When fundraising for investigative reporting, showing donors how your newsroom operates — not just why it matters — can transform results. @muckrock.com's @sunlightresearch.bsky.social built a free toolkit to help local newsrooms communicate their work and drive donations.

The Museum of the American Revolution and The Lenfest Institute have partnered to host @theatlantic.com Across America tour in Philadelphia on June 11 for an evening of reflection on the enduring and evolving American idea. Tickets available now:

The Lenfest Institute thanks and congratulates the William Penn Foundation on its recent grants, which expand access to resources and opportunities that strengthen the Philadelphia region. We’re proud to be part of WPF's commitment to Democracy & Civic Initiatives through Every Voice, Every Vote.

In the newest Newspaper Executive Insights poll with Blue Engine Collaborative, nearly half of respondents named email or newsletters as their top areas for growth in 2026 — yet the survey revealed most publishers are only spending 1% of revenue on marketing to make it happen.

The International Journalism Festival showed "the industry's future looked more human, inventive, and sustainable than the headlines suggest." Among journalism's big ideas: AI tools to help reporters, including those from the Lenfest AI Collaborative in partnership with OpenAI and Microsoft.

Very cool to see this story about @inquirer.com's transformation and how it and @lenfestinstitute.org pioneered the philanthropy + reader revenue model to do it. Would be great to see this approach replicated elsewhere! pressgazette.co.uk/north-americ...

What happens when local news disappears from a community? Join Lenfest Communities of Practice tomorrow, May 7 at 3 p.m. EDT / 12 p.m. PDT for a candid talk with Nick Mathews, author of "Deserted: Life Without Local News in Rural America," on closures, consolidation, and disconnection.

Ten years ago, the late H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest and his family launched The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Over the past decade, we've awarded more than $117 million to 600 grantees, thanks to the support of over 6,000 donors.

What happens when local content creators meet newsroom rigor? You get "context creators." At the Philadelphia Creators Summit, news creators from across mediums shared tips for creating news content and generating revenue — including participants from the Philadelphia News Creators Network:

What happens when local content creators meet newsroom rigor? You get "context creators." At the Philadelphia Creators Summit, news creators from across mediums shared tips for creating news content and generating revenue — including participants from the Philadelphia News Creators Network:

🚨 Ten news organizations are joining The Lenfest News Creator Collaborative to develop and test new strategies for partnering with independent news creators. The projects will experiment with reaching new audiences, driving revenue, & building brand awareness.

🎧 Need something to listen to on your commute home? Our Head of National Programs Tristan Loper was featured on the latest episode of Newsroom Robots. Joined by @seattletimes.com, the podcast covers the Times's AI-powered ad sales tool, which helped drive revenue and built organizational buy-in.

One week away! 🔥 The 2026 Philadelphia Creators Summit is next Friday, April 24. Join 200+ news creators, journalists, & newsroom leaders to explore newsroom-creator partnerships. You'll learn from experts in content, tech, business, media law & more. Only a few spots remain, so register now:

CNTI studied U.S. indie info providers and found a landscape of mission-driven creators who are redefining trust, but often feel isolated and rarely earn a profit. 📉 Read and watch our report to hear from the creators. 🧵 cnti.org/reports/unde... Thanks to: @lenfestinstitute.org #Journalism #CNTI

Great news for local news: The nonprofit Venetoulis Institute, publisher of @thebaltimorebanner.com, is purchasing @post-gazette.com, saving it from a planned closure. We’re thrilled to see the ranks of nonprofit-owned newspapers grow — meaning more communities have access to quality local news.

Publishers are often sitting on far more value than they realize. After working with 100+ publishers in its Revenue Development Program, @newspack.com collected data that reveals how tweaks in the background can drive added value from newsletter growth, recurring reader revenue, and advertising:

Pennsylvania has lost 75% of its journalism jobs since 2002, and the recently announced closure of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette shows how local news capacity is disappearing. A Local News Day op-ed says revitalizing local media will require innovation, philanthropy and smart policy. 🔗 Link Below

@lenfestinstitute.org takes an inside look at how @rcfp.org's Local Legal Initiative — through the tireless work of attorney Paula Knudsen Burke — defends the First Amendment across Pennsylvania.

