The LMF Local News Fund works like what the media industry often calls “fiscal sponsorship.” LMF contracts with a local media organization to define and execute journalism and community projects aligned with the mission of Local Media Foundation. Then, LMF sets up ways to accept charitable donations to support those projects.
LMF does this for journalism projects that demonstrate genuine charitable or educational intent, committed leadership, and potential for significant community impact. Projects often focus on enterprise or investigative reporting on critical community issues such as social justice, poverty, the unhoused, education, or health inequities.
LMF retains an administrative fee as a percentage of all charitable contributions received on behalf of the project. This fee covers costs incurred to support the relationship, including accounting, processing donations, donor acknowledgments and receipts, administering the fund, and ensuring legal compliance.
The Local News Fund includes:
- Ability to solicit and receive tax-deductible donations and grants.
- Ability to process credit card or check donations, stock transfers, and corporate matching gifts.
- Use of the Givebutter platform for crowdsourced donations.
- Use of LMF’s registered charitable status (in most states).
- LMF files required IRS 990 forms every year and conducts annual financial audits.
- Donor receipts for all donations, and acknowledgment letters for donations over $250.
If you are interested in learning more about how an organization can participate in the Local News Fund, please fill out and submit our inquiry form. We will be in touch.