director will work closely with the publishers on their journalism projects and with partners who want to fund these projects.
LMF will issue reports on how this funding has impacted both organizations over the next few years. These learnings will be available to help others in the industry.
About Yield Giving
Established by MacKenzie Scott to share a financial fortune created through the effort of countless people, Yield is named after a belief in adding value by giving up control. To date, the network of staff and advisors has yielded over $17,300,000,000 to 2,300+ non-profit teams to use as they see fit for the benefit of others.
About Lever for Change
The Yield Giving open call was managed by Lever for Change, which helps donors find and fund bold solutions to the world’s biggest problems—including issues like racial inequity, gender inequality, access to economic opportunity, and climate change.
About Word In Black
Word In Black is a national news startup backed by 10 of the nation’s legendary local Black publishers including AFRO News, The Atlanta Voice, Dallas Weekly, Houston Defender, Michigan Chronicle, New York Amsterdam News, Sacramento Observer, Seattle Medium, St. Louis American and Washington Informer. It is a hybrid unlike anything else in media today, with a collective reach of more than 1 million each week. Word In Black became a public benefit corporation in January of 2024, with journalism activities supported by LMF.
About News is Out
News is Out is a queer media collaborative made up of six of the country’s leading local LGBTQ+ outlets: Bay Area Reporter, Dallas Voice, Philadelphia Gay News, Tagg Magazine, Washington Blade and Windy City Times. The mission is to deliver compelling journalism, which engages, amplifies and connects the LGBTQ+ community. News is Out is a project of the Local Media Foundation.
About Local Media Foundation
Local Media Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable trust with a mission to ensure a healthy future for local journalism, which is essential to a strong democracy, by reinventing business models for news. Incorporating four strategic pillars — business transformation, journalism funded by philanthropy, industry collaboration, and sustainability for publishers of color — LMF helps provide local media companies the strategies and resources for meaningful innovation and impactful journalism projects.
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