Baltimore Beat Drives Innovation and Community Impact

With the support from The Pivot Fund, Baltimore Beat has solidified its position as a vital community resource, combining innovative journalism and creative initiatives to serve Baltimore residents. What began as an alternative news publication has grown into a trusted voice, fostering deeper connections with the community and driving meaningful local change.

The Pivot Fund invested in the Beat after the purchase of the Baltimore Sun by the conservative chairman of the Sinclair Broadcasting Group raised concerns it would become a partisan outlet. At the time, donations were flooding to the larger nonprofit Baltimore Banner but not the Black-led Beat, though the city is 64% Black.

Under Lisa Snowden’s leadership, Baltimore Beat has leveraged Pivot Fund’s investment to expand its staff, strengthen its financial foundation, and grow its audience. The addition of Sanya Kamidi has bolstered the outlet’s editorial capacity, while strategic efforts to attract donors and engage readers have significantly increased financial support and audience engagement.

Baltimore Beat’s unique approach blends impactful reporting with creative, community-centered initiatives. The Beat Boxes Initiative, which repurposes newspaper boxes into supply stations stocked with essentials, exemplifies its commitment to supporting Baltimore residents beyond journalism. A partnership with Peabody Brewery to create a custom “The Beat Goes On” beer demonstrates the outlet’s innovative approach to fundraising and community connection.

Whether preserving Baltimore’s cultural history through the Vintage Artscape Photos Project, empowering youth voters with accessible election guides, or bringing global issues like Gaza to a local audience, Baltimore Beat’s journalism continues to resonate on both a personal and civic level. 

With additional funding from partners like the Ford Foundation and the Democracy Fund, as well as steady growth in online donations, Baltimore Beat is poised to deepen its impact and become an even stronger force for local storytelling and community change.

Audience + Donor Growth

• Increased email subscribers from 1,000 to 1,900.
• Added 200 monthly donors, generating $100,000/year in online donations
• Expanded audience engagement by 60% year over year

Journalism + Community Impact

• Delivered comprehensive election coverage, including accessible election guides produced with Wide Angle Youth Media
• Preserved and showcased the city’s rich cultural history through the Vintage Artscape Photos Project, after gaining access to a previously undigitized photo archive.

Innovative Community Engagement

• Beat Boxes Initiative is a creative program designed to enhance community engagement by turning newspaper boxes into supply stations, consistently stocked with essentials for community members.
• “The Beat Goes On” beer is a partnership with Peabody Brewery to create a unique beer that not only raises funds but also strengthens connections with the local community.

Revenue Growth + Partnerships

After the Pivot investment, attracted additional funding from Ford Foundation ($150K), Democracy Fund ($150K), T. Rowe Price ($15K).