Press Forward expands to support collaborative news funds in countries outside the U.S.
PINF has recently received support from Press Forward to research and develop a UK version of the successful US-based initiative and build our partnership with US colleagues. In this week's blog, Press Forward Director Dale Robinson Anglin explains the importance of local news regeneration efforts working together across geographies.
Press Forward, the $500 million collaborative fund for local news in the U.S., has expanded its grantmaking to support collaborative news funds in other countries, with support from the MacArthur Foundation. Why are we doing this? We understand that the changing local news industry is not unique to the U. S. And with multiple countries starting collaborative funds, the United States would like to share information and best practices on ways to position news for a broad range of financial support and help the industry manage the various changes it faces.
Why does local news even matter?
Whatever issue drives you — local news runs through it.
Local news is the quiet force that makes every other kind of progress possible. It informs the voters who elect leaders. It empowers the parents who show up at school board meetings. It amplifies the innovators solving problems in their own backyards.
In moments of crisis and hope, local news is the thread that weaves communities together.
And where people have access to trusted, local information:
- More people vote.
- More people volunteer.
- More people run for office.
- Corruption goes down.
And perhaps most important right now: Communities with strong local news are less divided. Town councils fight less and neighbors talk more. Because when everyone has a trustworthy source of local information, conversation becomes possible again.
The Press Forward Network: Strength in Collaboration
Press Forward is a nationwide community of funders, newsrooms and community leaders who believe that we can do far more together than any of us could do alone. Over the past two years, we have grown to include 41 local chapters in over 30 states— each one grounded in its own community yet learning from and strengthening the others. And since joining Press Forward, nearly 70% of our now 110 funders have increased their commitment to local news and information.
Together, we raise funds and awareness about local news. Our coalition has moved more than $400 million into the field — supporting hundreds of local newsrooms and projects that fuel them. We also bring together funders, journalists, and partners to build a more resilient and supportive infrastructure for local news. And because local news is a public good, we help build cross-sector coalitions that advocate for public support and investment in local news.
An Opportunity and a Challenge
We have a great opportunity: In a new national poll commissioned by Press Forward, over 87% of Americans say they rely on local news to help them navigate daily life. However, there’s a paradox: Every morning, we wake up to an avalanche of information — social feeds, neighborhood chats, endless pings and posts. But we also have less of what really matters in our feeds: the verified news we can trust about our neighbors and neighborhoods.
Yet while the demand for fact-based local news has never been greater, the industry that has historically produced it is under strain:
- Advertising traditionally sustained most local newsrooms. But over the past 25 years, advertising dollars have fled to digital platforms.
- As a result, newsrooms are shrinking, with the number of local U.S. journalists down by about 75% since 2002.
- Newsrooms rely on both search and social media to bring people to their sites. But social media companies are putting less verified news in people’s feeds, and AI search now provides answers that mean less people are going to news sites.
There is no single fix for local news. But the way through it is by investing in communities - and their ability to solve their own problems. And bringing a range of champions and stakeholders to support this work.
This is what Press Forward looks like in action: National coordination, local leadership, and a shared belief that trusted information is the foundation of thriving communities.
Supporting the Public Interest News Foundation
None of the challenges or opportunities described above are unique to the U.S. Each country has its own customized issues, but we share this complex dilemma.
Our recent grant to the Public Interest News Foundation (PINF) is a first step in joining forces with like-minded collaborative funds to support public interest news - ethical and impartial journalism that informs and empowers the public about the things that matter to all of us. We know each country will take slightly different strategies, but collectively can we support each other as we tackle this vitally important issue to communities across the globe.
Please note, this grant opportunity from Press Forward is intended to support collaborative funds outside of the U.S. that have already raised initial funds locally. It’s not for individual outlets and is by invitation only, with grant amounts ranging from $25,000 to $250,000.
For more information, contact Press Forward at info@pressfoward.news.
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