Here’s What Hyperlocal Publishers Should Know. A new report circulating in journalism and philanthropy circles argues that the future of local news may depend less on funding individual newsrooms and more on investing in shared systems that support the entire field. The report—Rebuilding Local Journalism at Scale, written by Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro and based onContinue reading “A New Report Says Local Journalism Needs “Infrastructure””
Author Archives: Haeven Gibbons
Community Media Is Turning to Faith Communities for Support
As federal support for the social safety nets shrinks and funders are stretched thin, many community newsrooms are looking for sustainable partners closer to home. One place they are increasingly finding support: faith communities. Across the country, community-rooted outlets are building relationships with churches and other faith institutions — not only for financial support, butContinue reading “Community Media Is Turning to Faith Communities for Support”
A Scalable Model for Rebuilding Rural Civic Information Systems: Black by God’s Folk Reporters Program
Across West Virginia, public decisions are increasingly made without journalists — or residents — in the room. Legislative committees meet. Boards vote. Agencies set policies that shape daily life. Yet in many rural communities, no one is consistently present to witness and document what happens. When meetings go uncovered, decisions affecting education, healthcare, labor protectionsContinue reading “A Scalable Model for Rebuilding Rural Civic Information Systems: Black by God’s Folk Reporters Program”
The Crisis in Local News Isn’t Access, It’s Relevance
A Great Lakes study of nearly 5,000 residents reveals that journalism’s true north is the public. Over the past 15 years, philanthropy has poured billions of dollars into efforts to save journalism. Foundations have funded investigative teams, revived struggling newspapers, launched nonprofit outlets, and supported new reporting initiatives across the country. Yet the crisis inContinue reading “The Crisis in Local News Isn’t Access, It’s Relevance”
Webinar Takeaways: How Community Media Earns Youth Trust
As media habits shift and trust in institutions declines, community publishers face an urgent question: How do we build meaningful relationships with younger audiences? During The Pivot Fund’s recent webinar, How Community Media Earns Youth Trust, youth journalists and leaders from organizations including VOX ATL, a teen-driven publishing platform in Atlanta; ThreeSixty Journalism, a Minnesota-basedContinue reading “Webinar Takeaways: How Community Media Earns Youth Trust”
We’re Hiring: Director of Programs
Location: Remote (U.S.) | Reports to: CEO | Works closely with: Chief Development Officer Direct reports: Portfolio manager, Communications manager (and others as applicable) Status: Full-time, Exempt About The Pivot Fund The Pivot Fund empowers independent, community-rooted news outlets serving underrepresented urban and rural communities. We provide funding and strategic support that strengthens local newsContinue reading “We’re Hiring: Director of Programs”
Journalism’s True North: The Audience
A Great Lakes study of nearly 5,000 residents reveals that the crisis in local news isn’t access — it’s relevance. It’s been more than a decade since Tracie Powell — now founder and CEO of The Pivot Fund — emailed me with a simple question: Would I partner with her on a study examining howContinue reading “Journalism’s True North: The Audience”
Michigan Community News Landscape Today
Original research by The Pivot Fund investigates the local news landscape in Michigan.
Black by God’s Folk Reporters are rebuilding rural civic coverage in West Virginia
Across West Virginia, public decisions are increasingly made without journalists or residents in the room. Legislative committees meet. Boards vote. Agencies set policies that shape daily life. In many rural communities, no one is consistently there to witness and document what happened, and that absence is an accountability problem. Pivot grantee partner, Black by God,Continue reading “Black by God’s Folk Reporters are rebuilding rural civic coverage in West Virginia”
Why Print Still Matters for Community and Immigrant-Serving Newsrooms
Print isn’t dead. For many communities, it’s infrastructure. In the digital-first era, print is often framed as a platform newsrooms should move away from. But for many community-rooted and immigrant-serving outlets, print is central to their mission. It’s tied to how trust is built and it’s key for helping people access vital information, and theContinue reading “Why Print Still Matters for Community and Immigrant-Serving Newsrooms”