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.
PNA, LMA select 12 news organizations for Pennsylvania Lab for Journalism Funding
(May 7, 2024) — Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association and Local Media Association are pleased to announce the 12 news organizations selected to participate in a first-of-its kind state fundraising lab that brings the proven training of the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding to news organizations in Pennsylvania. The 12 organizations selected represent local newsrooms big and…
Local Media Association, PNA Foundation partner to create Pennsylvania Fundraising Lab
(April 2, 2024) — Local Media Association and the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association are pleased to announce a new partnership that will bring the proven training of the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding to publishers in Pennsylvania. All PNA member news organizations in Pennsylvania are invited to apply to join this first-ever statewide cohort of the…
LMA publishes new report: Sustaining philanthropy for journalism
To receive a download link for the new report, Sustaining philanthropy for journalism, please complete and submit the form at the end of this article. Local Media Association is pleased to announce a new report from the LMA Advanced Fundraising Lab on best practices to sustain philanthropy as one source of funding for essential civic…
LMA/LMF 2023 Impact Report
We’re proud to share inspiring stories of news media organizations that have benefited from our programs Dear friends and colleagues in the local media industry, When we launched the Lab for Journalism Funding three years ago, we knew it would be essential for the industry. Watching one of our lab alumni hire 20 new reporters…
How The Day in Connecticut involved the community in fundraising for important housing coverage
The Day, a daily newspaper in New London, Connecticut, covers a 20-town region in eastern Connecticut. Karen Florin, managing editor and participant in the LMA Lab for Journalism Funding, shares details about its successful fundraising efforts to dig deep into the local housing crisis. Local Media Foundation serves as fiscal sponsor for The Day’s Housing…
Word In Black, groundbreaking collaborative with 10 legendary Black publishers, incorporates as public benefit company
Move comes three years after site launched; is expected to accelerate growth Contact: Julia Campbell, Local Media Foundation, julia.campbell@localmedia.org (January 9, 2024) — The long-anticipated day has finally arrived for 10 of the nation’s most trusted and innovative Black publishers, who have worked hard over the past three years to grow Word In Black into…
Limited time? 4 quick tips for launching a Giving Tuesday campaign
Giving Tuesday, this year on Nov. 28, can be a promising opportunity for news organizations. Established in 2012, it’s observed annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and aims to promote philanthropy and giving back to important causes and charities. In 2022, Giving Tuesday campaigns raised $3.1 billion in the U.S., with 35 million adults participating.…
The surprising way to improve local journalism
Want to improve journalism? Make journalists ask for money. That’s the surprising lesson I’ve learned after working with more than 100 local newsrooms in the Local Media Association’s Lab for Journalism Funding. It turns out most journalists hate asking for money. “It feels like a handout,” they say. “I feel like a failure,” they say.…
Press Forward philanthropy initiative launched to drive local news sustainability
Major philanthropy organizations, led by the MacArthur Foundation and the Knight Foundation, will invest at least $500 million in local news over the next five years through the new Press Forward initiative. The details of Press Forward were formally announced on Sept. 7 in news releases from Knight Foundation and from Press Forward. Leaders at…
NOLA’s newsroom expansion to Shreveport is a new model for sustainability
You read that headline right: A long-serving print and digital news outlet is expanding, hiring 10 new reporters and adding coverage to a new area of its state. The story of the launch of the Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate offers hope — and repeatable lessons about sustaining local news — that can be a roadmap for…
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