Institute for Nonprofit News

We’re 1️⃣ week out from NewsMatch 2026! We asked three newsrooms that have participated in NewsMatch for the last 10 years how they've leveraged NewsMatch funds, training and the national campaign to charge their long-term sustainability:

⭐ @bridgemi.com ⭐ @voiceofoc.bsky.social ⭐ @ctmirror.org Read more: inn.org/news/how-new...

inn.orgReaching people in ‘different ways’: Nonprofit newsrooms are producing zinesLessons from two nonprofit newsrooms who have produced zines recently – providing stories and service.

“We are constantly trying to reach people in different ways," said Kiran Saini, @outliermedia.org's audience manager. Outlier's first zine, “Profits & Losses," was released in June. Read about the idea, costs and outcomes of the project: inn.org/news/reachin...

What does a decade of community investment mean for nonprofit news? For 10 years, NewsMatch has helped independent newsrooms strengthen their fundraising and build lasting relationships with supporters. A new INN impact report examines how the program has helped the nonprofit news movement grow. 🧵

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Growing revenue has also helped newsrooms invest in their teams. As NewsMatch participants expanded their budgets through fundraising and other revenue-generating efforts, they were able to hire more people and strengthen their capacity to serve their communities.

📋 Explore the full findings in the NewsMatch at 10 Impact Report. 🔗: https://inn.org/our-work/newsmatch/newsmatch-at-10-decade-of-impact/

More people are investing in nonprofit news, and local supporters are playing a growing role. NewsMatch has helped participating newsrooms attract larger individual gifts and secure matching contributions from local donors. Here's how that support has grown. ⬇️

Stronger fundraising capacity has helped newsrooms expand their financial resources. Among NewsMatch participants, growth in individual giving has outpaced foundation support, while a growing share of newsrooms now operate with annual budgets exceeding $1 million.

21 Sept

INN and BlueLena have launched the INN Level Up Mid-Level Giving Accelerator, a six-month program that helps independent newsrooms grow the donors in the middle of their files. 🔗 inn.org/news/inn-and...

@biglocalnews.bsky.social

21 Sept

The first cohort includes INN Network newsrooms @montclairlocalnews.bsky.social, @cardinalnews.org, @fresnoland.bsky.social, @publicsource.org, @azluminaria.org, @themainemonitor.org and @rns.org.

Institute for Nonprofit News reposted

Big Local News

18 Sept

School districts across Minnesota are consolidating. This isn't a new problem. But when a community loses its school, residents can feel like they are losing part of themselves, too. Story by @inn.org member, KAXE 👉 www.kaxe.org/local-news/2...

kaxe.orgWhen rural districts combine, wins for budgets and students come with identity lossThe Iron Range offers a window into communities reckoning with how their identities must change for the betterment of future generations as schools increasingly collaborate.

inn.orgDisaster response in 2026: INN and GNI have made 23 grants to news organizations covering fires and floodsAs wildfires and floods hit parts of the U.S. in August, independent newsrooms provided crucial coverage.

18 Sept

In August, wildfires hit Washington and Nevada, there was flooding in Illinois and a derecho tore through Indiana. To support news organizations covering natural disasters, INN and Google News Initiative awarded 23 independent newsrooms $10,000 each in unrestricted funds. inn.org/news/disaste...

inn.orgINN opens applications for its social video production programUp to 50 INN members will get help building sustainable video workflows.

27 Aug

Up to 50 INN member newsrooms will get help building sustainable video workflows as part of INN’s new social video production program. INN members can apply by Sept. 4. inn.org/news/inn-ope...

21 Aug

In a public comment submitted to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Aug. 19, INN objected to the agency’s proposal to eliminate the EEO-1 report, which requires employers with more than 100 employees to file demographic data. Read the full comment: inn.org/news/inn-sub...

linkedin.comA conversation with Denia PérezDenia C. Pérez is an immigration lawyer by training.

