Press Forward

Local and trusted news—a public good now and for generations to come.

Press Forward is a national effort to strengthen local news, and the Vermont Community Foundation is proud to lead this work in Vermont.

Read the Local News & Information Ecosystem Report

Why is Press Forward’s work important?

Local news is about more than just headlines. When it’s strong, Vermonters are more likely to vote, to know what to do when a storm hits, and to see themselves reflected in the stories that shape where we live.

Community news outlets, TV and radio stations, and statewide news organizations help people stay informed about what is happening in their towns and across the state. We need reliable, local news from trusted sources to engage in solving the challenges in our communities together—something that is essential to a healthy civic life.

When access to local news declines and people turn to national outlets, communities face greater risks of polarization and disinformation. At the same time, local newsrooms face serious challenges as traditional for-profit funding models shift. With targeted and sustained investment, we can ensure the future of our local press.

Overview

What We’ll Do

Approach

Impact

By 2029

Press Forward: Local News for Local Good

Over the past two decades, the way news is produced and consumed has changed dramatically. Traditional business models no longer work, audiences expect digital-first formats, and local newsrooms are rapidly adapting to survive. While how Vermonters access news has shifted, the need for trusted, timely local information remains as vital as ever.

Trusted local news remains essential for understanding town governance, public policy impacts, and community life.

The number of news outlets and journalists working in Vermont has declined steeply over the past 20 years.

Traditional advertising models no longer sustain most newsrooms, and fewer people are willing to pay directly for news.

Newsrooms are rapidly adapting to new formats, platforms, and business models to maintain staff and coverage.

Vermonters increasingly seek short-form video, digital reporting, and news through familiar social media channels.

How Press Forward Vermont Strengthens Local News

Press Forward Vermont is investing in the sustainability, innovation, and reach of local journalism. Guided by local news ecosystem research and working closely with local news partners, community stakeholders and dedicated funders, this initiative will strengthen the long term sustainability of the sector and ensure that local news provides the coverage Vermonters need to stay informed, engaged and connected.

Invest in the long-term sustainability of local news organizations.

Develop a shared vision for the future of local news and the path to take us forward.

Support innovation, collaboration, and new business models.

Expand reliable news access across geography, language, and background.

Fund reporting rooted in community life and critical local issues.

How We Build a Stronger Local News Ecosystem

Press Forward Vermont brings together partners, communities, and research to shape a sustainable future for local journalism. The initiative centers Vermonters’ voices, strengthens newsroom capacity, and directs resources where they can have the greatest impact.

Convening key partners and stakeholders in the local news ecosystem to define the challenges and chart the path for vibrant local media landscape.

Creating opportunities for Vermonters to share what they need from their local news outlets through community listening sessions, surveys, and forums.

Conducting research to understand the challenges and inform strategic investments in local news and journalism.

Bringing funders together to pool resources and make strategic grants that help newsrooms adapt their business models and continue delivering the local news and information our state relies on.

Supporting collaboration across the sector and exploring shared services through journalism supporting organizations.

Building the pipeline of future journalists and local news leaders so local newsrooms can do this work long into the future.

What Success Looks Like for Vermonters

Success means stronger access to reliable news, deeper trust, and a more connected civic life. Vermonters will have local coverage that reflects their lives and supports community participation.

Equitable access to trusted news and information for all Vermonters, regardless of income or background across every region of the state.

Local news coverage that is relevant to their lives, reflects their experiences and is solutions-oriented.

Greater confidence and participation in civic life.

Increased connection to their communities and each other, with greater cohesion and less division driven by national news narratives.

Recognition that local news as a public good deserving of public and private investment.

Anticipated Impact Across Vermont

By 2029, Press Forward Vermont will have helped strengthen the local news sector statewide. Through coordinated investment and collaboration, newsrooms will be more stable, more connected, and better positioned to serve Vermonters for the long term.

Increased philanthropic, public, and private investment in local news.

Stronger, more sustainable business models for newsrooms.

More Vermonters support and value local news.

Greater collaboration and shared services across media outlets.

