How the nation’s largest collaborative of media funders is working together to support the industry

Press Forward, a national coalition investing over $500 million to strengthen local journalism, demonstrates how funders are collaborating to transform media sustainability. In this panel from the 2025 Collaborative Journalism Summit, network manager Melissa Davis explores how Press Forward's 90+ funders and 36 chapters are moving from individual grantmaking to coordinated action. Learn about the collective impact approach from Nikisha Williams (Miami Foundation), the experimental journey of building local news ecosystems from Courtney Bengtson (Wichita Foundation), and community-centered fundraising strategies from Jenny Flynn (Community Foundation for Southern Arizona).

The discussion reveals how philanthropic collaboration creates more powerful impact than individual efforts, addresses the challenges of relationship-building between funders and newsrooms, and provides practical advice for journalists seeking foundation support. From pooled funds to aligned giving, this session offers insights into the infrastructure being built to support journalism's future and how local communities can advocate for press freedom and quality news coverage.

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🎞️ CHAPTERS:
— 00:00 | Introduction and Press Forward overview
— 03:42 | Press Forward structure and funding models
— 06:00 | Local chapters and place-based approach
— 09:15 | Understanding collective impact with Nikisha Williams
— 15:23 | Jenny Flynn on Arizona's early-stage journey
— 19:08 | Courtney Bengtson's lessons from six years in Wichita
— 22:43 | Building ideal funder-grantee relationships
— 28:17 | Why funders collaborate and audience Q&A begins
— 32:00 | Eligibility requirements and open call processes
— 36:05 | Building relationships with local foundations
— 42:09 | Legal defense funding and rapid response support

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Time: Day 1 | May 15, 2025 | 12:45 pm MT
Location: Main Stage, Delta Hotels Denver Thornton

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PANELISTS:
Moderator: Melissa Davis (Press Forward)
— Nikisha Williams (The Miami Foundation)
— Courtney Bengtson (Wichita Foundation)
— Jenny Flynn (Community Foundation for Southern Arizona)

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Learn more about collaborative journalism: https://collaborativejournalism.org/
Browse the CJS archives: https://collaborativejournalism.org/cjs/
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Learn about the Center for Cooperative Media: https://centerforcooperativemedia.org/