"Nobody told you that you, the journalism professional reading this, already know how to fundraise. The skills that make you good at your job as a journalist are the same skills that make someone great at fundraising. You were just led to believe that the training didn’t count here too."

Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit: You don't need to become someone else to raise money

The skills that make you good at your job as a journalist are the same skills that make someone great at fundraising.

lenfestinstitute.org

As publishers utilize AI to support their workflows, OpenAI named its top experiments to watch. Among them: Projects from @inquirer.com, @sfstandard.com, Chicago Public Media, & @seattletimes.com — all members of the Lenfest AI Collaborative & Fellowship Program in partnership w/ OpenAI & Microsoft.

How news organizations are using AI to advance their vital missions

News organizations are using AI to strengthen reporting, grow audiences, and improve business operations, with OpenAI tools supporting journalists and publishers worldwide.

openai.com

We're hiring a part time Media Ecosystem Coordinator to support a two-year initiative for local news organizations serving communities across Central Texas. This role is part of the Lenfest Expert Network & helps participating publishers stay connected, engaged, & informed. Apply by Sunday, Aug. 9:

Working at the crossroads of local journalism and philanthropy can leave you feeling like you’ve landed from another planet. But after the Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit, Ruth Marie Canahuati writes: “the most important achievement was discovering that I am not the only one who speaks Martian.”

Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit — Speaking Martian: bringing journalism philanthropy to Honduras

How the Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit can help build bridges between philanthropy and media outlets beyond the U.S.

lenfestinstitute.org

Houston-based creator Shawn Singh (@ShawnTheFoodSheep) and Jennifer Chang from the @houstonchronicle.com are joining the Lenfest Audience Community this week for a candid conversation on how the media and creator ecosystems are working together. Learn more this Thursday at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT:

Inside Houston’s creator economy: What successful creator/newsroom partnerships look like

Creator Shawn Singh & The Houston Chronicle share how the media and creator ecosystems are evolving in this free workshop.

lenfestinstitute.org

“In most news orgs, serving today’s audience and preparing tomorrow’s journalists are separate endeavors. At The Red & Black, they are one and the same.” How the Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit helped The Red & Black find clarity around its mission to train the next generation of reporters:

Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit: The future of local news is sitting in a student newsroom

Helping student media build sustainable businesses will ensure the next generation of reporters have a place to hone their skills.

lenfestinstitute.org

What does a sustainable local news look like in 2026? After analyzing 900+ sustainability audits from nearly 600 independent news orgs, @lionpubs.bsky.social introduced a "Sustaining" stage that emphasizes resilience, adaptability & long-term organizational health. Worth the read: bit.ly/4vHGpX9

Trove of LION Audit data reveals what a 'Sustaining' news business looks like in 2026 - LION Publishers

More than 400 local news businesses later, we’ve adjusted our maturity model to better reflect resiliency in the sector.

bit.ly

AI can add capacity, but human judgment remains a key advantage in journalism. Sonali Verma & Chase Davis from our AI Collaborative &Fellowship share how they see AI creating opportunities for local news while reinforcing the value of trusted journalism. Read more: bit.ly/4ynsOXx #localnews

Welcoming Chase Davis and Sonali Verma to the Lenfest AI Collaborative and Fellowship

Chase Davis is joining as Technical Lead and Sonali Verma will serve as Amplification Lead. Together, they will share lessons from the Lenfest AI Collaborative and Fellowship.

bit.ly

We're excited to welcome Chase Davis (Technical Lead) and Sonali Verma (Amplification Lead) to the Lenfest AI Collaborative and Fellowship. In a new Q&A, they discuss why sharing successes and setbacks matters and where they see AI creating opportunities for local news. Read more: bit.ly/4ynsOXx

As America celebrates its 250th birthday, it's worth asking: what actually keeps democracy running? We believe local news is a big part of the answer. This holiday weekend, we’re grateful to local news organizations across the country for their work — and to people like you who make it possible.

