From 2008 to 2018, newsroom employment dropped by 25%, with the sharpest declines experienced by newspapers. Over the past decade, roughly 1,800 local newspapers closed nationwide, leaving over 1,000 communities without local news coverage. Various studies have linked the absence of local news outlets to increased municipal borrowing due to unchecked government expenditures; decreased civic knowledge and engagement; reduced political competition in mayoral races; and increased political polarization. With much at stake, funders from across the country have begun to reinvest in local news – both individually and in partnership.
We invite you to join us for a timely and insightful conversation about local journalism with funders who are making bold investments in the sector and the civic news organizations that they support. Join your funder colleagues in examining current approaches and future opportunities to support a thriving local news ecosystem.
Explore
- The landscape of local journalism and its role in strengthening communities and democracy
- The trends in support for local news and public service journalism
- New funder initiatives and funding models that support local news, including American Journalism Project and the Democracy Fund
Presenters:
- Angelica Das, Senior Program Associate of Engaged Journalism, Democracy Fund
- Elizabeth Green, Co-Founder, American Journalism Project and Chalkbeat
- Jere Hester, Founding Editor in Chief, The CITY
- Julie Sandorf, President, The Charles H. Revson Foundation
- Meghan Van Dyk, Informed Communities Program Officer, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
- Megan McAllister (Moderator), Senior Program Officer, Altman Foundation
Co-sponsored with Philanthropy New York and NYC Youth and Education Funders Working Group.