Reduced newsroom closures and increased sector stability.

Vermont communities feel more connected and informed through strong local journalism.

Montpelier VT Statehouse High Res Banner

FAQs

What is Press Forward and how does it impact Vermont communities?

Press Forward is a network with over 40 chapters nationwide, working to strengthen local news so communities stay informed, connected and engaged. As a nationwide philanthropic initiative with hundreds of foundations, funders and donors pooling their investments, this effort is designed to strengthen local news ecosystems by investing in independent journalism, testing new local newsroom models, supporting regional and statewide collaboration, and expanding reporting capacity.

What does the Press Forward Vermont support beyond grantmaking?

Press Forward Vermont brings local news leaders and stakeholders together to chart a vision for the future of local news in Vermont. Starting with the Vermont Local News Ecosystem Research, Press Forward Vermont is laying the groundwork for informed strategic investments in the local media landscape.

How can I support Press Forward?

Support your local and statewide news outlets through subscriptions, memberships, and donations. While there is no comprehensive listing of local news organizations in Vermont, many local outlets are members of the Vermont Journalism Coalition.
The Press Forward Vermont initiative is powered by the contributions of leadership donations, private foundations, and the Vermont Community Foundation’s Philanthropic Leadership Fund (PLF). A donation to PLF supports work like Press Forward and other VCF initiatives helping to close the opportunity gap in Vermont.
Already have a fund with the VCF? You can make a contribution to Press Forward Vermont through the VCF Portal.

Press Forward Advisors

UVM Center for Community News
VTDigger (Vermont Journalism Trust)
Vermont Journalism Coalition
Press Forward Vermont Funders Circle

Your contribution to Press Forward Vermont matters!

Support Press Forward Vermont and help keep trusted local news strong—now and for generations. Your gift supports strategic investment in Vermont’s local news sector, focused on stabilizing and growing local newspapers, radio, TV, and digital outlets so Vermonters stay informed, connected, and ready to meet community challenges. Existing VCF fundholders can set up an automatic annual contribution through an existing fund.

Reach out to our philanthropic advising team to learn more about how you can be part of this exciting and important work. Call 802 388-3355 opt. 5, or use the link below to send us an email.

Ongoing Support for Local News

Press Forward VT is investing now in the future of local news. These examples of grants and investments show how we’re building a strong news ecosystem together.

Statewide Research Report

Comprehensive and informed by statewide listening sessions and hundreds of survey responses, detailing what Vermonters value in local news and how they want it strengthened.

Read a Summary

Strengthening Newsrooms Together

Bringing local news organizations together to collaborate on long-term sustainability through seed funding for the Vermont Journalism Coalition.

Vermont Journalism Coalition

crowd outside at a concert at spruce peak in stowe vt

Sharing News Statewide

Support for Vermont Digger’s Community News Sharing Project, expanding access to statewide reporting through local newspapers across Vermont.

Learn About the Project

Celebrating Civic Journalism

Expanding Local Civic Journalism Awards further recognizes trusted, ethical reporting that strengthens civic engagement and advances a sustainable future for local news.

Read About the Inaugural Awards

Convening Philanthropic Partners

Convening funders to inspire high-impact giving that helps transform and sustain Vermont’s local news ecosystem for generations.

National Press Forward Efforts

Federal Reporting for Vermont

Greater insight into federal decisions that shape daily life, through Vermont Digger’s partnership with NOTUS, a Washington-based newsroom.

Read About the Partnership

Vermont News & Information Ecosystem Executive Summary

Read the full report here.

Thank you for considering a donation and for making our work possible!

No gifts to the Vermont Community Foundation shall directly or indirectly subject the Vermont Community Foundation to a prohibited material restriction as defined by federal law. All gifts are subject to a federally required amendment or variance power that permits the Vermont Community Foundation to vary from the terms and conditions of agreements with donors relative to the purpose, investment, and management of its funds subject to the procedural requirements of Vermont state law. In practice, the Foundation uses this variance power rarely and only if the needs of the community have shifted. The Foundation will be in communication with donors should such a shift occur.