When Kimberly Spencer became director of the Colorado Media Project (CMP), home to Press Forward Colorado, she had one clear priority: listen first. Spencer, who stepped into the role in February 2025, spent her first two months meeting with newsrooms across the state to ask what roadblocks they’re facing. Some answers were expected — like revenue challenges and hiring concerns. … Read More
Impact snapshot from a Press Forward grantee newsroom By Mark Glaser Who: Nancy Flores, editor and publisher, Austin Vida What: Flores relaunched an online magazine that had been shuttered for five years, reimagining it for a new generation of bi-cultural Austinites with a solutions journalism lens. Austin Vida is a digital Latino news and culture outlet. Austin Vida has curated … Read More
By Mark Glaser In 2019, when workers at sports site Deadspin were upset with its private equity owners and management control over its editorial direction, they quit and, in 2020, struck out to start Defector Media, a worker-owned cooperative. More recently, when public media station WAMU shut down DCist in 2024, a group of laid-off workers started The 51st, eventually … Read More
Journalists are in a difficult bind: As they come under increasing attack online and in person, they also have an ingrained culture of getting the work done and getting the story out without considering their own safety or mental health. “Journalists often internalize burnout as a rite of passage,” said Luisa Ortiz Pérez, executive director of Vita Activa. “Many reporters … Read More
At Press Forward, we know that community-minded individuals, institutions and businesses all have a role to play in ensuring reliable public access to trustworthy local news and civic information — and we’re proud to be part of a nationwide movement that is catalyzing more public awareness and philanthropic support for local news. We also firmly believe that donations, grants and … Read More
Impact snapshot from a Press Forward grantee newsroom Who: Javier Marin, executive chairman, El Planeta Where: Based in Boston; serving Massachusetts. What: Since 2004, El Planeta is the leading Spanish-language news organization in Massachusetts, serving over 600,000 Latinos through print, digital, social and community platforms. It provides culturally relevant journalism and reporting on news, public policy, health, education and immigration, … Read More
Reporting contributed by Jared Council, Joseph Lichterman, Marika Lynch, Caroline Merenda, Andrew Nodell, and Graham Ringo. News philanthropy has come of age and become an important force for good in the world of journalism — just when journalism needs it most. The Lenfest Institute for Journalism and Press Forward convened more than 350 news fundraisers from across the country for … Read More
With a population just under 400,000, Wichita is Kansas’s largest city. Nationally, though, it ranks 50th in size — big enough to be a hub, but not always large enough to attract national attention or funding. That presents unique challenges when it comes to supporting local journalism: fewer resources, limited access to national networks, and reduced opportunities for journalists. But … Read More
An impact snapshot from a Press Forward grantee newsroom. Who: Kerry Semrad, general manager, KZUM Community Radio Where: Lincoln, Neb. and surrounding communities of Lancaster County. What: Nonprofit, listener-supported community radio station that has been broadcasting since 1978, with a mission of educating and building community through independent voices. The station’s 100+ volunteers produce more than 7,000 hours of … Read More
An impact spotlight from a Press Forward grantee newsroom. Who: Alex Bloomingdale (a.k.a. Blazedale), publisher; Javier Cabral, editor, L.A. TACO. What: Founded in 2006, L.A. TACO is an independently owned and operated digital publisher, with news stories that cover Los Angeles’ most underserved communities. There are features on L.A.’s underground culture and everyday heroes in the city, along with a … Read More
