MacArthur awards $6.5 million to strengthen Chicago's local news ecosystem

This funding reflects our belief that local journalism is a cornerstone of civic life. By supporting trusted messengers, investigative voices and collaborative networks, we’re helping to build a thriving news ecosystem that meets the information needs of all Chicagoans.”

Silvia Rivera, director of local news at MacArthur

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation today announced $6.5 million in new funding to seven Chicago-based organizations that are fortifying the city’s local news ecosystem and modeling innovative approaches for community-centered journalism.

This latest round of funding underscores MacArthur’s commitment to strengthening local news through investments that promote equity, engagement, infrastructure and visibility. Together, these organizations are helping to create a more sustainable and inclusive news environment across Chicago and throughout Illinois.

“This funding reflects our belief that local journalism is a cornerstone of civic life,” said Silvia Rivera, director of local news at MacArthur. “By supporting trusted messengers, investigative voices and collaborative networks, we’re helping to build a thriving news ecosystem that meets the information needs of all Chicagoans.”

Funding will go to:

• The Field Foundation of Illinois will receive $3.5 million in general support which may include expanding its Journalism & Storytelling program to support newsrooms in suburban and rural Illinois, particularly in designated news deserts, while amplifying inclusive narratives, and complementing Press Forward Chicago’s impact.
• Block Club Chicago will receive $1.5 million in general support for one of Chicago’s most-read nonprofit news outlets that delivers nonpartisan, neighborhood-based reporting.
• Borderless Magazine will receive $350,000 in general support to expand its bilingual newsroom and produce accessible reporting on immigration, labor and justice for Chicago’s communities.

• Better Government Association (Illinois Answers Project) will receive $350,000 to support its investigative and evidence-based solutions journalism that informs policy and improves government accountability across Illinois.

• Investigative Project on Race and Equity will receive $350,000 in general support to train journalists in data-driven reporting and to build newsroom capacity.

• Injustice Watch will receive $350,000 in general support for its work examining issues of equity and justice in the court system through investigative journalism.

• Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community will receive $100,000 to sustain and further develop a Chinese-language digital news platform to meet the information needs of Chicago’s Chinese communities.

For more information on MacArthur’s Local News Program, visit www.macfound.org.