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Author Archives: Haeven Gibbons

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”

From Crisis Response to Community Infrastructure: Conecta Arizona’s Impact Story

Community trust doesn’t happen by accident — it requires sustained investment. With support from The Pivot Fund, Conecta Arizona transformed from a newsroom operating in crisis mode into a stronger, more sustainable institution. The organization expanded coverage into Southern Arizona, strengthened its leadership team and grew a community network of more than 80,000 people throughContinue reading “From Crisis Response to Community Infrastructure: Conecta Arizona’s Impact Story”

Capacity Creates Opportunity: Radio Campesina’s Growth Story

As part of The Pivot Fund’s Impact Series, we’re highlighting how investments in trusted, community-rooted publishers builds stronger organizations, healthier local information ecosystems and more resilient communities. First up is Radio Campesina, whose story shows what becomes possible when trusted newsrooms have the capacity to grow. The Pivot Fund’s $150,000 investment helped Radio Campesina hasContinue reading “Capacity Creates Opportunity: Radio Campesina’s Growth Story”