24 July

Denia Pérez is an immigration lawyer by training. Now, she’s the Latino Community Correspondent for @documentedny.bsky.social, an INN Network member dedicated to reporting with and for immigrant communities in New York City. Read this month's In Other News: www.linkedin.com/pulse/conver...

news.inn.org‘What is our impact?’: Takeaways from INN Days, Part 2 - INN NewsFocusing on news gathering and reporting is not enough to ensure news outlets become and remain viable. Publishers also have to address demand for news—or the lack thereof. That’s why audience engage...

10 July

How did audience engagement become the priority for nonprofit newsrooms? Read the takeaways from multiple sessions at #INNDays26. news.inn.org/what-is-our-...

news.inn.orgPartnering to boost funding: Takeaways from INN Days, part 1 - INN NewsA key message nonprofit news leaders heard during INN Days may run counter to some long-held ideals of journalism: Get involved.

29 June

“There will never be a better advocate for you and your profession than you in your profession,” said U.S. Rep. Chris Rabb in a fireside chat on policy with INN Executive Director Karen Rundlet at INN Days 2026 in Pittsburgh. Read more: news.inn.org/partnering-t...

Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 Nonprofit News Awards who illustrate what it means to serve the public through journalism. Best Investigative Journalism: @jaxtoday.org, @voicesofmonterybay.bsky.social, @injusticewatch.org, @occrp.org.

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Special appreciation to INN Service to Nonprofit News Award winner Norberto Santana Jr. #INNYs2026

news.inn.orgSixth annual Nonprofit News Awards highlight watchdog reporting, innovative leadership and storytelling on immigration - INN NewsWinners of the 2026 INNYs represent innovation, transformational leadership and impactful reporting.

Read more: news.inn.org/sixth-annual... View the winners: inn.org/about/our-wo...

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And kudos to the individuals and organizations who represent the best of the nonprofit news business. Startup of the Year @richmonder.bsky.social, Journalism Collaboration of the Year @thewarhorsenews.bsky.social and @npr.org, and INNovator Award @conectaarizona.bsky.social.

Congrats to Emerging Leader of the Year Khadijah Bland and Nonprofit Newcomer of the Year @franciagarciah.bsky.social.

Insight Award for Explanatory Journalism: @theshoestring.bsky.social, Suncoast Searchlight, @eltimpano.bsky.social, @civilbeat.bsky.social. Breaking Barriers Award: @voicesofmonterybay.bsky.social, Gray Area Podcast, @azluminaria.org, @fullerproject.org, @boltsmag.org, @highcountrynews.org.

Community Champion Award: @afrolanews.bsky.social, South Dakota News Watch, @typeinvestigations.org, @southsideweekly.bsky.social, @mississippitoday.org. Insight Award for Visual Journalism: @toledofreepress.bsky.social, @eltecolotesf.bsky.social, @newbedfordlight.bsky.social, @thetrace.org.

news.inn.orgLet's connect with audiences: Opening remarks at INN Days - INN NewsKaren Rundlet kicks off INN Days 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA, June 16.

16 June

INN CEO Karen Rundlet kicks off INN Days 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA with a focus on audience, revenue and policy to advance the nonprofit news movement. news.inn.org/lets-connect...

9 June

The 2026 INN Index data is out — and despite economic, political and technological upheaval in 2025, the nonprofit news field remains steady. 🔗: https://inn.org/research/inn-index/2026-index/

news.inn.orgHow CT Mirror became a Pulitzer-winning newsroom - INN NewsBruce Putterman, the publisher / CEO of CT Mirror—which together with ProPublica won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for local reporting—has advice for growing a small, regionally-focused newsroom: invest in ...