Newsletter: Celebrating independent news for Independence Day

Ahead of America's 250th anniversary, new data from the Statewide News Collective reveals how local news inspires civic engagement.

lenfestinstitute.org

As local newsrooms face business challenges, the Lenfest Expert Network is working to connect them with consultants that provide tailored solutions — all at no cost to the newsroom. Less than a year after launching, our experts are already making an impact on publishers ⬇️

Lenfest connects local newsrooms with the expertise they need to grow - Editor and Publisher

Local news organizations know they need to evolve. The challenge is often figuring out how. As publishers wrestle with audience growth, revenue diversification and long-term sustainability, a growing ...

editorandpublisher.com

New research from @lenfestinstitute.org examined five AJP-supported statewide nonprofit newsrooms and found readers are better informed about local issues and more likely to participate in civic life. More ⬇️

Nonprofit local news is building trust and civic engagement, research finds - American Journalism Project

Research from Lenfest Institute and Danny Hayes explores how five statewide local news organizations are growing and engaging audiences.

theajp.org

How well is your news organization prepared to manage shifting trends in audience, revenue, tech, and operations? Introducing the 2030 Newsroom Readiness Diagnostic, a free tool to help your org identify areas for growth and find resources to help you prepare for the future:

Is your news organization ready for what’s next? Take our new diagnostic to find out

The 2030 Newsroom Readiness Diagnostic can help your news org find audience, revenue, technology, and organizational change resources.

lenfestinstitute.org

The Lenfest Institute is honored to be part of Press Forward's new $1.5 million grant program. Through this investment, we’ll continue our work in Pennsylvania to expand access to trusted local journalism and develop First Amendment-friendly policy solutions in support of local news.

Press Forward Invests $1.45 Million to Advance State Policies Supporting Local News | Press Forward

The investment will help coalitions advocate for states to expand access to trusted local news.

pressforward.news

📣 Calling all Philly media and community organizations: Join us for a virtual info session today at 1 p.m. EDT to learn more about how you can get involved with Every Voice, Every Vote. Register here:

Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: EVEV 3.0 - Virtual Info Session. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

Join us for this virtual info session about the EVEV 3.0 grant application cycle. This session is open to media leaders, community organizations, researchers, social media ambassadors, storytellers,...

lenfestinstitute-org.zoom.us

The Lenfest Institute for Journalism@lenfestinstitute.org · 2mo ago

Every Voice, Every Vote is today announcing the launch of a new, two-year, $1.8 million grant program to support in-depth local journalism on key issues and drive civic action in Philadelphia. Applications for funding are now open through July 13.

Marketing your newsroom’s work is essential to securing support and advancing your mission. @kenschneck.bsky.social of @thebuckeyeflame.com joins the Lenfest News Philanthropy Network this Thursday, June 25 at 3 p.m. EDT / 12 p.m. PDT to teach the art of "shameless self-promotion" 📣💡⭐

Shameless self promotion: Selling your newsroom idea clearly, concisely, and compellingly

A free virtual encore presentation from the 2026 Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit to help news organizations market their work.

lenfestinstitute.org

“Newsrooms can no longer ignore the parallel creator economy but must instead find ways to engage with it.” @poynterinstitute.bsky.social shares how independent news creators are finding their footing in the media ecosystem — including through programs like the Lenfest News Creator Collaborative:

What journalists gain — and lose — when they go independent - Poynter

The creator economy is opening new doors for journalists. But can independence replace everything a newsroom provides?

poynter.org

Join the Lenfest Audience Community this Wednesday: @inquirer.com shares how it's fueling triple-digit subscription growth, increasing reader revenue, and strengthening subscriber retention in a highly competitive media landscape. Register now to learn about building long-term loyalty ⬇️

Driving subscription growth, retention, & high-impact journalism with The Philadelphia Inquirer

A workshop on subscription growth, increasing reader revenue, and strengthening subscriber retention in a highly competitive media landscape.

lenfestinstitute.org

If you're at #INNDays in Pittsburgh this week: Sign up for Lenfest Expert Network office hours and learn how to use creators to grow audience, expand distribution, reach younger consumers, and build sustainable engagement strategies. Only a few slots remain ⬇️

INN Days Creator Strategy Session - Cheryl Thompson-Morton

A 45-minute 1:1 strategy session with creator journalism consultant Dion Rabouin at INN Days 2026. Please complete all intake questions so Dion can make the most of your time together. Sessions are in...

calendly.com

Every Voice, Every Vote is today announcing the launch of a new, two-year, $1.8 million grant program to support in-depth local journalism on key issues and drive civic action in Philadelphia. Applications for funding are now open through July 13.

