Press Forward

What Press Forward does

Press Forward is a nonprofit national funder coalition founded in 2023 and operating as a distributed remote organization, with operational leadership based in Cleveland, Ohio. The organization mobilizes philanthropic capital to strengthen local news in the United States by coordinating a coalition of 130+ foundations and donors (including Knight Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Gates Family Foundation, Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, and Democracy Fund) and organizing them through 46 local chapters (Press Forward Locals) across 31+ states. In two years since launch, the network has invested $400M+ in local news, funding 769 individual newsrooms and 11+ journalism support organizations, with nearly two-thirds of grants going directly to individual newsrooms. Press Forward serves four primary constituent groups: local newsrooms (nonprofit, independent, and community media), journalism support organizations that re-grant and provide technical assistance, philanthropic funders seeking to coordinate strategy, and public media stations facing federal funding cuts.

Press Forward operates a portfolio of programs and tools rather than a unified technology product. Core initiatives include the Public Media Bridge Fund ($36.5M+ committed), the Open Call on Infrastructure (multi-million dollar grants to organizations including Start.coop, IWMF, and community radio networks), the Local News 2036 Scenarios Project, the Reigniting Local News program (in partnership with Maynard Institute), Local News Day (a nationwide day of action reaching 1,000+ newsrooms), and the Media Resilience Fund (a flexible lending vehicle with URL Media and NCRC). Technology infrastructure includes a members-only Resource Hub, the Journalism Support Exchange (JSX) platform for finding support services, and the Local News Finder tool. The organization's go-to-market model is community-led and event-driven, mobilizing funding through the coalition network, convening members via annual summits (200+ attendees) and local chapter events, and executing field-wide days of action. Press Forward generates no traditional revenue; its operations are funded by contributions from coalition members and its value is measured in capital deployed rather than organizational revenue.

Name

Press Forward

Legal name

Press Forward

Website

https://pressforward.news

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Press Forward is a national nonprofit funder coalition that mobilizes philanthropic capital to strengthen local news in the United States, coordinating 130+ funders and 46 local chapters to deploy $400M+ into newsrooms and journalism support organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

News Philanthropy Coalition

NAICS

Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Nonprofit & Cause Communications (BPAFADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Investigative & Nonprofit News Organizations (MPAJADAF), Public Media Fundraising & Membership (Pledge Drives, Major Gifts) (MPABADAJ), Thought Leadership & Executive Visibility (BPAFADAG)

Keywords

• Local news funding
• Journalism philanthropy
• News coalition network
• Nonprofit newsrooms
• Community journalism support

Headquarters

HQ city

Remote

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Foundation and Donor Grants: Press Forward mobilizes funding from a coalition of 130+ funders including foundations (Knight Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Gates Family Foundation, Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, Rose Community Foundation, Colorado Health Foundation, Democracy Fund, and others) to invest in local news. The network has invested $400M+ in two years through catalytic grantmaking, grants to journalism support organizations, and direct newsroom funding.
2. Coalition Membership and Co-Funding: Press Forward's network brings together place-based and national funders who contribute to a pooled fund and co-fund initiatives. More than 70% of funders are place-based. Approximately 40% of funders are new to local news philanthropy, having supported the space for five years or less.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Press Forward is a national nonprofit funder coalition that mobilizes philanthropic capital to strengthen local news in the United States. It operates a network of 130+ funders and 46 local chapters that provide catalytic grantmaking, technical assistance, and coalition-building support to local newsrooms and journalism support organizations. The coalition has invested more than $400 million in local news over two years toward a five-year goal of $500 million.

