Category Archives: News

As the federal government shutdown reaches 38 days, becoming the longest shutdown in U.S. history, millions of families are facing new uncertainty about how they’ll put food on the table. The Trump administration says it will restart the national food assistance program known as SNAP — but only at half the normal benefit level, usingContinue reading “When the System Falters, Community Media Steps Up”

When people want to understand The Pivot Fund, they often start with our people — and for good reason. Our leadership embodies the expertise and cultural competence that make The Pivot Fund a trusted bridge between philanthropy and community-rooted local news. At the center are Tracie Powell, Susan Smith-Richardson, and Jean Marie Brown — threeContinue reading “Led by Black women with deep journalism expertise”

By launching The Pivot Fund’s new website, we’re doing more than showcasing our work—we’re clarifying our place in the growing ecosystem of organizations supporting local news, and why that role matters to the future of journalism and democracy. Too often, people who care deeply about local news philanthropy tell me they’re not quite sure whatContinue reading “Where The Pivot Fund Fits in the Local News Ecosystem”

When Atlanta journalist Mario Guevara was detained by ICE earlier this year while covering a protest, the impact was immediate and devastating. Mario, who has been a trusted voice in Atlanta’s Hispanic community for more than a decade, built MG News into a newsroom reaching more than 112,000 people across the South. His arrest hasContinue reading “Why Supporting Immigrant-Serving Journalism Matters Now”

In Kansas City, a Black-owned newsroom turns reporting into action, tackling food insecurity while rebuilding civic trust. Community-rooted journalism is more than reporting—it listens, responds, and organizes alongside the people it serves. Few examples illustrate this better than Pivot Fund grantee The Kansas City Defender. When the last grocery store in a historically Black neighborhood shutContinue reading “Journalism as Community Power: The KC Defender’s Food Program”

When federal immigration authorities detained veteran journalist Mario Guevara this summer, the ripple effects spread far beyond his family. Guevara, who has reported on and for Atlanta’s Spanish-speaking community for more than a decade, has become one of the longest-jailed journalists in the United States. His detention has raised alarms not only about press freedomContinue reading “Carrying the Torch: Oscar Guevara Steps Up for MG News”

These examples show the value of supporting partnerships between public media and hyperlocal outlets Hyperlocal newsrooms are used to stretching every dollar, every hour, and every reporter. Public media outlets, too, are being pushed to their financial limits. The recent elimination of $1.1 billion in federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has left more thanContinue reading “Four Public Media x Hyperlocal Partnerships to Watch—And Back”

The Pivot Fund is proud to unveil a refreshed brand—a new visual identity that reflects the bold, community-centered journalism we support and the ambitious vision we’re working toward: directing $500 million to grassroots news outlets serving historically marginalized communities. This brand update is about more than aesthetics. It’s about clarity of purpose, and aligning how weContinue reading “Why We’ve Refreshed Our Brand”

Turning cultural trust into revenue takes building the right internal capacity. Across the country, community-centered newsrooms are navigating a tough balancing act: staying rooted in the people they serve while trying to build revenue models that last. At The Pivot Fund, we’ve been checking in with our grantees—newsrooms led by and for communities long overlookedContinue reading “How Pivot Fund Grantees Are Building Sustainability”

A movement newsroom building lasting infrastructure, deep trust, and measurable impact—on and offline For funders committed to equity, sustainability, and civic engagement, The Kansas City Defender offers a compelling case study in what’s possible when journalism is rooted in service and supported for the long haul. This month, the Black-led newsroom is launching a $500,000 capital campaign—notContinue reading “The Kansas City Defender Redefines Journalism, Cultural Legacy”