Every Voice, Every Vote coalition launches two-year, $1.8M grant program to expand civic news and information efforts

Philadelphia media and community organizations can apply for funding to support civic news and information efforts from now through July 13.

lenfestinstitute.org

@lenfestinstitute.org announced the launch of the Philadelphia Local News 2030 Initiative, a two-year, $1 million grant program that provides support to 10 Philadelphia-area local newsrooms.

Lenfest Institute’s Bet on Local News

Ten Philly-area organizations will receive funding, consulting and innovation services through the Philadelphia Local News 2030 Initiative

thephiladelphiacitizen.org

Join the Lenfest Audience Community this Wednesday: @inquirer.com shares how it's fueling triple-digit subscription growth, increasing reader revenue, and strengthening subscriber retention in a highly competitive media landscape. Register now to learn about building long-term loyalty ⬇️

Driving subscription growth, retention, & high-impact journalism with The Philadelphia Inquirer

A workshop on subscription growth, increasing reader revenue, and strengthening subscriber retention in a highly competitive media landscape.

lenfestinstitute.org

Happening tomorrow ⬇️

The Lenfest Institute for Journalism@lenfestinstitute.org · 2mo ago

Drawing on her experience at Future Tides, Cara Kuhlman joins the Lenfest Communities of Practice on June 11 at 2 p.m. EDT / 11 a.m. PDT to introduce a “tours-as-journalism” model, showing how walking tours can function as storytelling platforms, engagement tools, and revenue streams.

At this year’s @lenfestinstitute.org summit, we hosted a discussion with news media fundraisers, editors and publishers to learn more about their work and how the pressures they face are impacting their mental well-being. Read our latest blog post: mdrnet.org/2026/06/05/t...

A new report on five Statewide News Collective members — @mtnstspotlight.bsky.social, @spotlightpa.org, @coloradosun.com, @thenvindy.com, and @mississippitoday.org — reveals how independent local news creates community, inspires civic engagement, and leaves a lasting, real-world impact ⬇️

The Community Impact of Independent Journalism: New Evidence from Five States

A new study on five statewide newsrooms reveals independent local journalism is making substantial contributions to civic life.

lenfestinstitute.org

What if news products could move beyond static articles and adapt to each reader's individual interests and needs? Kevin Delaney joined @jimfriedlich.bsky.social on the latest episode of Newsroom Robots to discuss how @sfstandard.com's AI-powered news app is doing just that.

How The San Francisco Standard is Reinventing the News App: In Conversation with Kevin Delaney & Jim Friedlich

This episode of Newsroom Robots is supported by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism.

newsroomrobots.com

Drawing on her experience at Future Tides, Cara Kuhlman joins the Lenfest Communities of Practice on June 11 at 2 p.m. EDT / 11 a.m. PDT to introduce a “tours-as-journalism” model, showing how walking tours can function as storytelling platforms, engagement tools, and revenue streams.

Walking the news: Building walking tours to engage audiences and generate revenue

A free session from the Lenfest Communities of Practice on how walking tours can drive engagement and revenue.

lenfestinstitute.org

What does it take to build news orgs that can serve communities through 2030 and beyond? Today we're launching the Philadelphia Local News 2030 Initiative, a $1 million effort to help 10 Philly-area publishers experiment with new business models and adapt to a rapidly changing media landscape.

Lenfest Institute launches $1 million Philadelphia Local News 2030 Initiative

Ten Philadelphia-area news organizations will receive funding, consulting, and innovation services through a two-year, $1 million initiative focused on sustainability.

lenfestinstitute.org

We worked with 13 newsrooms to test a new toolkit from to help them improve communication and fundraising around their investigative work. buff.ly/gA4t4u7

What does it take to rally support for local journalism? At the 2026 Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit, 500 news fundraisers, publishers, and funders shared tips for: 💬 Telling your organization’s story 🤝 Finding alignment with donors 💸 Building a revenue mix that goes beyond philanthropy

‘Think about the vision and the world that you're building:’ How fundraisers are fueling the future of local news

What does it take to rally support for local journalism? Fundraisers at the 2026 Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit share best practices.

lenfestinstitute.org