Product overview

Press Forward is a national funder coalition and network organization working to strengthen local news. Rather than a unified technology product, the organization operates as a portfolio of initiatives, programs, and resources including: a members-only Resource Hub for network participants; Local News Day (a nationwide day of action); the Local News 2036 Scenarios Project (a strategic planning toolkit); the Reigniting Local News Program (a cohort-based training initiative); the Journalism Support Exchange (JSX) for finding support services; the Media Resilience Fund (a catalytic capital lending vehicle); and 41 local chapters across the country that provide place-based grantmaking and support. The organization has invested over $400 million in local news through its funder network since launching.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Press Forward Locals Local chapter network bringing together funders and partners to provide place-based grants, advocacy, and community support for newsrooms in specific geographic regions.
• Reigniting Local News Program A six-month intensive capacity-building program for small local publishers, combining in-person workshops, virtual sessions, and peer learning on revenue generation and sustainability. Targets outlets with annual budgets under $300,000.
• Local News Day A nationwide day of action held annually on April 9 that reconnects Americans with trusted local news outlets, modeled after Giving Tuesday. Reached 1,000+ participating newsrooms in 2026.
• Local News 2036 Scenarios Project A strategic scenario planning toolkit and facilitation guide developed with over 90 local news field leaders, presenting three possible future scenarios for local journalism by 2036.
• Local News Finder A public-facing tool that helps people locate reliable local reporting and reconnect with trusted local news sources in their communities.
• Journalism Support Exchange (JSX) A platform that helps news and information leaders find business services, technical help, training resources, and grants for their newsrooms.
• Media Resilience Fund A 'virtual bank' for community media offering flexible loans and tailored financial guidance to help independent outlets stabilize operations and launch or expand revenue initiatives.
• Press Forward Resource Hub A members-only online hub providing tools, resources, and support for members of Press Forward's network of funders and partners.
• Catalytic Capital Resources Resources and guidance including a white paper and webinar for funders and field leaders to consider catalytic capital approaches for local news sustainability.

