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Author Archives: Haeven Gibbons

Don’t Just Find Talent. Grow It.

As layoffs send experienced journalists into the job market, how can community publishers find talent that understands the audiences they serve? In a recent Pivot Fund blog, Don’t Just Mourn the McClatchy Layoffs. Recruit the Talent, Pivot CEO Tracie Powell encouraged independent publishers to see industry layoffs as a recruiting opportunity. But strong hiring goesContinue reading “Don’t Just Find Talent. Grow It.”

Listening Is Part of the Work: 5 Lessons in Community Listening From Pivot Grantees

Community publishers know their audiences are more than readers, listeners or viewers. They’re neighbors with questions, experiences and perspectives that can shape how their communities are covered. But meaningful community listening requires more than asking people what stories they want to see. It means building relationships, creating opportunities for ongoing conversations and making space forContinue reading “Listening Is Part of the Work: 5 Lessons in Community Listening From Pivot Grantees”

5 Ways Community Publishers Can Make Well-Being Part of the Work

Journalism asks us to pay attention to what is happening around us. Betty Ming Liu says journalists should bring some of that same attention to themselves. Community publishers spend their days paying attention: to their communities, their sources, their audiences and the stories that need to be told. That work can be especially demanding inContinue reading “5 Ways Community Publishers Can Make Well-Being Part of the Work”

What Rapid-Response Really Looks Like: Support Helps Black By God Rebound

What happens when a small, independent newsroom suddenly loses $350,000 in funding? In this episode of the Pivot Fund Pod, Pivot Fund grantee Black By God shares how an unexpected funding crisis forced the West Virginia newsroom to act quickly, rethink its approach to sustainability and lean into the community it serves. Founder Crystal GoodContinue reading “What Rapid-Response Really Looks Like: Support Helps Black By God Rebound”

Expand Coverage by Building From Within the Community

The Mississippi Free Press has expanded its reach across Mississippi by investing in reporters and relationships rooted in the communities it wants to better serve. With Pivot Fund support, MFP expanded reporting in East Central Mississippi, including coverage of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, a community that had received little sustained local news coverage.Continue reading “Expand Coverage by Building From Within the Community”

Community Focus Drives Growth: Investing in Trusted Local News

Across The Pivot Fund’s portfolio, grantees have grown their audiences by an average of 218%—evidence that deeply understanding and serving communities can be a powerful growth strategy. Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service (NNS) offers another compelling example. Although NNS is not currently a Pivot grantee, its publisher credits an early investment from Pivot CEO Tracie PowellContinue reading “Community Focus Drives Growth: Investing in Trusted Local News”

Growing a Newsroom Around Community Needs: 285 South’s Impact

The Pivot Fund’s $150,000 investment helped 285 South grow from a one-person newsletter into a community newsroom with the staff, infrastructure and distribution needed to more consistently serve Metro Atlanta’s immigrant and refugee communities. The investment supported the launch of the outlet’s first website, its first full-time reporter and a part-time editor, while helping buildContinue reading “Growing a Newsroom Around Community Needs: 285 South’s Impact”

Building Community Power Through Movement Journalism: The Kansas City Defender’s Impact Story

The Pivot Fund’s $150,000 investment helped The Kansas City Defender build the infrastructure needed to grow beyond a founder-led newsroom. The investment supported key leadership hires, including the organization’s first director of development and revenue and its first senior editor, creating the capacity to strengthen fundraising, expand editorial operations and build long-term sustainability. Those investmentsContinue reading “Building Community Power Through Movement Journalism: The Kansas City Defender’s Impact Story”