The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has announced more than $9 million over three years in support of local news networks and publishers of color. 

To boost scalable networks and build local journalism’s infrastructure to help pave the road to long-term business success, the awards will bolster the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) ($4.75 million); Local Independent Online News Publishers (LION) ($2.85 million); and the Center for Community Media (CCM) at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York ($2.01 million).

INN aims to provide training on fundraising and revenue solutions for the INN Network while building journalism collaboratives and recruiting and retaining more leaders of color; LION will support more than 100 Sustainability Audits, a comprehensive process for LION members to identify and respond constructively to roadblocks to sustainability within their organizations; and CCM will work to expand its successful programs for publishers of color, including the Advertising Boost Initiative, which led to the city spending millions of dollars in advertising with ethnic and community media. 

“These are networks of independent local news providers, outlets that are family owned or run by community-minded journalism entrepreneurs,” said Knight Foundation journalism director Karen Rundlet. “These organizations inform local audiences, Black, immigrant, and rural communities. Knight’s funding will support programs to make their businesses stronger so they have a real shot at longevity.” 

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