Press Forward Vermont Matching Challenge
Press Forward Vermont Matching Challenge supports Vermont newsrooms with fundraising matches for general operations and campaign tools to strengthen community relationships and local support for journalism.
Funder: Vermont Community Foundation
Due Dates: November 2, 2026 (Opens) | December 1, 2026, 5 p.m. ET (Application) | April 1–30, 2027 (Campaign) | May 14, 2027 (Documentation) | May 31, 2027 (Final report)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10,000 per newsroom in matching funds ($2 for every $1 raised) for general operations
Summary: Supports Vermont newsrooms through audience fundraising matches, training, and campaign tools to strengthen community relationships and local support.
Key Information: For-profit newsrooms must be locally owned and operated and have a nonprofit fiscal sponsor.
Description
The Press Forward Vermont Matching Challenge is a national pilot coordinated by Press Forward in connection with Local News Day 2027. Press Forward Vermont, a statewide initiative housed at the Vermont Community Foundation, will select up to 20 Vermont newsrooms to raise audience support during April 2027. Matching funds can support newsroom general operations.
The program welcomes newsrooms of different sizes and fundraising experience levels. Alongside the match, participants receive free fundraising training, campaign planning assistance, sample emails, social media graphics, and campaign templates. Statewide and national promotion through Press Forward and Local News Day helps connect newsrooms with supporters, and a free online fundraising platform is available where needed. The goal is to build stronger community relationships and grow local support for journalism.
