Latest research
INN Index 2022
Two-thirds of nonprofit news organizations grew total annual revenue from 2018 though 2021, and the median growth was 25%.
As the nonprofit news field rapidly changes and grows, INN tracks and studies what’s happening behind-the-scenes. Through exploring Index data, you can learn what drives nonprofit news, how it’s funded, who it serves, and how we can continue expanding sources of high-quality information for the public.
Two-thirds of nonprofit news organizations grew total annual revenue from 2018 though 2021, and the median growth was 25%.
INN’s 2022 Index Report finds that nonprofit news is driving sustained, multi-year revenue and audience growth, and the number of outlets providing local coverage has rapidly increased over the past four years.
Growth of the nonprofit sector is widespread, but different types of outlets experience growth in distinct ways. Fueled by philanthropic sources, larger, national and global outlets are driving up total revenue and audience sizes as they develop into more robust news operations. Meanwhile, a new wave of local news outlets, serving smaller populations and operating in smaller markets, is driving growth in the number of nonprofit news outlets.
of INN outlets took the latest Index survey
of INN outlets grew total revenue from 2018 to 2021
of INN outlets launched since 2017 cover local issues
The Index acts as a compass for the field. But don’t take it from us — here are a few examples of how the Index data is used across different sectors.
“Understanding life in the long tail is really important as news ecosystems redefine themselves in the digital age. The Index was an important springboard for us to evaluate the UK landscape for independent news, to further understand the complex parameters of sustainable journalism. The opportunities for comparative international research are rare.”
— Clare Cook, Public Interest News Foundation
“We are trying to rebuild America’s access to the local news and information that communities and our democracy rely on, and the INN Index is a vital tool to understand this emerging sector. The Index helps us listen to the nonprofit news field and ensure our strategies and grantmaking are making a positive impact.”
— Josh Stearns, Democracy Fund
“At INN, we are only as strong as our network of member organizations. As the nonprofit new field continues to grow and strengthen, we’d hope to see some problems be solved while new challenges emerge. The Index helps to signal these shifts and evolve INN programs like NewsMatch to better serve what newsrooms need today.”
— Courtney Hurtt, NewsMatch
“As a nonprofit newsroom, we have long tracked how our work resonates with readers. The Index Report provides us with a critical tool to compare our organization to similarly situated news outlets. This kind of evaluation allows us to have meaningful conversations and set realistic goals as we continue to grow our newsroom.”
— Nichole Dobo, The Hechinger Report
Want Index data for your research project, journalism course, or assessment? Please complete this data request form, and a member of our team will be in touch.
Have other questions about the Index or nonprofit news data? Reach out to Emily Roseman, INN’s research director at emily.r@inn.org.
For media related inquiries about the INN Index, please contact news@inn.org.
INN provides actionable research on nonprofit journalism for our members, partners and the wider field. Our research captures the progress and setbacks across the nonprofit news field and highlights the best practices and success stories that emerge from our members.