Program

Beyond Print grant program 2025 guidelines

⚠️ Applications are due by Nov. 17, 11:59 p.m. ET. To ensure that you can complete the application before the deadline, please create a Fluxx Grantee account no later than October 15.

The Lenfest Institute for Journalism is pleased to announce the 2025 Beyond Print Grant Program, which will provide up to $400,000 in total funding which supports independent local newspapers in reducing reliance on print, accelerating digital sustainability, embracing new distribution platforms, and reaching new and younger audiences. Individual grants will be awarded for up to $50,000 per organization.

Projects must be grounded in one or more specified focus areas. Grantees will contribute their results to the Toolkit, helping to expand the shared knowledge base for the industry.

Program goals

The Beyond Print program supports independent local newspapers in developing and testing strategies that:

Accelerate the shift from print to digital while preserving or enhancing access to local journalism.
Build sustainable revenue models, including subscriptions, advertising, membership, philanthropy, or other sources.
Redesign digital products to match customer needs, including young consumers.
Explore successful models for publishing on newer content distribution platforms.
Generate actionable lessons that can be replicated by peers.

Eligible focus areas

Eligible grants will focus on subjects covered in the Beyond Print Toolkit, including:

Communications Developing clear communication plans for staff, advertisers, and the public to manage a smooth digital transition.
Customer Service Enhancing customer support, including training representatives and developing tools to help readers transition to digital products.
Digital Products The creation and enhancement of digital offerings, such as newsletters, podcasts, or platform-native content that is attractive to young consumers (e.g. Meta Reels, TikTok videos, podcasts).
Digital Revenue Transitions Generating new income from digital audiences, including developing digital subscriptions, advertising models, and sponsored content.
Events and Other Revenue Streams Leveraging community engagement and events to diversify revenue beyond traditional advertising.
Manufacturing and Finance Addressing the financial and logistical aspects of print operations, including analyzing costs and identifying savings.
Newsroom Processes Streamlining workflows and implementing new systems to operate more efficiently in a digital-first environment.
Print Products Redefining the role of print, such as reimagining print editions or adjusting print frequency to provide unique value (e.g. developing a unique weekend edition delivered by USPS).
Print Revenue Transitions Shifting revenue and advertiser relationships from print-specific models to a new, sustainable digital-first approach.
Technology Systems Modernizing technical infrastructure, including migrating content management systems and integrating new tools.

We’re also interested in novel ideas and experiments that focus on emerging areas of interest for an updated toolkit:

Creator Partnerships Collaborations with independent journalists or content creators to broaden audience reach and explore new revenue sources.
Recruiting and Retaining Young Audiences Strategies to attract and engage with younger audiences on new platforms.

Eligibility

Who can apply: Independently-owned, local newspapers based in the U.S. that currently distribute a print product and are committed to digital transformation
Leadership commitment: Applications must demonstrate explicit support from the organization’s top leadership.
Project requirements: Must address at least one specified focus area with the goal of reducing print reliance and strengthening digital sustainability.

If you are unsure whether your organization qualifies as an independent local newspaper, please contact [email protected].

Funding

Up to $50,000 per organization, from a total pool of $400,000.
A range of projects of different sizes will be selected. We encourage applicants to propose innovative experiments of various investment sizes, not just projects that cost the maximum funding amount. The proposed budget should be appropriate for the scope of the project and your organization’s overall financial capacity.
Project duration: 3–6 months, based on applicant’s proposal.
Funds may be used for staff time, contractors, technology, events, or other direct project costs.
Grant funds may be used to support staff time and existing projects, provided applicants can clearly demonstrate how this investment in internal capacity will enhance the organization’s effectiveness and long-term sustainability. Grantees must also show how they will document and share the insights and learnings gained from this work with the public.
Both for-profit and non-profit newspapers are eligible to apply.

Reporting requirements

Grantees will submit a final report that includes:

Hypothesis & outcome — was it proven, disproven, or inconclusive?
Key activities & findings — successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
Audience impact — effect on audience expansion, engagement, and experience including engaging younger, next-generation customers
Sustainability implications — how the project informs long-term strategy.
Financial outcomes — cost/benefit analysis.
Advice for peers — recommendations for replication.

Reports will inform case studies published in the Beyond Print Toolkit, ensuring lessons are shared broadly.

Evaluation criteria

Applications will be reviewed on:

Alignment with Beyond Print goals and focus areas
A clear hypothesis, project plan, and success metrics
Feasibility (budget, staffing, leadership buy-in, timeline)
Audience-centered impact
Replicability for peer organizations

In addition to this criteria, the Lenfest Institute reserves the right to consider a range of factors to ensure a balanced and representative cohort, such as geography, communities served, and areas of focus. Final selections will be guided by the Institute’s commitment to strengthening the field as a whole.

Application process

Deadline: Monday, November 17, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

To submit an application through Fluxx, please click here and create an account. An administrator will validate your account within 48 hours via email and send you a link to create a password for your grantee account. You can then access the grantee portal, where you will see a list of open applications. Click the “Apply Now” button under the grant opportunity labeled “Beyond Print Grants 2025.”   

Selected grantees will be notified in December 2025.

Questions? Contact [email protected].