Kristyn Cooper is a nonprofit fundraising professional with nearly two decades of experience in grant writing, development strategy and donor stewardship. As director of fundraising initiatives for Local Media Association and Local Media Foundation, she oversees institutional funding programs, manages foundation relationships and supports local news organizations in building sustainable revenue.

Tell us a little about what you will be working on for LMA / LMF? 

I will be leading fundraising initiatives across the U.S. to support local media projects that strengthen communities by educating and informing the public.

What excited you most about joining us?

I’m most excited to learn how local and independent media outlets serve their communities and to contribute to sustaining their important work.

Tell us a little about your background and how you came to this role: 

My background is in fundraising and development, with extensive experience as a grant writer and administrator. I’ve worked across multiple sectors, including social services, education, health, arts and community development, helping organizations secure funding to advance their missions.

What do you think are the biggest challenges and opportunities in the local media industry today?

One of the biggest challenges is the rise of misinformation, especially as more people rely on social media as their primary source of news. At the same time, one of the greatest opportunities lies in those same platforms, the ability to reach broad audiences quickly with credible, fact-based information and to reestablish trust by meeting people where they are.

I worry about the growing spread of misinformation on social media and how it is increasingly replacing trusted local news sources. What motivates me each day is the opportunity to support efforts that preserve credible journalism and ensure communities have access to accurate, reliable information.