We welcome applications from newsrooms serving Vermont communities, including: 

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organizations.
• Locally owned and operated for-profit newsrooms with a fiscal sponsor. 
• Public media organizations

To qualify, your newsroom must:

• Primarily serve audiences in Vermont.
• Produce at least two original, nonpartisan, non-advocacy, public service articles/stories relevant to your community each week.
• Have at least one full-time equivalent (FTE) journalist(s) based in the community(ies) they serve. One FTE can consist of multiple PT individuals, including staff, contractors, and community contributors – paid or unpaid.
• Follow the professional and editorial standards of the Society of Professional Journalists.
• Commit to participating in training, fundraising, and reporting activities.

Who is not eligible?

• 501(c)(4) organizations.
• Newsrooms whose primary audience is outside Vermont.
• Newsrooms owned or controlled by non-local, for-profit companies.
• Organizations that do not meet the journalism requirements above.

We’re looking for a variety of newsrooms from across Vermont, including smaller organizations and those serving communities with limited access to local news. Special consideration may be given to rural and hyper-local newsrooms with annual operating budgets below $500,000 and those serving underserved audiences.

New to fundraising? That’s okay! Previous fundraising experience is not required. 

For-profit newsrooms can apply if they have a fiscal sponsor.  

A fiscal sponsor is a nonprofit organization that can receive and manage charitable contributions on behalf of another organization or project. For example, a nonprofit partner may collect donations and receive matching funds for a for-profit newsroom. 

If you have questions about fiscal sponsorship or need a fiscal sponsor, please  contact us (hpero@vermontcf.org).  The Vermont Community Foundation has partnered with the Vermont Journalism Coalition to be a fiscal sponsor for for-profit applicants.  We can connect you to get started.  

Applications open November 2, 2026, and close December 1, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET. Applications are submitted through the Vermont Community Foundation grant portal. 

You can view a PDF sample of the application here. To view and begin working on the application, login to the Online Grants Manager (OGM).

Visit the Resources for Grantseekers section on our For Nonprofits page to learn how and to register for a new account. Or, access your existing account.

The application includes questions about your newsroom, the communities you serve, your finances, fundraising experience, and your goals for the April campaign. Preview the application questions linked below to prepare.

You don’t need to have all the answers. Estimates and preliminary ideas are welcome, and we encourage newsrooms of all experience levels to apply. 

Press Forward Vermont will select a geographically diverse group of newsrooms based on community information needs, organizational capacity, fundraising goals, and potential impact. All applicants will be notified by January 8, 2027.

If you have questions about the Online Grants Manager, please contact Emma Johnson at ejohnson@vermontcf.org.

With questions related to the Matching Challenge program or if you need an accommodation to support successfully making a grant submission, please contact Haley Pero at hpero@vermontcf.org or 802-828-7917.

During April 1–30, 2027, participating newsrooms will receive $2 in matching funds for every $1 in eligible contributions, up to their approved matching limit. 

Which contributions count?

Eligible contributions include: 

• New donations from individuals, including people who have supported your newsroom before. 
• New memberships and subscriptions purchased by individuals. 
• Recurring contributions started during the campaign. 
• Contributions made by check, with proper documentation. 

What are the rules?

• Individual contributions only. Donations from businesses, foundations, and other organizations are welcome but do not qualify for matching funds. 
• April 1–30, 2027. Contributions must be pledged and received during the campaign period, except for qualifying recurring gifts. 
• $1,000 per donor limit. Up to $1,000 from each individual can count toward the match. Larger gifts are welcome, but only the first $1,000 qualifies. 

How do recurring contributions work?

If someone starts a monthly contribution during April, up to 12 months of those contributions can count toward the match, subject to the $1,000 per donor limit. 

For example, a new $50 monthly contribution could count as $600 toward your match. A $100 monthly contribution could count as $1,000, even though the full year would total $1,200.

Can we accept contributions outside these rules? 

Absolutely! Your newsroom can still accept support from businesses, foundations, and other sources, as well as contributions outside the campaign period. Those funds simply won’t count toward your Press Forward matching grant. 

How do we document contributions?

