The Funders Network Event
Dates/Time
January 29, 2026
10:00 am-11:00 am
➡️ REGISTER HERE
In communities across the country, vital stories are going untold as local newsrooms shrink or disappear, leaving residents without the information they need to stay connected, informed and empowered.
Without reliable local reporting, people turn to social media or other unverified sources — making them more prone to the misinformation and algorithm-fueled echo chambers that have made our communities more distrustful and polarized than ever before.
Communities with weakened local news see lower voter turnout, fewer candidates running for office, and reduced participation in civic life.
And marginalized communities, including those living in low-wealth neighborhoods, rural areas and Tribal communities, are more likely to have their concerns ignored — and less likely to be represented in public decision-making.
Funders, regardless of their grantmaking focus, can play a critical role in rebuilding and reimagining strong local journalism ecosystems.
Join us Jan. 29 at 1 p.m. ET/ 10 a.m. PT for our funder-only webinar Vital Voices: Investing in the Power of Community-Rooted Reporting. Together, we’ll unpack how the state of local news impacts our communities in profound and interconnected ways.
And we’ll hear how and why funders are working to sustain local news that strengthens civic engagement, builds belonging, and ensures that the stories of all people — not just the powerful — shape the future of their communities.
Speakers:
Dale Anglin, Executive Director, Press Forward
Tim Murphy, Program Officer, McKnight Foundation, and TFN PLACES Alum
Keiona Williamson, Journalism Sustainability Director, James B. McClatchy Foundation
Tere Figueras Negrete, TFN Senior Communications Director (moderator)
Stay tuned for speaker updates!
Our panel of funders will be joined by newsroom partners to share stories of impact and lessons learned, as well as field questions during our Q&A portion.
