Nine Grantmakers Make the Case for Why Investing in Local Journalism Matters

Open Signal, a media arts center in Portland, Oregon, embraces the power of community-driven media. From filmmaking workshops to artist residencies, Open Signal grew out of local cable access television and combines equipment and training "with a commitment to uplifting marginalized and less heard voices."

A new report commissioned by the Wyncote Foundation, "Investing in Local Journalism and Storytelling: Examples from Place-Based Foundations," profiles nine grantmakers — including community foundations and independent and family foundations rooted in place — detailing their media funding approaches, their grantees’ work, and how together they foster community engagement and creative storytelling.

Open Signal is among those media projects that inject vitality to local arts and culture dynamics and are supported by these foundations which vary in size, type, and geography, yet have in common a belief in media that can transform and empower citizens with quality content and outreach.

“Media is critical to a well-rounded place-based arts and culture portfolio,” states Martha Richards, executive director of the James F. & Marion L. Miller Foundation, Open Signal's funder.

Written by consultants Sarah Lutman, Jessica Fiala, and Anika Fajardo from Lutman & Associates, the report showcases innovative approaches to grantmaking and exemplifies funders in the field who understand the role of local media, journalism, and storytelling as key elements of an open and creative society.

"Over the past seven years, Wyncote Foundation has supported catalytic media projects both in our home in Philadelphia and nationally in instances in which we believe our support can result in field-wide learning,” states David Haas, vice chair of the board of the Wyncote Foundation. “Through our conversations with journalists, media makers, policymakers, and staff leadership at media organizations, we see the impact of public interest media across our own community and in society at large."

Read the full report here.

Image: Open Signal, one of the media initiatives profiled in the Wyncote Foundation's report.