(August 13, 2025) — Local Media Association is pleased to announce the 20 news organizations selected to participate in the 2025 national cohort of the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding. The lab will help these local news organizations develop and execute strategies to fund essential local journalism via philanthropy. The six-month intensive program runs from August through January 2026.
The 2025 national cohort of the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding is made possible through support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
Since its launch in 2020, the lab has helped nearly 200 news organizations raise more than $34 million to support local journalism, with sustained support from Google News Initiative. Newsrooms in the new cohort will learn best practices documented in LMA’s industry report Pathways to Philanthropy and our 2024 report Sustaining Philanthropy for Journalism.
“These newsrooms have demonstrated a commitment to community service journalism,” said Frank Mungeam, chief innovation officer at LMA. “We look forward to helping them develop philanthropy as part of their overall strategy to sustain essential local journalism.”
“As a former participant in the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding, I can attest to how helpful it was as I sought and secured my first philanthropic grants,” said Duc Luu, director of journalism sustainability at Knight Foundation. “As more national and local funders are committing to supporting local journalism, this program will be an important resource for newsrooms who are deeply focused on their communities’ needs and hoping to find like-minded funders that can help them make their communities thrive.”
The 20 newsrooms accepted into the 2025 cohort include a diverse set of organizations in small and large markets across the country, including family-owned outlets and publishers who focus on traditionally underserved audiences. These news outlets share a commitment to civic journalism.
2025 National Cohort, LMA Lab for Journalism Funding:
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer/The Macon Telegraph
Marietta Daily Journal/Gwinnett Daily Post
The cohort will be led by Mungeam and supported by project manager Nina Joss. The newsrooms will work one-on-one with a team of best-in-class coaches including Joaquin Alvarado, who has been instrumental in the development of philanthropic funding at The Seattle Times and other local newsrooms; executive coach Joanne Heyman; experienced media executive Samantha Johnston; and Judi Terzotis who, as CEO, has helped dramatically grow philanthropic support for journalism at Georges Media Group.
Each publisher in the national cohort will set a fundraising goal, receive customized coaching and create and pitch a journalism project to be funded through philanthropy. Newsrooms will also gather for an in-person training and have the chance to compete for stipends to kick-start their projects.
LMA has published two industry reports, Pathways to Philanthropy and Sustaining Philanthropy for Journalism, available as free downloads to help all local newsrooms learn and apply fundraising best practices. LMA will publish case studies on publisher lessons and successes from the lab that can be applied across the news industry.
Meet the Newsrooms
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette:
“We’re thrilled to join the Lab for Journalism Funding cohort after launching our Community Journalism Project last year at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. We embrace opportunities to learn from others in the industry who are doing great work, and we’re most excited to learn from expert coaches and peer newsrooms about how to build sustainable, community-driven support for our work.”
– Allison Shirk, vice president of content and newsroom strategy for WEHCO Newspapers
Aspen Daily News:
“The Roaring Fork Valley is full of people who care deeply about place, truth and storytelling. And the Aspen Daily News Journalism Fund has shown that when you invite the community to be part of something bigger, they show up. But we know we’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible. The LMA Lab for Journalism Funding Lab offers us the structure, strategy and peer community to take our philanthropic model to the next level — and to ensure that independent, local journalism continues to thrive for the long haul.”
– Megan Tackett, associate publisher
The Buckeye Flame:
“As Ohio’s only LGBTQ+ newsroom and one of only a handful of statewide LGBTQ+ newsrooms left in the country, philanthropic support that scaffolds our long-term sustainability is vital: to our newsroom, to our staff and to the LGBTQ+ community that relies on our coverage.”
– Ken Schneck, editor
Chattanooga Times Free Press:
“We are thankful to be accepted into the Lab for Journalism Funding, and look forward to developing the skills and tools to secure funding to continue our mission-driven, independent journalism. Local news is more important than ever, and we hope to learn strategies to make it sustainable into the future.”
– Alison Gerber, editor
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer/The Macon Telegraph:
“I’m excited about this lab because fundraising is a great way to help expand quality local journalism that delivers significant impact. I can’t wait to build my skills and find new ways to strengthen the already-great work my newsrooms are doing through these sessions.”
– Jeremy Chisenhall, Georgia editor for McClatchy
The Dallas Weekly
“The Dallas Weekly is honored to join the … 2025 Lab for Journalism Funding as we continue to strengthen our capacity to serve and inform our community. We look forward to learning innovative strategies to sustain and grow local journalism that reflects and uplifts the voices of Dallas. This opportunity allows us to explore new funding models that will help ensure our journalism remains impactful, independent and deeply connected to the communities we cover. We’re excited to collaborate with fellow news organizations and experts who share our commitment to building a stronger future for local media.”
