Program

Making the case for local news: Perspectives from newsroom leaders

A free virtual series from the Lenfest News Philanthropy Network

March 20, 2025

Local newsrooms face increasing challenges in demonstrating the impact of their journalism, especially when it comes to securing philanthropic support from individual donors and organizations. By collaborating cross-functionally to develop unified messaging, we can build stronger connections between newsrooms, their audiences, and the broader community of supporters who believe in the power of local journalism. 

The Lenfest News Philanthropy Network is excited to host a three-part virtual series featuring newsroom leaders who are actively working to create unified messaging that highlights the value of the local journalism they produce to engage funders. 

Featured speakers 

• Chris Baxter, CEO/President and Founding Editor, Spotlight PA —Thursday, April 3 at 12:30 p.m. EDT
• Kimberly Griffin, Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer, Mississippi Free Press —Thursday, April 17 at 3 p.m. EDT
• Anita Li, Publisher and CEO, The Green Line — Thursday, May 1 at 3 p.m. EDT

Takeaways 

• Gain insights from newsroom leaders who are actively advocating for their organizations. 

• Learn strategies to engage potential funders, donors, and local communities. 

• Share your own experiences and challenges and hear from others facing similar situations. 

• Leave with concrete ideas for strengthening the case for your newsroom and its importance in the local landscape. 

Register here Register here

Session 1: Chris Baxter, Spotlight PA

Resources shared during the conversation

Civic Language & Framing

• PACE Funders: How Civic Language Unites, Divides, & Motivates American Voters – Insightful guide into how different communities interpret language around civic engagement.

Audience Engagement & Needs

• FT Strategies: The User Needs Model – New study breaking down how to design content and experiences based on actual user needs—super relevant for both editorial and audience growth.

Impact Tracking Tools

• Impact Tracker by Impact Architects – A flexible system for capturing qualitative and quantitative indicators of journalism’s impact.

• Chalkbeat’s MORI System – Chalkbeat’s in-house tool for tracking story outcomes and newsroom influence.

Social Listening for Newsrooms

• Infegy – A social listening platform to monitor how communities are reacting to your content—and what else is trending locally. Great for content teams and audience strategists.