The New Mexico Local News Fund brings news organizations across the state together to harness their collective reporting and fundraising power and tell regional or statewide stories that one outlet could not fully cover on its own. The organization is building on a collaborative mindset already in place among New Mexico’s journalists and providing them with resources and training to enhance their reporting.
Frank Mungeam, Chief Innovation Officer with the Local Media Association share key insights from LMA’s inaugural Lab for Journalism Funding, including essential elements of a successful philanthropy pitch, mistakes to avoid, and case study examples from publishers. Larry Lee, CEO of the Sacramento Observer shares his story of fundraising for his family’s historical Black newspaper.
Over the past month, 30 states have made journalism an essential service in their disaster declarations, putting local news outlets on par with hospitals and grocery stores. It makes sense: local news is how we find out about stay at home orders and whether our nearby hospital has tests available. But there is a troubling irony to this moment: The coronavirus — while creating a need for strong local news — has ignited an economic crisis that could wipe out huge swaths of journalism in America.
