A coalition of 10 funders has announced the launch of Press Forward Chicago with nearly $10 million in early commitments to strengthen and sustain local news organizations.

The initiative will offer civic-minded individuals, philanthropic leaders, and regional foundations the opportunity to pool their dollars to support a robust network of independent news outlets. Initial contributors are the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur, Amy Falls and Hartley Rogers, Field, Joyce, John S. and James L. Knight, Polk Bros., and Pritzker Pucker Family foundations, as well as Christie Hefner, Democracy Fund, and Chicago Community Trust. Press Forward Chicago is a local chapter of Press Forward, a national initiative led by the MacArthur Foundation to strengthen communities and democracy by supporting local news and information with an infusion of more than $500 million dollars over the next five years.

“Chicago is a news oasis,” said MacArthur Foundation president John Palfrey. “Chicago-area independent news outlets are incubators of innovation, and many seek to empower residents, encourage civic engagement, and work to build understanding across our segregated city and region. Through Press Forward Chicago we have the potential to position the Chicago area as a national leader in civic journalism and ensure individuals have access to news and information that is consequential to their daily lives.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Steve King)