Excited to share our latest impact report - and how Press Forward’s coalition of ⭐ 88 ⭐ funders has invested more than $200 million in local news to date. Supporting local news has never been more important or urgent. There are green shoots of promise, models that are having an impact, and leaders rising to meet this moment, many of whom we’re honored to support. We hope you’ll read about these initiatives, and how funders are stepping up for local news: https://bit.ly/4aR2N7B
Press Forward
Philanthropic Fundraising Services
A national coalition strengthening communities by reinvigorating local news
About us
Press Forward is a historic initiative to strengthen democracy in the United States by revitalizing local news and information. The steady and significant decline in the availability of reliable, fact-based local news across the country is connected to growing threats to democracy, increasing polarization, and the spread of disinformation. At the same time, over a decade of investment in journalism experimentation and transformation have produced new models and solutions that are ready to scale, and a new generation of leaders prepared to reinvent and revitalize the field. It’s time to move from individual grantmaking strategies to a shared vision and coordinated action. Press Forward is a national coalition investing more than $500 million to strengthen local newsrooms, close longstanding gaps in journalism coverage, advance public policy that expands access to local news, and to scale the infrastructure the sector needs to thrive. Join the movement at pressforward.news.
- Website
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https://www.pressforward.news/
External link for Press Forward
- Industry
- Philanthropic Fundraising Services
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- Remote
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2023
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
Remote, US
Employees at Press Forward
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Marika Lynch Villaraos
I help nonprofits increase their impact through strategic communications.
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Melissa Milios Davis
Philanthropic leader, nonprofit community builder and lifelong learner
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Caroline Merenda
Press Forward
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Carol Kennedy BS Psychology
“Do or do not, there is no try.” -Yoda
Updates
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Allison Sayer, editor of the Copper River Record, oversees a weekly newspaper that connects 3,000 people in South Central Alaska – but over 20,000+ square miles. Press Forward funding helped the paper integrate the Native Ahtna language into articles and graphics, with plans for audio recordings and a vocabulary page tied to local program teaching children the language. “As far as I know they are the first and only graphics with Ahtna words in a newspaper!” Sayer said. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/em-W5Nsq
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Press Forward reposted this
It was a pleasure to represent 2PuntosPlatform at the WHYY #SummitCivicDialogue, where we discussed our Press Forward grant (we're still happy about it!). It was beautiful to have Madison Karas and Garett Fadeley, both members of our team, as well as two board members, Christopher Malo and @Angeles Durante, present in the auditorium. Jim Friedlich did a sensational job moderating the panel, and it was an honor to share 30 min "rehearsal" with Nina Sachdev and Jess King. Thank you Sarah Glover, MBA, and Lenfest Institute for Journalism #EVEV, for this opportunity. It was a moment to engage in open conversations while embracing one another with warmth. Gracias, Jesenia De Moya Correa! #Philadelphia
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“News and information is a cross-cutting issue.” Most funders in Press Forward’s network “don’t come in as journalism funders,” Director Dale Anglin told Inside Philanthropy. "They come in funding everything else." And yet, whether they focus on health, housing or climate, funders begin to see how local news is essential to advancing their priorities. Since launching, Press Forward has helped 88+ funders invest more than $200 million in local journalism — many for the first time. Each sees that to fund the issues they care about, they also need to fund the systems that inform and connect us. Learn more in Inside Philanthropy: https://lnkd.in/eCPKyiSm
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As the The James B. McClatchy Foundation prepares to sunset in 2030, it’s building a backbone for local journalism in California that will outlast it — by launching the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative and the Press Forward Central Valley Chapter and seeding long-term sustainable infrastructure for local news. Learn about their ecosystem approach to supporting local news: https://lnkd.in/ePGGBr4m Priscilla Enriquez Misty Avila Gereghty Dale Anglin Christina Shih Mark Glaser
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Press Forward reposted this
John Thornton taught me to push boundaries for the greater good. We met in 2020 at Knight Foundation's Knight Media Forum (where he publicly co-launched American Journalism Project). We instantly clicked—not just because he was from Wichita, but because we shared a sense of urgency about reinvigorating local news. He was a relentless champion of our work at Wichita Foundation, always offering encouragement, a well-placed jab, or a nudge to do more—and do it differently. He cut through the noise, called things as they were, and pushed for more because he knew local journalism must be better for places like his hometown to thrive. When we launched Press Forward Wichita last May, he didn’t just send support—he showed up. That’s who he was. I'm going to miss his wit, his belief in our work, and his sly texts of both encouragement and challenge. I also know he’d roll his eyes at too much sentimentality, so to sum it up: He made a difference. I’ll miss him.
We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of John Thornton, co-founder and board member of the American Journalism Project. John was a visionary leader who applied his expertise in venture capital to the urgent cause of rebuilding local news. He was a pioneer, a mentor, and a passionate believer in the power of journalism to strengthen communities. John’s impact on local journalism and the nonprofit news sector is immeasurable. His work helped launch organizations that are transforming the future of local news across the country. We’ve written this tribute to honor his legacy; he will be missed immensely. https://lnkd.in/eywK9p8A
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How are Press Forward grantees turning funding into sustainable growth? 🧠 Austin Vida launched a sponsorship program that will expand mental health coverage. 📰 Black Belt News Network identified new community correspondents to report on Alabama’s news deserts. 📢 Atlantic City Focus purchased a billboard easement—lowering its own ad costs and creating a new revenue stream. All three are members of the Tiny News Collective, which highlighted their work in its latest newsletter. https://lnkd.in/dDb5XNZ5 #PressForward
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75,000 new donors to nonprofit newsrooms - congrats Institute for Nonprofit News and NewsMatch!
What happens when 381 newsrooms come together with their communities? They raise $62 million to support the kind of news people want — news that is created for and with communities. The 2024 NewsMatch campaign is a reminder of what’s possible when people believe in public service journalism. 21 funders joined forces to provide $7 million in direct investments. And perhaps most exciting of all — 75,000 people gave to nonprofit newsrooms for the very first time. Read the NewsMatch 2024 results: https://lnkd.in/eApvYNS8 NewsMatch is building momentum for a stronger future in journalism.
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How can we make the case for local news to a broader audience? Spotlight PA's Christopher Baxter offers insights from Pennsylvania about going beyond discussing local news's impact on democracy to emphasizing its additional benefits for communities. via Nieman Journalism Lab Sophie Culpepper https://lnkd.in/eXqkzgVa
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Congrats to Inside Climate News' newest fellows, supported by the Outrider Foundation! Anika Jane Beamer and Andrés Muedano will be reporting on the climate and the environment. https://lnkd.in/e-nHCRbE