May 2025
We sit at a critical juncture for facts, for accurate, up-to-date information and news as a public good. In 2025, we have seen efforts to undermine press freedom, the increased scrutiny of 501(c)(3) organizations, and federal funding cuts for INN’s public media members. The Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) has always delivered business support and education to our member newsrooms. And, at this moment, INN is focused on connecting member newsrooms to essential legal resources. INN has launched a press freedom and safety hub and collaborated with partners to offer webinars and one-on-one consultations to keep our members informed and protected. After all, INN champions the nonprofit news difference and the sector’s independence.
We, at INN, continue to do the practical work of strengthening the field. But we don’t just want more nonprofit newsrooms, we want more resilient ones. We want nonprofit newsrooms with staying power; our aim is to help INN members increase their reach and their revenue.
With the news industry facing big changes and funding uncertainty, we’re helping members diversify revenue and build stronger relationships with individual donors. INN’s NewsMatch, now in its tenth year, continues to be a major driver of this work. We’ve rolled out new programs to help newsrooms move from end-of-year fundraising to year-round campaigns. We’ve built partnerships that deliver real results—like emergency grants for disaster reporting, tools for accurate election coverage, and hands-on fundraising guidance. In 2024 alone, INN invested over $14 million directly into newsrooms through NewsMatch, the Rural News Network, travel stipends, and audience programs.
All this work strengthens our network and helps our members deliver meaningful news to their communities. I’m inspired everyday by the innovation and collaboration I see across INN and its network. Together, we’re proving just how vital in-depth reporting, community coverage, and public service journalism are to a healthy society.
