Why This Matters

Overlooked Communities Are Building the Future of Local News

There was never a golden age of newspapers for communities of color. Even when local papers were minting money for their owners in the 20th century, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Indigenous, and other marginalized people were largely ignored or simply stereotyped.

Now these communities are building their own news outlets. Most don’t look anything like the broadsheets of old or even media company websites. They all publish on social media, some exclusively. But they share a commitment to accuracy, accountability, and the interests of their audiences.

They are ahead of the curve in important ways. They are meeting audiences where they are, on social media, even as traditional publishers flounder to find authentic ways to reach audiences. They tell stories in ways native to social media and treat audience engagement as a given.

Their success matters. Local news can lead to increased civic participation, including voting. It can keep local officials honest and save taxpayers money. It can inform economic decisions. It can even reduce polarization by helping people identify with their local communities rather than with national political tribes.

Communities of color are targeted disproportionately by misinformation. Accurate, trusted local news outlets are even more important. They also empower communities to tell their own stories, replacing stereotypes with achievements and conveying our shared humanity.

Most funders don’t know how to support these hyperlocal outlets. Their founders are skilled at doing a lot with a little but rarely have time for bootcamps, accelerators and the reporting requirements that even small grants carry. Yet these outlets have something money can’t buy – the trust of their communities.

The Pivot Fund helps philanthropy support hyperlocal, digital news outlets at scale. We analyze the news landscape, recommend local outlets for investment, and provide culturally competent wrap-around services that match their unique needs.

Hyperlocal, digital news outlets are a solution waiting to happen. Let’s not inadvertently re-create the old, inequitable news landscape by only funding well-connected news ventures. The seeds of the future of local news are already sprouting, but they desperately need to be nurtured.

The fruit of this labor? A healthy multicultural democracy powered by informed and engaged citizens. 

We can do this together.

Tracie first name written in handwriting like a signature

Tracie Powell
Pivot Fund founder and CEO