Report urges funding for Minnesota’s grassroots community news

Journalism funders in Minnesota have an opportunity to serve the news and information needs of the state’s growing immigrant communities by supporting small and tenacious grassroots news outlets that have already earned their communities’ trust, according to a Pivot Fund report for the state’s Press Forward Local chapter. McKnight Foundation, a founding member of Press ForwardContinue reading “Report urges funding for Minnesota’s grassroots community news”

How We Analyzed Minnesota’s Local News Landscape

Minnesota is changing. And so must the way we deliver news and information. While the state’s population has grown more diverse over the decades, traditional media hasn’t kept up.  In The Pivot Fund’s assessment of Minnesota’s local news landscape, which included listening sessions and focus groups with over 600 Minnesotans from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds,Continue reading “How We Analyzed Minnesota’s Local News Landscape”

Clean Water, Public Parks, and the Power of Rural News

The room was full of funders, but the heart of the conversation was all about community. At the fifth annual Rural Equity Summit, Tracie Powell, founder of The Pivot Fund, joined Sarah Bignall, CEO of KAXE in Northern Minnesota, and Lindsay Ryder, director of the Integrated Rural Strategies Group, for a powerful discussion on theContinue reading “Clean Water, Public Parks, and the Power of Rural News”

285 South’s Unwavering Immigration Coverage

When Sophia Qureshi (she/her) founded 285 South, she set out to redefine immigration coverage in Metro Atlanta. In a region experiencing rapid demographic changes and shifting policies, immigrants needed more than just occasional news stories—they needed a newsroom dedicated to their communities. “Immigration coverage often misses the most important perspective—the people living it every day,” QureshiContinue reading “285 South’s Unwavering Immigration Coverage”

Crystal Good and Black By God: A Story of Reinvention and Impact

Crystal Good is a force—an Afrolachian poet, performer, storyteller, and publisher deeply rooted in West Virginia. She is descended from Black families who have lived in Appalachia for generations. Her journey is one of persistence, reinvention, and the power of storytelling. Now, as the publisher of Black By God: The West Virginian, she is leading aContinue reading “Crystal Good and Black By God: A Story of Reinvention and Impact”

The Pivot Fund Fuels Underscore Native News’ Video Growth

Underscore Native News, a Pivot Fund grantee, is deepening its commitment to audience engagement by expanding into video storytelling with new hire. Bolstered by The Pivot Fund’s $150,000 investment, the organization has brought on Audience Engagement Manager Kyra Antone as its first-ever dedicated video storyteller to enhance Underscore’s powerful storytelling and connect more deeply withContinue reading “The Pivot Fund Fuels Underscore Native News’ Video Growth”

Conecta Arizona Expands Southern Arizona Coverage with New Hire

Pivot Fund grantee Conecta Arizona is expanding its newsroom and deepening its impact in Southern Arizona. The news site hired Paula Díaz as part of Conecta Arizona’s broader growth plan, reinforcing its commitment to community-centered, independent journalism that prioritizes the needs of Arizona’s Latino and immigrant communities. Díaz, an accomplished multimedia journalist with over 20 years ofContinue reading “Conecta Arizona Expands Southern Arizona Coverage with New Hire”

Pivot Fund Renews Support for Five High-Impact Newsrooms

Thanks to the support of our funders, The Pivot Fund is investing another $600,000 in grassroots newsrooms that are redefining local journalism and strengthening their communities. These investments are not just funding journalism—they are fueling economic sustainability, civic engagement, and life-changing reporting in historically underserved communities. With your partnership, we are renewing support for fiveContinue reading “Pivot Fund Renews Support for Five High-Impact Newsrooms”

Pivot Fund Renews Support for Grassroots Newsrooms

The Pivot Fund is proud to invest $600,000 in renewed funding for several grantee partners who are leading the way in community-driven journalism. These organizations, each deeply embedded in their communities, are expanding their reach, developing innovative revenue models, and producing impactful reporting that fills critical information gaps for historically underserved audiences. The renewed granteesContinue reading “Pivot Fund Renews Support for Grassroots Newsrooms”

Finding Strength in Community:A Transformative Gathering in Tulsa

Earlier this month, I had the honor of meeting with 18 news publishers and media founders in Tulsa. It was a warm and eye-opening experience, one that underscored both the challenges and opportunities facing Black- and Brown-led media organizations in Oklahoma. Tulsa holds a special place in my heart. My dad attended school there whenContinue reading “Finding Strength in Community:A Transformative Gathering in Tulsa”