Martin G. Reynolds, co-executive director of The Maynard Institute, leads a Press Forward cohort.

When Press Forward announced its first round of Closing Local Coverage Gaps grants, we knew our impact would depend on more than how much money we gave. Dollars alone cannot rebuild a local news ecosystem. People, ideas, and infrastructure do that. 

In our first year of working with grantees, we have been learning alongside them, listening closely to their needs, and seeing what real experimentation looks like in practice. We have watched Midcoast Villager expand its reach by opening a community café to supplement revenue and deepen local engagement; Mississippi Free Press and Jackson Advocate join forces to strengthen investigative reporting and financial sustainability; and The Haitian Times make its first full-time business-side hire to build stronger fundraising systems. 

This past year has shown that Press Forward’s greatest value lies not only in distributing funds but in creating the conditions for organizations to grow stronger together. 

Turning Reporting into Reflection 

Instead of asking grantees for traditional written reports, Press Forward replaced the process with something mutually beneficial: LION Sustainability Audits. 

Press Forward’s Graham Ringo speaks at the LION Sustainability Summit. Photo courtesy of LION Publishers.

Each Audit gives grantees a chance to take a step back and reflect on how their business is operating: where revenue is coming from, how roles are defined, and how well their systems align with audience and mission goals. It is less about compliance and more about clarity, a mutual process that benefits both the newsroom and Press Forward. 

The Audits also serve as a foundation for one-on-one coaching from Blue Engine Collaborative throughout 2026, helping organizations apply what they learn in real time. At the end of Press Forward’s two-year grant cycle, a final Audit will measure growth and capture progress. 

By turning grant reporting into a capacity-building exercise, we are ensuring that reflection leads to action and that every organization, no matter its size or stage, gets individualized support to help it become more sustainable.

Learning Together, Growing Together 

The LION Audits are just one way we’re supporting grantees. Because our approach to learning is rooted in community, over the past year, we have built opportunities for grantees to connect with one another and with the wider journalism ecosystem. 

We sponsored five major affinity conferences — AAJA, NABJ, NAHJ, NLGJA, and IJA — guaranteeing membership and access for Press Forward grantees. For many, it was their first time attending, opening doors to training, collaboration, peer connection, and visibility that might otherwise have been out of reach. 

Focusing on the Business of Journalism 

The Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit, which Press Forward co-hosted with the Lenfest Institute, became a defining moment in our learning journey. Unlike many industry conferences that focus on editorial innovation, this one centered squarely on the business side of journalism. 

More than 300 fundraising professionals attended the first in-person Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit, supported by Press Forward.

The summit, the first held in person, brought together more than 300 leaders in revenue, operations, and development, not only from within journalism but also from other sectors. That cross-pollination sparked new ideas about financial management, audience engagement, and sustainable growth. 

For many Press Forward grantees who work on business operations, it was also a rare moment of connection. They met peers who understood their challenges and who continue to share advice and inspiration year-round. This experience reflected Press Forward’s deep commitment to strengthening the financial infrastructure of local news and helping outlets build businesses that can thrive. We’re looking forward to the 2026 edition. 

Building Skills for the Long Haul 

Our partnership with the Maynard Institute focused on strengthening the business acumen of local news leaders for eight Press Forward grantees. Through hands-on training in financial management, audience strategy, and operations, participants developed tools to run their organizations with more confidence and purpose. 

Over several months, participants explored everything from budgeting and fundraising to human resources and strategic planning. They learned how to forecast revenue, evaluate expenses, and communicate the value of their work to funders and audiences alike. Many entered the program seeking to strengthen their financial foundations and left with a renewed sense of control over their organizations’ futures. 

For some, the experience offered more than training. It was the first time they had been in a room with peers facing similar operational and leadership challenges. They built relationships that have continued well beyond the cohort, sharing resources and celebrating milestones together. 

And in Salt Lake City, more than 80 grantees gathered for the Business of Local Conference, co-led by Blue Engine and the creators of the Newsletter Conference. It was two days of deep, practical learning about newsletters, membership programs, and diversified revenue models, and it reminded everyone that building a business can be as creative as producing great journalism. 

Investing in Growth Beyond Grants 

As Press Forward enters its next year, our focus remains on creating the conditions for success by pairing capital with community, data with coaching, and learning with collaboration. As we work through this process, we will also share learnings with funders on how to support and strengthen local news and support smaller newsrooms. 

We are still in the early stages of this journey, but one thing is clear: when we invest more than funds, we invest in resilience. Each Audit, conference, cohort, and conversation adds up to something bigger:  a stronger, more connected local news ecosystem that can stand the test of time. 

Graham Ringo is Press Forward’s grantee engagement and support manager.