Quantifiable outcome

• $400M+ mobilized for local news in two years (2024-2025)
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Montana Free PresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed the Local News Day initiative in partnership with Press Forward, Automattic, Newspack, and WordPress.com. Founded by John S. Adams, Montana Free Press serves as a key organizing partner for the nationwide day of action on April 9, 2026.
• AutomatticmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company partner in the Local News Day initiative, recruiting newsrooms and partners nationwide through LocalNewsDay.org alongside Press Forward, Newspack, and WordPress.com.
• NewspackmajorTechnology or IntegrationOpen-source publishing platform for newsrooms, partnered with Press Forward on Local News Day to support newsroom recruitment and participation in the nationwide initiative.
• WordPress.commajorTechnology or IntegrationWeb platform partner in the Local News Day initiative, helping to recruit newsrooms and partners nationwide through LocalNewsDay.org.
• American Journalism ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenture philanthropy for nonprofit newsrooms and key intermediary in Press Forward's network. Has invested in dozens of nonprofit newsrooms; first 28 funded newsrooms grew median annual revenue by 118%. Received significant Press Forward network funding and is a central multiplier in the local news ecosystem.
• Report for AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey journalism support organization providing reporters, training, and funding to hundreds of newsrooms. Received $20M Knight Foundation grant in 2024 aligned with Press Forward. Has placed 750+ reporters in 450 newsrooms and helped newsrooms raise $60M in donations.
• Maynard InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJournalism support organization partnered with Press Forward on the 'Reigniting Local News' program, a six-month initiative providing intensive workshops and peer learning for small newsrooms in the Midwest.
• Borealis Philanthropy Racial Equity in Journalism FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntermediary attracting dollars for re-granting to BIPOC-led newsrooms serving communities of color. All supported newsrooms since 2020 remain in operation. Brought funders into the journalism field through rapid-response funds.
• Local Media Association (LMA) / Local Media FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuns accelerators, labs, and programs (Lab for Journalism Funding, Knight x LMA BloomLab, Branded Content Project) to support newsroom revenues. Claims $2 worth of value delivered for every dollar received in funding.
• Online News AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined the Rebuild Local News Coalition alongside Press Forward, a nonprofit supporting policies that strengthen local news.
• Rebuild Local News CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit coalition supporting policies that strengthen local news. Press Forward and Online News Association joined the coalition to advance policy advocacy for local journalism sustainability.
• Lenfest Institute for JournalismmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-convened the Lenfest News Philanthropy Summit with Press Forward, bringing together 350+ news fundraisers. Provides coaching to newsrooms like Te Lo Cuento News.
• ChalkbeatmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit education news organization partnering with Press Forward Chicago on a multi-year education journalism initiative ($500K/year for 3 years) ahead of Chicago's first citywide school board election.
• Invest AppalachiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched the Rural News Fund in partnership with Press Forward Central Appalachia, Media Growth Partners, and MacArthur Foundation to provide flexible working capital and expertise for restoring local news in news deserts.
• Public Media Company / Public Media Bridge FundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManaging the Public Media Bridge Fund with $36.5M+ committed from Press Forward and other funders to protect public media in vulnerable communities during federal funding cuts.
• URL MediamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational infrastructure leader in community media partnering with NCRC and Rebuild Local News on the Media Resilience Fund, a 'virtual bank' for community media providing flexible loans and financial guidance.
• National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Media Resilience Fund alongside URL Media, bringing mission-driven lending expertise and commitment to advancing equity and community health.
• Glen Nelson Center / American Public Media GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished the Horizon Fund for early-stage ventures in public media innovation, investing in technology to help journalism organizations reach diverse audiences and build institutional resilience.
• International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee of Press Forward's Open Call on Infrastructure expanding the Newsroom Safety Across America program to serve 3,000+ journalists and establish a culture of safety in newsrooms nationwide.
• Global Center for Journalism and TraumamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee of Press Forward's Open Call on Infrastructure to train 45 mental health clinicians to help journalists cope with stress, trauma, and burnout, and deliver 75 trainings over three years.
• Vita Activa / Media Resilience Network (MDRNet)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee of Press Forward's Open Call on Infrastructure providing 750 hours of counseling, 12 virtual training sessions, 10 community learning circles, and crisis interventions to journalists, especially those from underrepresented communities.
• Start.coopmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReceived $1.5M from Press Forward's Open Call for Infrastructure to create a shared services cooperative hub supporting worker-led and worker-friendly newsroom models.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• American Journalism Project: Venture philanthropy fund for nonprofit local newsrooms; one of Press Forward's core intermediaries. Directly comparable as a journalism-specific funder that invests in and builds capacity of nonprofit news organizations.
• Lenfest Institute for Journalism: Philanthropy-backed institute that invests in and supports local journalism, particularly through the Philadelphia Inquirer and a national news philanthropic network. Closely comparable mission and funder-coalition style.
• Report for America / GroundTruth Project: Places reporters in local newsrooms and provides salary subsidies; funded through Press Forward-aligned sources. Directly comparable as a journalism-support intermediary funded by philanthropic capital.
• Local Media Association: Runs accelerators, labs, and revenue programs for local newsrooms, claiming $2 of value per $1 received. Directly comparable as a Press Forward-funded intermediary supporting local news sustainability.
• Maynard Institute: Journalism support and training organization partnered with Press Forward on the Reigniting Local News program. Comparable as a capacity-building intermediary for under-resourced and BIPOC newsrooms.
• Borealis Philanthropy: Funds racial equity in journalism through its Racial Equity in Journalism Fund. Directly comparable as a journalism-focused funder intermediary in the same coalition as Press Forward.
• Rebuild Local News Coalition: Advocacy coalition pushing policy that strengthens local news; Press Forward and the Online News Association joined as partners. Comparable as a coalition model aimed at the same structural problem.

Broad incumbents

• John S. and James L. Knight Foundation: Press Forward's largest anchor funder and a long-standing national journalism philanthropy. Comparable as a major established funder in the local news space, though operates as a single foundation rather than a coalition.
• Democracy Fund: Public foundation supporting journalism and democratic institutions; Press Forward co-funder on the Local News 2036 project. Comparable as a broader-incumbent funder with overlapping mission.

Emerging players

• Solutions Journalism Network: Nonprofit that trains and supports journalists in rigorous solutions reporting; works with local newsrooms but focuses on editorial practice rather than funding. Comparable in mission overlap but distinct in mechanism.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/press-forward-news

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments23 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Press Forward