15 May

“My advice, therefore, is to strike the right balance between newsroom and sustainable growth from the very beginning.” — Bruce Putterman, CEO and publisher Read our INNsights piece on how @ctmirror.org went from 3 reporters in 2010 to winning the Pulitzer Prize for local reporting in 2026:

pulitzer.orgDave Altimari and Ginny Monk of The Connecticut Mirror and Sophie Chou and Haru Coryne of ProPublicaFor an impressive series exposing how the state’s unique towing laws favored unscrupulous companies that overcharged residents, prompting swift and meaningful consumer protections.

4 May

INN Network members @ctmirror.org and @propublica.org have won the Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting for "an impressive series" exposing how the state’s towing laws favored unscrupulous companies that overcharged residents, prompting consumer protections. Congrats! www.pulitzer.org/winners/dave...

news.inn.orgThe infrastructure news needs now: NewsMatch meets the moment - INN NewsNewsMatch is a cornerstone of strengthening both individual newsrooms and the broader field.

30 Apr

Two recent reports have concluded that institutional philanthropy isn't equipped to support all independent journalism organizations in perpetuity. INN's NewsMatch is a proven infrastructure solution to this need. Read more: news.inn.org/the-infrastr...

linkedin.comA Conversation with Leah Wambui KeinamaLeah Keinama is the Director of Civic Journalism at the Nebraska Journalism Trust, which operates the Flatwater Free Press, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to investigative reporting in Nebraska. Keina...

28 Apr

Leah Keinama is the Director of Civic Journalism at @flatwaterfreep.bsky.social. Keinama, who doesn’t have a journalism background, spoke to INN about what it’s like leading the Documenters program — a “huge benefit” to the newsroom and community: www.linkedin.com/pulse/conver...

17 Apr

🥁 Announcing the 2026 INNYs finalists! Finalists for the sixth annual Nonprofit News Awards focused on those issues through compelling newswriting, poignant photos, thoughtful community engagement and other efforts. View the finalists and read the "heroic work": news.inn.org/2026-innys-f...

news.inn.orgINN’s Rural News Network and MuckRock launch investigative journalism partnership to support rural newsrooms covering the 2026 midterms - INN NewsThe new partnership gives RNN Newsrooms access to MuckRock's tools and the expert support of the Sunlight Research Desk.

15 Apr

INN’s Rural News Network and @muckrock.com are partnering to provide RNN newsrooms access to @sunlightresearch.bsky.social, strengthening 2026 midterm election coverage across the country. news.inn.org/rural-news-n...

news.inn.orgReligion News Service explores the intersection of immigration and faith with nonprofit newsroom collaboration - INN NewsReligion News Service is creating An Atlas of American Belonging — a news hub focused on faith and immigrant communities.

3 Apr

@rns.org was recently given $1 million to launch An Atlas of American Belonging, a multimedia news hub focused on faith and immigrant communities. Now, they're partnering with @elpasomatters.bsky.social to deepen their local coverage at the U.S.-Mexico border. news.inn.org/religion-new...

linkedin.comA Conversation with Lauren McEwenLauren McEwen was a teen writer for VOX ATL when she was in high school from 2006 to 2008. Now, she’s the program director of the Atlanta-based youth-development nonprofit news organization, which was...

26 Mar

Lauren McEwen was a teen writer for VOX ATL when she was in high school. Now, she’s the program director of the Atlanta-based youth-development nonprofit news organization. McEwen spoke to INN about how the organization has changed since she got her start there: www.linkedin.com/pulse/conver...

10 Mar

INN has joined a coalition of 41 press-freedom groups demanding that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immediately release journalist Estefany Rodriguez. Read the statement from @freepress.bsky.social: www.freepress.net/download/pre...

news.inn.orgWhat has changed, and still needs to change, in news philanthropy - INN NewsINN's Chief Development Officer shares her perspective on what has changed — and what still needs to change — in news philanthropy.

6 Mar

INN's Chief Development Officer Lisa Gardner-Springer has spent more than 20 years fundraising for news. In our latest INNsights post, she shares her perspective on what has changed — and what still needs to change — in news philanthropy. news.inn.org/what-has-cha...

news.inn.org‘Lifting up underrepresented voices’: New members at INN - INN NewsTwenty-two newsrooms — 14 full members and eight provisional — joined the INN Network in January and February.