– Jerry L. Hawkins, assignment editor
InvestigateWest:
“InvestigateWest is grateful and excited to be a part of this year’s LMA Lab for Journalism Funding cohort. We look forward to learning and sharing with our peers, especially as we build our base of small-dollar donors and diversify our revenue.”
– Lynnie McIlvain, development director
The Lansing Journal:
“For The Lansing Journal, sustainability is not a goal — it’s a means to an end. Our ultimate goal is building community. Are more people shopping local, participating in events, attending public meetings, voting and getting to know their neighbors because of our work? So far yes, but we know there is much more work to be done. I’m excited to have an opportunity to learn from experts and my peers about sustainability so that The Lansing Journal can be better equipped to serve our community.”
– Melanie Jongsma, publisher and founder
Loudoun Now:
“Loudoun Now is thrilled to be part of the 2025 cohort of the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding. I look forward to exchanging ideas and best practices for sustaining nonprofit newsrooms through philanthropy — and deepening the engagement of younger readers and aspiring journalists in our community.”
– Bill Clifford, chief development officer
Marietta Daily Journal/Gwinnett Daily Post:
“Our goal is to secure the future of our journalism in an all-digital world. While we continue to print newspapers and rely on traditional advertising and subscription revenues, we recognize the need to diversify. To ensure sustainability in the digital landscape, we believe a third revenue stream — philanthropic support from community members who value our work — is essential. We’re eager to learn the Lab’s strategies and best practices to help us reach our goal.”
– J.K. Murphy, vice president of content at Times-Journal, Inc.
Midcoast Villager:
“At a time when we’re all trying to find new ways to make local media sustainable, this opens a critical door for us to learn more about how philanthropy can be a part of our model. In addition to helping the Midcoast Villager’s sustainability, we’re very excited about how introducing philanthropic giving can help bring us closer to the communities we serve and help our donors and readers feel a closer connection and deeper commitment to us.”
– Jeff Howland, audience development
The Minnesota Star Tribune:
“Over the past year, we have laid the groundwork for philanthropy as a new revenue priority at the Minnesota Star Tribune. I can’t wait to learn from our peers, benefit from the experts at LMA and be a part of creating the building blocks of new opportunities together.”
– Melissa Wind, head of philanthropic partnerships
New Jersey Urban News:
“We’re thrilled to be part of the Lab for Journalism Funding cohort and look forward to learning sustainable strategies that will help us grow our newsroom and deepen our impact across New Jersey’s underserved communities. This opportunity comes at a pivotal time as we continue building a strong foundation for long-term financial resilience.”
– Penda Howell, CEO and publisher
Our Times Newspaper:
“As local news continues to evolve, Our Times Newspaper — alongside our partners and community — has worked to reimagine journalism as more inclusive, accessible and community-driven. We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside industry professionals and peers to bring our vision to reality.”
– Rasheedah Ajibade, editor-in-chief
The Record North-Shore:
“Improving funding for our newsroom — and reaching sustainability — is critical; it’s why we put it in our mission statement. And that makes this opportunity to learn from experts and peers on ways to support our reporting so exciting and valuable.”
– Joe Coughlin, editor-in-chief
Santa Barbara News-Press:
“We’re honored to join the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding as we reimagine the Santa Barbara News-Press for the communities that need it most. This support will help us build a sustainable model rooted in listening, trust and meaningful local impact.”
– Nicole Carroll, executive director of NEWSWELL
Signal Ohio:
“Signal Ohio is truly honored to be a part of this cohort — an inspiring group committed to building a more inclusive and sustainable future for local journalism. At Signal Ohio, we believe that trust begins with representation, and that meaningful journalism must reflect and serve every corner of our community. This opportunity strengthens our mission and connects us with others working to ensure that local news is equitable, accessible, and here to stay.”
– J. Rita McNeil Danish, chief executive officer
Street Sense Media:
“I hope to learn how to maximize the potential I see at Street Sense every day. I’m excited to learn how to make D.C. residents feel more invested in the reporting of Street Sense.”
– Donte Kirby, deputy editor
Tucson Sentinel:
“As the Tucson Sentinel hits the back half of our second decade of operation, we’re still very much in start-up mode, eager to learn from our colleagues around the country and grow our award-winning newsroom. We’ve sustained ourselves on community support, and look forward to the Lab for Journalism Funding helping us become even more strategic and successful in raising revenues to back our local reporting that serves our neighbors in Southern Arizona.”
– Dylan Smith, editor and co-publisher
The Waco Bridge:
“As we launch a new nonprofit newsroom in Waco, Texas, I’m thrilled to join the LMA Lab and learn alongside others working to reinvent local news. This cohort’s shared knowledge and guidance will be a huge asset to our six-person team as we lay the foundation for lasting impact in our community.”
– Andrea Kosar, general manager