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.

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…

Three proven strategies to strengthen your newsroom’s fundraising

Fundraising for local journalism is not an easy feat. It takes grit, determination, and an ability to tell your newsroom’s story of impact in your community. Those involved in this work know it’s a constant learning process, and one of the best ways to learn is from those who have been successful. At LMA Fest…

LMA announces newsrooms in the 2025 national cohort of the Lab for Journalism Funding

(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…

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