Journalism funded by philanthropy is one of our four strategic pillars. LMA’s Lab for Journalism Funding, launched in September 2020 with support from Google, guided participating publishers through a six-month curriculum developed by a team from The Seattle Times led by Joaquin Alvarado. Through July 2021, the 16 publishers had combined to raise more than $3.5 million, an average of more than $200,000 per publisher. The success of these publishers is strong evidence that philanthropy can be one pillar for sustainably funding local journalism focused on civic good.

Here are recent articles about our own efforts and other industry initiatives to develop philanthropic funding for journalism.

How to engage and grow your audience on Local News Day

If your newsroom is looking for a way to rally community support and celebrate the essential role of local journalism, mark your calendars for April 9. Local News Day is a new grassroots movement designed to empower newsrooms to connect with their audiences and speak with one voice about the value they provide to their…

Pitch Day winners showcase local journalism’s power as a convener

Meet the winners from Pitch Day for the 2025-2026 national cohort of the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding One powerful way local news outlets can serve their audiences is by being a community convener and connector. That’s one takeaway from the latest “Pitch Day” from the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding, where a panel of…

LMA/LMF 2025 Impact Report

We’re proud to share inspiring stories of news media organizations that have benefited from our programs Dear Friends of LMA and LMF, Many great things happened in LMA/LMF programs in 2025, and this report tells those stories of successes for local media of all kinds and sizes. We would seem naive, however, if we did not acknowledge…

Unlocking the power of planned giving: A long-term strategy for newsroom sustainability

Planned giving is an often-overlooked strategy in newsroom fundraising, yet it may be one of the most powerful tools available to strengthen journalism for the long term.  “A planned gift is typically the largest gift a person can leave [in their lifetime], often six figures,” said Anna January, director of philanthropy at Wisconsin Watch. Up…

How newsrooms can win on Giving Tuesday — and keep the momentum all year long

Local newsrooms have a unique opportunity this year to turn community trust into tangible support on Giving Tuesday, the global day of generosity that follows Thanksgiving. In a recent episode of the Keep It Local podcast, Local Media Association Director of Fundraising Initiatives Kristyn Cooper said Giving Tuesday represents “a day dedicated to giving for…

Giving Tuesday fundraising tips, best practices for news organizations

The annual global event Giving Tuesday is just around the corner on Dec. 2. Thousands of nonprofits around the country and in your city and state are likely to participate. Does your news organization plan to join them? If you’re still pondering this question, here is my advice: Never miss an opportunity to educate your…

Words that Work: Making the case for local news

Local Media Association, in partnership with Press Forward, recently hosted a special webinar titled Words That Work: Making the Case for Local News for The Lab Link, the alumni community of LMA’s Lab for Journalism Funding. The session focused on new research identifying the most effective ways to talk about local news when fundraising, including…

Announcing ‘Pitch Day’ winners from the Illinois cohort of the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding

Local news outlets in 2025 understand they must “make the case” for the value of their journalism and earn their community’s support every day through their work. Traditional and new types of revenue are essential to sustainability. Philanthropic support has also become a key to long-term sustainability. Local Media Association launched the LMA Lab for…

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