Open Call on
Closing Local Coverage Gaps

General operating support for local news organizations.
Recipients will be announced in October.

Two journalists at a meeting | Press Forward

Closing Local Coverage Gaps

Press Forward’s first open call will address the longstanding inequalities in journalism coverage and practice in the U.S., by investing in small, local newsrooms that provide original reporting in underserved communities.

Through this Open Call on Closing Local Coverage Gaps, at least 100 newsrooms will receive around $100,000 each over two years in unrestricted funds. News organizations with budgets of up to $1 million are eligible.

In the U.S., the news media has not adequately represented, reached nor uplifted the voices of under-represented groups in their coverage. As a result, entire communities are left out of the conversation on the issues that most affect their lives, resulting in lower levels of voting and civic engagement, deeper polarization and a higher cost for government services.

Press Forward wants to ensure that local coverage meets the needs of communities of color, linguistically diverse communities, low-wealth rural communities, and others not adequately served, reached or represented. This open call offers funding to smaller news organizations that are providing the hyperlocal, original reporting people need to make important decisions.

Start the application process by reviewing our program guidelines.

Then, apply for funding.

The application closed  on June 12, 2024. Recipients will be announced in October.

Open: April 30, 2024 Information Sessions: May 9 (register) and June 3 (register) Ongoing: Get help from a grant support specialist Closes: June 12, 2024 Grantees announced: Late summer/ fall of 2024

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Have an operating budget of less than $1 million for 2024  
  • Be in operation and publishing since at least September 1, 2023  
  • Have a commitment to editorial excellence, editorial independence, and transparency  

Applicants can be:  

  • Nonprofits or for-profit organizations
  • University or college student newsrooms producing original reporting that is community-facing  

Read the program guidelines first. Then read the evaluation rubric.

Review our Information and Q&A Sessions

Information Session

Q&A Session

Get Free Help From a Fundraising Coach

Applicants can receive grant writing support from the Lenfest Institute News Philanthropy Network.

Sign up.

A second Open Call on News Transformation will open later this year. Don’t qualify for this open call? Fill out a Press Forward profile, and get your organization before funders.

Dale R. Anglin | Director of Press Forward

For far too long, certain communities have not been properly reflected in nor authors of local news. Press Forward wants to ensure that local coverage meets the needs of communities of color, linguistically diverse communities, low-wealth rural communities, and others not adequately served, reached, or represented.

Dale R. Anglin
Director

Learn more about why Press Forward chose this topic.