Report for America has released a new report that identifies a major new trend – the creation of “Community News Funds” – and outlines how the new funds can be created.
The new strategy involves community foundations working in conjunction with local news leaders in creating a single, permanent fund that draws upon donations from multiple sources, to support local news for years to come.
The report offers several case studies—from urban to rural areas—that reflect how community news funds are already making a difference at a time when many newsrooms are struggling financially. Seven of the communities have raised $15 million over three years with variations of this model.
Report for America’s local sustainability team interviewed more than 30 philanthropic and newsroom leaders to develop its findings. They looked at dynamic actions in Traverse City, Mich., Lancaster, Pa., Fresno, Calif., Lexington, Ky., Seattle and statewide efforts in Pennsylvania and California. Other communities in the report are New Haven, Conn., Rappahannock, Va., and Fauquier County, Va.
While the report looks at best practices, it does highlight some challenges to consider. Many foundations have bylaws or practices that direct their funds exclusively to nonprofits and avoid for-profit entities. In some communities, where for-profit news organizations are the only providers of local news, funders will need to become more flexible, allowing for a greater diversity of business models.
Newsrooms, meanwhile, should expect funders to hold them to certain standards of quality and impact, while still maintaining complete editorial independence between funders and news decision making. For-profit newsrooms will eventually need to create a development staff position to partner with community philanthropy leaders.
Though this will be a shift in strategy, Report for America believes community news funds are the best path forward for communities that are in danger of losing their local news coverage.
The “Community News Funds” report was made possible with support from the Lenfest Institute for Journalism and Meta Journalism Project.
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