Press Forward seeks bold solutions to common newsroom challenges in its $20 million Open Call on Infrastructure

Dec 1, 2024

The two-step application process is open now through Jan. 15; grants will fund solutions in priority areas of audience, operations, people and revenue

MIAMI — Press Forward, the nationwide movement to strengthen communities by reimagining local news, is announcing its Open Call on Infrastructure, providing up to $20 million for solutions to newsrooms' common challenges.

Rapid changes have impacted every facet of the news industry, including how outlets produce stories, reach audiences, raise revenue and cultivate talent. At the same time, a dramatic decline in the number of professionals at local news outlets has left many dedicated journalists running on fumes. This grant opportunity seeks to fund bold solutions that will make launching and sustaining local news outlets easier.

Press Forward is particularly seeking replicable, scalable or new ideas that address four priority areas:

  • Building Audience: How can newsrooms attract new audiences and diversify and deepen relationships with existing ones?
  • Strengthening Operations: How can newsrooms share staff or use tools and technology to become more efficient?
  • Cultivating Talent: How can working in the field become more attractive, diverse, inclusive and sustainable?
  • Generating Revenue: How can local news outlets create more revenue from a wider range of sources?

Eligible applicants include journalism support organizations and newsroom-led coalitions and collaborations. Only non-profits are eligible to apply as the lead applicant. For-profit organizations can participate as part of a group application, although the lead applicant for the proposal must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Applications are now open at https://bit.ly/3O5Zv67

Recipients will receive grants of $500,000 to $1.5 million to build, test and/or scale their ideas. Successful proposals will benefit multiple newsrooms and organizations and have the potential to impact the sector at large.

Press Forward is a growing coalition of donors committed to reimagining local news. The funding for this open call comes from donors who contributed to Press Forward's Pooled Fund, housed at The Miami Foundation. In addition to raising money and awareness for local news, Press Forward has launched 31 local chapters around the country (https://bit.ly/4fMZeRT) over the past year, where local leaders are raising funds and gathering support to strengthen their community through local news.

Press Forward is a nationwide movement to strengthen our democracy by revitalizing local news and information. Press Forward's growing coalition of 60+ funders has committed to invest more than $500 million to strengthen local newsrooms, close longstanding gaps in journalism coverage, advance public policy that expands access to local news and scale infrastructure the sector needs to thrive. Press Forward is housed at The Miami Foundation. For more, visit pressforward.news.