You’ll need to submit a report showing each eligible donor’s name, contribution date, and amount by May 14, 2027. Contributions by check also require copies of the checks and deposit slips. 

Matching funds can be used for general operating support. For-profit newsrooms working with fiscal sponsors may have additional requirements.

You can use your existing fundraising platform, such as a membership system, donation processor, or community foundation giving page. 

Whatever platform you use, it must be able to provide a report showing each eligible contribution, including: 

• Donor name. 
• Contribution date. 
• Contribution amount. 

Newsrooms that need a fundraising platform can use Mightycause at no cost. 

Do we have to use Mightycause? 

You do not have to use Mightycause to process your contributions. However, every selected newsroom must create a profile on the Press Forward Mightycause campaign page. 

This shared page will help supporters discover participating newsrooms across the country. 

Because Mightycause only supports nonprofit profiles, for-profit newsrooms will need a nonprofit fiscal sponsor or partner to create their profile. Press Forward can help you explore options if you don’t already have one. 

Can checks count? 

Yes. Checks received during the campaign period can qualify. You’ll need to provide copies of the checks and deposit slips as part of your fundraising documentation.

Participating newsrooms agree to: 

1. Attend virtual fundraising training during February and March 2027. 
2. Prepare and run an audience fundraising campaign from April 1–30, 2027, including participating in Local News Day promotions on April 8. 
3. Set up a fundraising page or use an existing platform that can track individual contributions, and create a profile on the Press Forward Mightycause campaign page. 
4. Submit fundraising documentation by May 14, 2027, including donor names, contribution dates, and amounts. Additional documentation is required for checks. 
5. Submit a brief final report by May 31, 2027, sharing fundraising results, lessons learned, and campaign feedback. 
6. Participate in program evaluation and provide available photos, videos, or community impact information for program reporting. 
7. Acknowledge Press Forward and Press Forward Vermont in campaign communications, using the guidance provided. 

How much time will training take? 

Training sessions will generally last 60–90 minutes. Experienced fundraisers may attend two or three sessions, while those newer to fundraising may attend up to five sessions. Training is required, but the support will be tailored to your experience. 

When will we receive matching funds? 

Matching funds will be distributed after fundraising contributions have been reviewed and verified, no later than June 30, 2027. 

What is Local News Day? 

Local News Day is a national day of action that encourages communities to connect with and support local news. More than 1,300 newsrooms participated in April 2026, leveraging the awareness generated to launch new products, hold events, and ask readers directly for support. The next Local News Day is April 8, 2027, during the Matching Challenge fundraising period. 

We’ve never fundraised before. Can we apply? 

Absolutely! This program welcomes first-time fundraisers. Training and tools will help you prepare. 

What if we don’t raise $5,000? 

That’s okay. You’ll earn matching funds based on what you raise, up to your approved limit. For example, raising $2,000 could earn another $4,000, giving your newsroom $6,000 total. 

How much can our newsroom receive? 

Up to $10,000. Your newsroom earns matching funds for every $1 in eligible contributions raised during April 1–30, 2027, up to your match cap. 

Can we apply if we’ve participated in NewsMatch or received Press Forward funding before? 

Yes. Previous participation in a matching campaign or receipt of Press Forward funding does not disqualify you. 

How will applications be reviewed? 

Press Forward Vermont will consider the communities served, local information needs, geographic representation, newsroom capacity, fundraising goals, and potential benefit to the newsroom. We’re seeking a diverse group of participating newsrooms from across Vermont. 

Who will see our application and fundraising information? 

Press Forward Vermont will share necessary application and campaign information with Press Forward, The Miami Foundation (home of the national Press Forward initiative), and authorized program partners for program administration, contribution verification, evaluation, and reporting. 

Your publication name and basic newsroom information may be shared publicly as part of the program. Individual newsroom financial information will be kept confidential within the authorized program team, and public financial reporting will use aggregated results. 

How will newsrooms be selected? 

This matching challenge is open to a broad range of newsrooms.  We are looking for regional representation of participants across a diverse mix of platforms. We are especially pleased to bring this opportunity to applicants who are new to audience campaigns and drives.  While this is a pilot, we hope to offer this matching challenge again as funds allow.