2 Mar

INN welcomed 22 newsrooms to the INN Network in January and February, including 14 full members and eight provisional members — plus, one affiliate organization that works to support journalism. A warm welcome to the new members in the 🧵 — and read: news.inn.org/lifting-up-u...

2 Mar

@mekongindependent.bsky.social, @abridgedpbskvie.bsky.social, @thelatinonewsletter.org, @breachmedia.ca, @dailymemphian.bsky.social , @medialex-ky.bsky.social, Cook County Community Radio, Florida Student News Watch, @juneauindependent.bsky.social, @thekewaneevoice.bsky.social (cont.)

2 Mar

Mendo Local Public Media, @nclocal.bsky.social, The Hendersonian, VOX ATL, @wslrnews.bsky.social, @blackcatholicmessenger.org, @decoherence.media, Iron Range Today, Local News Pasadena, @mprnews.org, The South Berwick Reporter, Uyghur Monitor and @sciencewriting.bsky.social.

news.inn.orgINN’s Audience Studio tackles newsletter disruption, co-distribution and social media conversion in the quest for direct audience - INN NewsMembers in INN's Audience Studio recently experimented with newsletter metrics and total reach metrics and how to connect with new audiences.

20 Feb

From November to January, INN members who participated in our Audience Studio tackled newsletter disruption, co-distribution and social media conversion in the quest for direct audience. Read about how newsrooms are problem-solving for audience challenges: news.inn.org/inns-audienc...

13 Feb

“What journalists are witnessing and reporting on is shocking and depleting: American citizens gunned down by ICE agents, manipulation of information by official government sources, and a flat out mandate for people to not believe what they are seeing with their own eyes....

news.inn.orgJournalism was made for times like these - INN NewsNews isn’t a luxury — it’s an absolute necessity in times like these. We must treat it as such.

13 Feb

"But journalism was made for times like these, and the desire to meet this moment head on is exactly why anyone gets into journalism in the first place." Read INN Board Member @gillianbwhite.bsky.social INNsights on how nonprofit news can rise to meet this crisis: news.inn.org/journalism-w...

6 Feb

(1/2) The arrest of journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon last week violated the First Amendment. But this is not an isolated attack – and journalists are not the only ones affected when their rights are violated.

news.inn.orgWhy press freedom is not only about the press: A statement from the Institute for Nonprofit News - INN NewsRead INN’s statement on press freedom – and join us in speaking up when democracy is under attack.

6 Feb

(2/2) Today, INN releases its first statement on press freedom. Read it, share it and join us in speaking up whenever the public’s right to speak – and right to know – is under threat: news.inn.org/why-press-fr...

We wish it weren’t necessary to say that the federal government’s arrest of journalists for reporting on a public event violates the First Amendment’s protection for freedom of the press.

We wish that INN member Center for Broadcast Journalism were not dealing with having its co-founder Georgia Fort in federal custody. But it is, and they are, and so we will.

nabjonline.orgNABJ OUTRAGED AT ARRESTS OF DON LEMON, GEORGIA FORT ‘THE FIRST AMENDMENT IS NOT OPTIONAL’The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is outraged and deeply alarmed by the arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort by federal agents, and […]

Please see NABJ's coalition statement and raise your voice in defense of freedom of expression: nabjonline.org/blog/nabjout...

Last summer, INN's Collaborations Project Manager Paulina Velasco worked with 20 journalists across 10 member newsrooms on "Sowing Resilience," a series about food insecurity. Read Velasco's farewell and reflection on collaborations and rural journalism: news.inn.org/community-po...

lnkd.inLinkedInThis link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

19 Dec 2025

"This could be the year independent newsrooms lean into interdependence," writes our Product Manager Andrew Haeg in his NiemanLab prediction. lnkd.in/eNAzt78r