Local news is civic infrastructure. In an @inquirer.com op-ed for #LocalNewsDay, @jimfriedlich.bsky.social calls for PA lawmakers to enact First Amendment-friendly legislation to support local news. Philanthropy has made strides to protect local journalism, and public policy can help close the gap.

It's #LocalNewsDay! 🗞️ Strong communities start with strong local news. We're proud to support this national day of action with 1,000+ newsrooms nationwide. The goal is simple: Find your local news. Subscribe. Help others do the same. Start with the Local News Finder:

Accountability journalism can't happen without legal support. That's why @rcfp.org created the Local Legal Initiative — placing press attorneys across the country to serve local newsrooms for free. In PA, the LLI has made strides in protecting reporters and pushing for government transparency 🔎⚖️

Was happy to report on this for @lenfestinstitute.org www.lenfestinstitute.org/solutions-re...

As local news faces tough business realities, philanthropy has become an essential revenue stream. A new Wyncote Foundation report breaks down how philanthropy is powering successful digital publishers — and what it takes to build a sustainable newsroom. drive.google.com/file/d/1tKkj...

Teaching audiences about what nonprofit status means and why their support is essential is a key obstacle for new nonprofit news orgs. The Two River Times shares how it used audience research data to teach audiences about its business model and create membership campaigns that truly resonate.

What does it take to build and sustain a high-impact newsroom? The Lenfest News Philanthropy Network is hosting a sesion on April 9 with @spotlightpa.org on its growth and lessons on diversified fundraising, governance, and the economics of independent journalism.

🚨 The Lenfest Institute is hiring a part-time Communications Contractor to assist with day-to-day communications activities. In this role, you’ll help us coordinate grant announcements, manage press relationships, and support social media and newsletter production. Apply:

Positive Pittsburgh press 👏📰🎉 The assets of Pittsburgh’s renowned alt-weekly City Paper have been sold to social entrepreneur Chris Maury, who will operate a new nonprofit organization called LocalMatters. The Lenfest Institute is pleased to serve as fiscal sponsor and advisor to LocalMatters.

What does it take for a news org to thrive amid economic, consumer, and political challenges? @spotlightpa.org may have some answers. In a new case study, we look at how it has become a pillar of PA’s news ecosystem, providing coverage for more than 125 news orgs across the state free-of-charge.

🚨 Register now for a free Lenfest Audience Community workshop on mastering qualitative audience insights happening Thursday, March 28. Ariel Zirulnick will show participants how to turn audience research into clear, actionable insights that can take your audience strategy to the next level ⬇️

The Lenfest Institute was founded by the late cable magnate Gerry Lenfest in 2016. Nearly a decade later in 2025, the Institute committed $13.6 million in grants to local news orgs — serving as a reminder of how philanthropic support can power the industry, writes Brier Dudley of @seattletimes.com.

Today, we’re pleased to share The Lenfest Institute’s 2025 Impact Report, including updates on our work on the use of AI to help local news, our investments in news creators reaching new audiences, and our enduring commitment to support the digital transformation of America’s local newspapers.

When treated as living infrastructure rather than a one-time deliverable, news ecosystem research can guide your strategy for years to come. The Knight Communities Network created a guide to conducting more actionable research as part of its “Building a Thriving News Ecosystem” series:

We're so excited to welcome 10 news creators to the Project C Creator Cohort at #ONA26 in partnership with Project C and @journalists.org! This year's cohort includes hyperlocal creators whose focus centers on building community relationships & doing the kind of reporting that often goes uncovered.

