Did you know that nearly half of Michigan’s counties and about 1 million residents have limited access to local news? And did you know that 40% of Michigan’s newspapers have vanished in the past two decades, making our state one of the hardest hit in the country in terms of the loss of local news and journalism jobs?

The crisis in local news is real — and it’s urgent.

That’s why we are launching new funding initiatives to directly address this crisis and rebuild the infrastructure needed to keep Michigan’s communities informed, engaged, and empowered.

These funds will fuel solutions to restore and reimagine how local journalism can thrive in communities large and small:

  • The Michigan Media Innovation Fund will invest in new technologies, sustainable business models, and local startups committed to redefining how local news is created and delivered.
  • The Michigan Journalism Fund will support reporters, editors, and newsrooms with fellowships, grants, and support to ensure essential coverage doesn’t disappear. Topic-based funders can choose to cover a specific subject (such as health) in line with their missions. 
  • The Michigan Broadcast Journalism Fund will help local radio and television stations enhance their public service journalism, expand local coverage, and embrace digital storytelling.
  • Press Forward Northern Michigan aims to be both a catalyst of new innovations and ideas and supporter of building and strengthening existing infrastructure and newsroom capacity.

We invite you—the funding community, media leaders, business partners, and all those who believe in an informed democracy—to support these funds and join this movement.

WAYS TO DONATE

The following giving options apply only to the Michigan Media Innovation Fund and Michigan Journalism Fund.

Donate online here: https://givebutter.com/localnewscrisisMI

By Check:

Make checks payable to Local Media Foundation and include the fund name on the memo line. 

Mail to:
Local Media Foundation
P.O. Box 85015
Chicago, IL 60689-5033

Matching Gift Donations

Ask your employer if they offer matching donations. When applying, specify:

  • Local Media Foundation (Tax ID: 36‐4427750)
  • The specific fund (e.g., Michigan Media Innovation Fund)

Donor Advised Funds

Request a distribution from your fund administrator or use their online form. Specify:

  • Local Media Foundation (Tax ID: 36‐4427750)
  • The specific fund (e.g., Michigan Journalism Fund)

Stock or electronic bank transfer (ACH)

To donate gifts of stock or make an ACH or similar transfer, please contact Julia Campbell at julia.campbell@localmedia.org. 

The following giving option applies only to the Michigan Broadcast Journalism Fund

The Michigan Broadcast Journalism Fund – Donate online here.

The following giving options applies only to the Press forward Northern Michigan Fund

Press Forward Northern Michigan

To support the work of Press Forward Northern Michigan, donations can be made to the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, the backbone organization for Press Forward Northern Michigan:

● Credit card donations accepted online. 

● Checks written to GTRCF/Press Forward sent to 800 Cottageview Dr., Ste. 1040, Traverse City, MI 49684

● We can also accept stock donations, IRA distributions, and donor advised fund grants. For more information about these gift types, email pressforwardnomi@gtrcf.org.

For more information: Please contact Lindsey Estes, chief of staff, Local Media Association at lindsey.estes@localmedia.org.