Lenfest Institute Beyond Print program launches 11 business transformation experiments at newspapers across the U.S.

Experiments will focus on integrating vertical video, using AI at scale, using text messaging to reach younger readers, and expanding revenue with new digital advertising formats

January 22, 2026

Eleven local newspapers from across the United States will receive grant funding through The Lenfest Institute’s Beyond Print program, the Institute announced today. The funding, which totals $400,000, supports independent local newspapers in reducing reliance on print, growing digital revenue, embracing new distribution platforms, and reaching new and younger audiences.  

Spanning the country from Sitka, Alaska to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the 11 newspapers were selected from a pool of more than 160 applicants and cover a broad spectrum of the U.S. media landscape, including both rural and metro communities, multicultural media, and both nonprofit and for-profit businesses.  

A full list of publications and their experiments follow below.  

Launched in 2022, The Lenfest Institute’s Beyond Print program has served hundreds of independent local newspapers through grants, convening, and the Beyond Print Toolkit, which provides comprehensive on-demand guidance on transitioning from print to digital.  

The results of the 11 experiments will be used to inform the Toolkit, which will be expanded to include guidance on the use of next-generation distribution platforms and news creator partnerships. 

In addition to grant funding, the Institute will provide a broad array of advisory services including a new Beyond Print Community of Practice, created in partnership with Blue Engine Collaborative. The community’s programming will be open to all independent newspapers and will be based on their needs. The Institute will also host in-person convenings at the America’s Newspapers Mega Conference and Senior Leadership Conference to report on the progress and results in newspaper business transformation.  

“Most local journalists in America are still employed by newspapers – including many that are transforming into impressive digital news organizations.  These often family-owned businesses are vital community pillars and local job providers—yet they face an urgent need for business transformation,” said Tristan Loper, The Lenfest Institute’s Head of National Programs. “This grant program supports business model experimentation aimed at developing new audiences, digital products that match audience needs, and profitable business models.” 

The Lenfest Beyond Print program is supported by the The Andrew & Julie Klingenstein Family Fund. 

Learn more about this year’s experiments:  

• Daily Sitka Sentinel (Sitka, AK) will launch an app that includes news, advertising, and a “shop local” cash-back rewards program called PressPass. By driving adoption among Sitka businesses, residents, and visitors, the publisher seeks to grow its ad revenue and offset subscription cost concerns through its rewards program.  

• La Noticia (Charlotte, NC), a Spanish-language publication, will create a six-video portfolio of multi-platform editorial explainers to test a premium sponsorship model to expand its revenue opportunities.  

• La Raza Chicago (Chicago, IL) will collaborate with a local radio station to develop Spanish-language radio segments and a recurring podcast. Audio will be distributed across radio, podcasts, web, newsletters, and social media, with bundled advertising and sponsorship packages.  

• Response Media LLC (Boulder, MT), which publishes The Boulder Monitor, will launch a newsletter in a new market and pilot targeted outreach, positioning The Monitor as a digital-first news organization in a new rural geography.  

• The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, MA) will train its reporters to produce short-form video with help from Influencer Journalism, a platform launched by digital strategist Adriana Lacy. The paper plans to integrate video into its newsroom workflow and content strategy to appeal to younger audiences. 

• The Community Voice (Wichita, KS) will expand youth-centered coverage and incorporate more visual, mobile-friendly stories to draw younger audiences from African American and underserved communities across Kansas and Kansas City.  

• The News Reporter (Whiteville, NC) will launch four targeted weekly newsletters focused on Lake Waccamaw, northern Brunswick County, small businesses, and sports.  

• The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA) will use the SMS marketing platform Subtext to engage and retain younger audiences with timely and targeted messaging. Potential use cases include weather, education, and sports, with opportunities to shape content strategy based on audience response. 

• The Salt Lake Tribune (Salt Lake City, UT) will develop a self-service ad portal and launch a dynamic inventory tracking system to open remnant inventory to local businesses and generate quick-turn sales. 

• Wick Communications will build a scalable, publisher-owned archive digitalization platform that can create searchable databases for its publishers across 10 states. It will also explore opportunities for AI licensing and paid digital products. 

• Willamette Week (Willamette, OR) will convert stories into short videos for social media and experiment with creator partnerships to draw younger audiences. Grant funds will be used to hire a part-time digital marketing strategist.