[MacArthur Foundation](https://www.macfound.org)

Rolling (By invitation only; unsolicited proposals not accepted)

Amounts vary; multi-year support possible.

Supports innovations and interventions to strengthen local news ecosystems, civic engagement, and accountability in underserved U.S. communities.

Unsolicited proposals are not accepted; researchers may submit ideas for consideration via an engagement form.

--- ## Description The Local News Program of the MacArthur Foundation aims to catalyze proven innovations and interventions that position local news as a driver of community cohesion, civic participation, and government accountability. The program leverages grantmaking, impact investments, convenings, research sharing, communications, and policy engagement to strengthen local news ecosystems across the United States. The program focuses on supporting: - Local newsrooms and trusted messengers - Funding intermediaries - Journalism support organizations (JSOs) Priority is given to efforts serving communities with high numbers of news deserts, low civic health scores, and historically underserved populations, particularly in the American South, Borderland communities, Appalachia, rural areas, and the Chicago area. The four investment priorities are: - **Equity:** Ensuring people in historically underserved communities benefit from accurate, trusted news reflecting their lived experience. - **Engagement:** Strengthening ties between local media organizations and their communities. - **Infrastructure:** Building tools, capacity, and operational resilience in emerging local news ecosystems. - **Visibility:** Raising awareness and supporting policy for local news as a public good. By 2028, the program aims to foster at least three sustainable, innovative, and resilient local news ecosystems that can serve as models for other communities. --- ## Due Dates - Rolling: The program is not currently accepting unsolicited proposals. Interested organizations or researchers may [submit an idea or request engagement](https://form.asana.com/?k=N7Pjht07KUTcN8HNuZRkNg&d=8892527160613) for consideration at any time. --- ## Funding Amount - Award amounts and durations vary based on project scope and alignment with program priorities. - Multi-year support is possible for selected projects. - Funding is typically directed to organizations identified by program staff or through invitation. --- ## Eligibility - Eligible applicants include local newsrooms, trusted messengers, funding intermediaries, and journalism support organizations. - Projects must serve U.S. communities with high numbers of news deserts, low civic health scores, or historically underserved populations. - Geographic focus areas include the American South, Borderland communities, Appalachia, rural regions, and Chicago. - Individuals are not eligible unless applying through an eligible organization. - The program is not accepting unsolicited proposals; engagement begins with submission of an idea via the online form. --- ## Application Process - The MacArthur Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for this program. - To share a new idea or perspective, complete the [Local News Engagement Request Form](https://form.asana.com/?k=N7Pjht07KUTcN8HNuZRkNg&d=8892527160613). - Submission of the form is not a grant application or invitation to apply, but a preliminary step for engagement. - The foundation will review submissions and may reach out to discuss potential alignment. - If invited to apply, applicants will be provided with further instructions and access to the [MacArthur Grants Portal](https://macfound.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new). --- ## Additional Information - The program seeks to foster local news ecosystems with sustainable funding (both philanthropic and public), innovative content delivery, strong backbone organizations, and operational resilience. - Efforts that support talent pipelines, multilingual content, community engagement, and collaborations with universities or youth media organizations are encouraged. - The foundation maintains a strong commitment to equity and inclusion in its grantmaking. - For more on sustainable news ecosystems, see [LION Publishers’ definition of sustainability](https://www.lionpublishers.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-sustainable-news-business/#:~:text=LION%20defines%20sustainability%20as%20the,ineffective%2C%20broke%20or%20burned%20out.). --- ## External Links - [Program Guidelines & Overview](https://www.macfound.org/programs/bigbets/local-news/grant-guidelines) - [Engagement Request Form](https://form.asana.com/?k=N7Pjht07KUTcN8HNuZRkNg&d=8892527160613) - [MacArthur Foundation Home](https://www.macfound.org) - [MacArthur Grants Portal](https://macfound.fluxx.io/user_sessions/new) - [Local News Program Overview](https://www.macfound.org/programs/bigbets/local-news/) - [Civic Information Index](https://civicinfoindex.org/the-index/) - [Sustainable News Business (LION Publishers)](https://www.lionpublishers.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-sustainable-news-business/#:~:text=LION%20defines%20sustainability%20as%20the,ineffective%2C%20broke%20or%20burned%20out.) --- ## Contact Information | Contact/Department | Email | Phone | More Info/Links | |-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [4answers@macfound.org](mailto:4answers@macfound.org) | +1 312-726-8000 | [Contact Page](https://www.macfound.org/about/contact-us) | | Communications Team | [communications@macfound.org](mailto:communications@macfound.org) | 312-917-3690 | [Communications Guidelines](https://www.macfound.org/about/communication-guidelines) | | Local News Program Info | [Program Guidelines](https://www.macfound.org/programs/bigbets/local-news/grant-guidelines) | | [Engagement Form](https://form.asana.com/?k=N7Pjht07KUTcN8HNuZRkNg&d=8892527160613) | For additional program or technical questions, use the above contacts or submit an inquiry through the engagement request form. ---

Local News Program - MacArthur Foundation

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