Category Archives: Resources

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.”

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”

Immigration enforcement is one of the biggest stories facing many communities today. But community publishers aren’t just documenting arrests and detentions — their reporting informs civic participation and helps communities respond in real time to critical decisions shaping their future. Over the past several months, Pivot Fund grantees have demonstrated what that looks like inContinue reading “How to Tell Immigration Stories That Inform, Empower and Mobilize Communities”

1. Pre-Assignment Safety Planning Before covering protests, court proceedings, policing, immigration enforcement, or other government actions: 2. If a Journalist Is Detained or Arrested The newsroom should treat this as an emergency protocol, not a PR issue. Immediate actions (first 30–60 minutes): Do NOT: 3. Legal Response 4. Public Response & Solidarity Silence enables intimidation.Continue reading “Safety & Arrest Response Protocols for Journalists”

🎧 Podcast episode: Building Leadership That Reflects Community: MLK50’s Co-Executive Directors on Shared Power in Journalism Local news leaders are being asked to do more than ever: set editorial vision, fundraise, hire and retain staff, build partnerships, respond to crises, and remain accountable to the communities they serve—all at once. For many outlets, especially community-rootedContinue reading “What Publishers Can Learn From MLK50: Justice Through Journalism’s Shared Leadership Model”

When Enlace Latino NC prepares to cover an event or protest today, nothing feels routine. Founder Paola Jaramillo says the immigrant-led newsroom has had to rethink everything — from what reporters wear to who can safely go into the field — because the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) presence has become increasingly unpredictable. “WeContinue reading “‘Our Coverage Has Been Deeply Affected’: How Enlace Latino NC Navigates ICE Risks at Protests — and What Other Community Newsrooms Can Learn”

In today’s polarized climate, the words we choose can make—or break—our fundraising campaigns. As giving season ramps up, nonprofit newsrooms face a critical challenge: how to raise funds authentically without compromising their mission or alienating supporters. That question took center stage in The Pivot Fund’s recent webinar, Smart Fundraising, Careful Language: Winning Year-End Strategies forContinue reading “Smart Fundraising, Careful Language: Winning Year-End Strategies for 2025”

The final stretch of the year brings big opportunities for community media: grow support, strengthen relationships, and remind your audience why your work matters. End-of-year fundraising isn’t just about donations — it’s about connection. It’s your chance to tell powerful stories, celebrate your newsroom’s impact, and invite your community to invest in its future. WeContinue reading “It’s Time to Launch Your End-of-Year Campaign: How to Prepare”

Community media like NotiVisión Georgia are reimagining public events to ensure safety, belonging, and joy amid rising anti-immigrant tensions. Across the country, community media outlets that serve Spanish-speaking and immigrant audiences are rethinking what it means to host public events. In today’s climate—where fear and uncertainty have grown under new anti-immigrant policies—celebrations that once feltContinue reading “How Community Media Can Host Events in Uncertain Times”

Hyperlocal newsrooms are used to stretching every dollar, every hour, and every reporter. Yet, through strategic partnerships—especially with public media—hyperlocal outlets are expanding reach, resources, and impact. These partnerships are becoming even more crucial as public media itself faces major funding challenges. The recent elimination of $1.1 billion in federal funding for the Corporation for PublicContinue reading “Partnering with Public Media: Tips for Hyperlocal Newsrooms”