If an AI assistant could build one solution for anything in your news business, what would it be? More than a third of newspaper execs we surveyed with Blue Engine Collaborative described an AI solution focused on sales, whether it's for ad targeting, automated proposals, CRM tools, or beyond.

Can AI save local news? @wsj.com reported how @inquirer.com is expanding its coverage with the help of AI by scanning community meetings in suburban areas for topics that may prompt follow-up from a journalist, such as zoning for an ICE detention facility or a proposal for a new data center.

Calling all Pennsylvania newsrooms: There's still time to submit a proposal to the Big Idea Competition! If you've got big, testable ideas that address revenue generation, policies to support journalism, ecosystem mapping, or community engagement, the Keystone News Summit wants to hear from you ⬇️

Finding the right story to tell about your org takes time, but it’s worth the effort. The Lenfest Institute’s Knight Communities Network has been working to help publishers make the case for local news — and we’re sharing what we learned + templates to help you strengthen your own messaging ⬇️

1/ Today, we’re announcing a $150K grant to @sfstandard.com to develop an AI-powered news app that reimagines how audiences interact with local information, moving beyond static articles and allowing readers to engage with local reporting in real time. www.lenfestinstitute.org/institute-ne...

If you’re at #KMF26, join us in the Brickell Ballroom at 1 p.m. tomorrow to learn about the Lenfest AI Collaborative & Fellowship Program in partnership with OpenAI and Microsoft. The showcase covers innovative AI use at 6 newsrooms, including @seattletimes.com, Chicago Public Media, & @inquirer.com

If you’re at #KMF26, join us in the Brickell Ballroom at 1 p.m. tomorrow to learn about the Lenfest AI Collaborative & Fellowship Program in partnership with OpenAI and Microsoft. The showcase covers innovative AI use at 6 newsrooms, including @seattletimes.com, Chicago Public Media, & @inquirer.com

We’re pleased to announce the participants for the 2026 Philadelphia Media Founders Exchange News Creators Network, which builds partnerships between independent news creators and local news organizations. Please join us in welcoming the fellows 🎉

After year-end giving wraps up, many fundraisers wonder: How can we set the stage for deeper engagement over time? That's why the Lenfest News Philanthropy Network is hosting a free a workshop on practical ways to steward first-time and one-time donors. Register now and join us Feb. 12:

Threats to Constitutional protections + powerful business and technological changes represent both opportunity and existential risk to local news. It remains to be seen whether we will be able to meet the moment. But at the Local News Summit, attendees were in agreement: Our work must evolve.

Recent events in Minneapolis underscore the need for independent local journalism, writes @dicktofel.bsky.social. At the Lenfest-Aspen Local News Summit, leaders tackled urgent questions on AI, next gen audiences, and First Amendment threats as our industry — and country — faces a turning point.

We're announcing a $25,000 matching grant in support of @startribune.com’s Local News Fund.   The world is watching Minneapolis, and local journalists are working tirelessly to keep their neighbors informed and hold power to account. Please join us in supporting their work.

And we’re off! Excited to kick off our annual Local News Summit in San Antonio with @lenfestinstitute.org. Leaders across media, philanthropy & tech will collaborate on solutions to sustain independent, high-quality local journalism. Last year’s reflections 👇 www.aspendigital.org/blog/urgent-...

As the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s closure looms, @inquirer.com’s business strategy serves as a model to replicate, writes Publisher Elizabeth Hughes: “[H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest’s] donation allowed The Inquirer to modernize & transform from a legacy print shop to a modern multiplatform news organization.”

🎉 The Beyond Print program is awarding $400K in grants to support business transformation at 11 independent local newspapers nationwide. Funding supports experiments to reduce print reliance, grow digital revenue & reach younger audiences.

Successful fundraising efforts rely on identifying your biggest opportunities & prioritizing them accordingly. The Lenfest News Philanthropy Network is hosting a workshop on Jan. 29 with Rebecca Forman, chief development officer at Report Local. Join us for practical donor screening strategies ⬇️