WHY IT MATTERS · WHAT WE DO
Building Connections for Local Journalism
The survival of local news is critical to the future of American democracy. JFP bridges the gap between funders and newsrooms, enabling the philanthropy that keeps local journalism alive.
The survival of local news is critical to the future of American democracy and in promoting a more equitable society.
Local reporters are front-line government watchdogs, informing residents about the workings of city hall, school districts and other agencies that impact communities on a daily basis. Where local news isn’t available over a sustained period, the quality of life diminishes, and elected officials tend to be less vigilant in using public funds.
The beneficiaries often are the powerful and the well-connected. Researchers also say that local government not only becomes more costly in these communities, it’s less efficient in “news deserts.” Residents are left wondering why their services go down even while they are paying more.
WHAT WE DO
WHAT WE DO
Three ways JFP Supports Local Journmalism
JFP currently engages in three core programs, serving as a bridge and a leader in the growing realm of philanthropy-supported journalism:
1.
Enabling gifts to local journalism
JFP serves as a fiscal sponsor — a bridge between funders and journalism organizations — so that major philanthropic gifts can reach the newsrooms that need them most.
2.
Fundraising guidance for journalism professionals
JFP offers case-by-case guidance on fundraising campaigns and works with prominent publishers to provide newsroom-wide training for hundreds of journalism professionals.
Enabling gifts to local journalism
JFP places an emphasis on supporting efforts to bring the diversity of local journalists to parity with the demographics of the communities they serve, prioritizing coverage of equity, economic mobility, education, health, housing, gun violence and the environment.
The Situation
Foundations and donors across the country increasingly embrace the impact philanthropy can have on local journalism — but face a challenge: many have policies requiring all grants be made to a 501(c)(3), and many individual donors are only willing to donate to a nonprofit for tax-deductibility reasons.
3.
Enabling broad community giving to local journalism
JFP partners with local journalism organizations to support robust community giving campaigns, processing all gift types and providing expertise in direct-appeal fundraising.
The Solution
JFP serves as a fiscal sponsor — a bridge between the funder and the journalism organization — allowing individual or institutional donors to make the contribution through JFP. JFP takes its fiduciary responsibilities seriously, ensuring donated funds are used for targeted community-benefit-focused activities.
Fundraising Guidance and for Journalism Professionals
WHAT WE DO
In 2021, JFP collaborated with a prominent educational institution to develop open courseware and workshops for journalism professionals on effectively working with funders in their local communities.
The Situation
Journalism professionals are trained in journalism, not in fundraising. Most have limited, if any, experience soliciting major gifts from institutional or individual donors.
The Solution
As part of its major-gift and fiscal sponsorship work, JFP offers guidance to journalism organizations on a case-by-case basis, and is working with prominent publishers and umbrella organizations on programs that will offer newsroom-wide training.
Enabling Broad Community Giving to Local Journalism
WHAT WE DO
JFP partners with local journalism organizations to support robust community giving campaigns, serving as the fiscal sponsor and facilitating tax benefits, while providing expertise in running successful direct-appeal campaigns.
The Situation
Individuals in communities believe deeply in the importance of local journalism and want to make charitable contributions, but many journalism organizations lack 501(c)(3) status and the expertise to successfully execute and manage direct-appeal campaigns.
The Solution
JFP partners with local journalism organizations to support community giving campaigns. In addition to serving as fiscal sponsor, JFP provides expertise in planning successful direct-appeal campaigns, managing gift acknowledgment, reporting, and state-by-state licensure to solicit contributions.
At the Center of it All
JFP’S ROLE
With the traditional business model being unsustainable, the future of local news depends on new and innovative revenue sources. JFP is committed to building a network of funding sources to help local newsrooms do their work with the most resources possible.
We know that philanthropic support alone will not sustain struggling newsrooms, but it can help in significant ways. In many communities, it's already part of the solution — in Fresno, CA, 10 fulltime reporters have been added to The Bee's newsroom just through philanthropy.
The JFP Board of Directors includes individuals who have committed their careers to quality journalism and to improving the communities they live in. We hope you join in our work to support local journalism.
