Solution Set: How to produce in-person events that bring in money and more connection

July 9, 2026

There’s a certain point in the lifecycle of a local news publisher where they consider producing live events. Events have been big money-makers for larger publishers such as The Texas Tribune, but are they worth the time, effort and stress for smaller publishers? The latest installment of the Newspaper Executive Insights Poll from Blue Engine Collaborative, with funding from The Lenfest Institute, points the way toward successful events that can do more than bring in the bucks.

The publishers surveyed pointed to three key areas for making events worth the effort:

Partnering with organizations (or venues) that bring in their own built-in audiences.
Treating profitability as a multi-year project. One publisher lowered costs over time and grew margins to 60% by the third annual event.
Use events as a relationship-building tool with potential major donors, sponsors, funders, and the community.

“Events aren’t a replacement for anything,” wrote David Grant, director of partnerships at Blue Engine. “They do, however, help an organization express its partner, sponsor, and marketing strength — and can be absolutely strong profit drivers with the right patience and attention to detail.”

Now let’s get to some timely resources for newsrooms, including:

💸 Grants for narrative journalism by women and nonbinary reporters

🌟 A free ticket to the Radically Rural conference in New Hampshire

💵 A webinar about catalytic capital for local newsrooms

🚨 A new guide to help newsrooms cover disasters

Did we miss any resources? Drop us a line here and let us know.

INNovation from INN

INNovation, the weekly newsletter from the Institute for Nonprofit News, reports the latest research in the field along with lessons from INN’s 500-newsroom network. INNovation covers best practices for nonprofit news fundraising, audience development, and collaboration, along with weekly job openings. Subscribe here.

🧠 Brain food: insights from the field

Americans find it easier to find news about the world than their own community by Andrew Golis at Civic Info Needs Census

“In one community study, more than half of respondents said it was ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ difficult to find local news, while just 21% and 22% said the same about national and international news…We call this the Proximity Paradox. And we see it as proof of the profound challenge Americans face in navigating their daily lives and communities without access to quality local news and information.”

How funders can support Hispanic newsrooms in authentic ways by Mark Glaser at The Lenfest Institute

“Information access has never been more critical for Hispanic communities, and many news funders would like to support them. But how can they better understand the news outlets in these communities and their needs? And how can they do it in an authentic, culturally sensitive way? Effective funding must be rooted in research, listening, trust, and customized support rather than one-size-fits-all programs.”

Rebuild Local News’ Matt Pearce is trying to help journalists and lawmakers speak the same language by Sopie Culpepper at Nieman Lab

“The economic crisis in the local news sector is so urgent that the balance of concerns have tipped toward some kind of intervention. And I think some of the early experiences, like in Illinois, have assuaged me [and show] that it is actually possible to create these policies in a way that respects press freedom and doesn’t create surface area for the executive branch to come in and reward or punish the press based on their journalism or expression,” said Matt Pearce of Rebuild Local News.

Grants & Fellowships: bring in the 💰

Grants

Kari Howard Fund for Narrative Journalism from IWMF – The International Women’s Media Foundation is offering grants for narrative journalism written by women or nonbinary journalists with three or more years of professional experience in honor of Kari Howard, a leading story editor who died in 2022 at age 59. Applicants can be freelance or staff journalists and can apply individually or as part of a multi-format team. In previous years, grants averaged around $5,000. Apply by July 12.
Tarbell Center for AI Journalism Grants – Tarbell offers grants of $1,000 to $20,000 to support original reporting on AI published in established outlets, whether from freelancers or staff. It primarily funds written journalism but is open to supporting other formats. Tarbell is seeking applications across six focus areas: 1) accountability reporting; 2) AI policy and politics; 3) AI explainers and analysis; 4) AI in government and militaries; 5) AI labor impacts; and 6) AI developments in China. Apply by July 12.
SPJ Foundation Grants – The SPJ Foundation is now accepting grant proposals for projects that strengthen journalism and protect the public’s right to know. This cycle, priority will be given to initiatives that advocate for journalists and journalism, defend press freedom, promote media literacy, and help build public trust in credible news. Apply by August 13.
Ian Parry Photojournalism Grants – The program is an international photographic competition for young photographers who are 24 years of age or under, or anyone who is studying in a full-time photographic course. Recipients receive £10,000 towards their chosen project, along with a loan of Canon equipment and publication of images by The Guardian. Apply by August 31.
Shackelford Shines Stipend from the Tiffany Shackelford Foundation – Up to 10 stipends each year to support individuals in the journalism community. These stipends are aimed at helping professionals attend events and programs to enhance their skills as innovative editors, reporters, technologists, or similar roles. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Local News Reporting Grants from Pulitzer Center – You decide what underreported stories your community needs to engage with, and Pulitzer Center will support that reporting and champion it, including creating educational materials and organizing events to expand the reach of your stories and the conversation about them. The Center values data, investigative, and accountability journalism projects that tackle systemic issues and hold to account powerful local figures. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Collaborative Operating Models Program from the Public Media Bridge Fund – The first open call under the Sustainability Program focuses on advancing collaborative operating models across the public media system. The purpose of this initiative is to implement new operating and collaborative structures that strengthen the long-term sustainability of public media organizations. Investments up to $500,000 include grants, low-interest loans, and advisory services. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Special Opportunity

*Claudia Laws at Radically Rural 2025. Photo by Ben Conant.*

Attend Radically Rural conference with a sponsored ticket – The 2026 Radically Rural Summit is October 6 to 8 in Keene, N.H., with a Community Journalism track on October 7. Knight Foundation and The Lenfest Institute have provided funding to help cover the costs for a select number of journalists to attend, with two nights’ lodging, free admission to the Summit, and a stipend for travel expenses. Apply by July 12.

Fellowships

AI Accountability Fellowships from Pulitzer Center – The fellowships seek to support journalists working on in-depth AI accountability stories that examine governments’ and corporations’ uses of predictive, generative, and surveillance technologies to guide decisions in policing, medicine, social welfare, criminal justice, hiring, and more. The 10-month fellowship will provide journalists up to $25,000 — up to $20,000 for reporting and $5,000 for engagement activities. Apply by July 12.
Data Fellowship from USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism – A five-month program equips journalists with the tools to find and obtain data and perform analyses that can yield new and important investigative insights for health reporting. Fellows receive a $2,000 stipend to defray reporting costs; a multi-day, in-person training in beginner, intermediate, or advanced spreadsheets or RStudio; and five months of professional mentorship with top data journalists. Apply by July 22.
The Future of Work Reporting Fellowship from New America – The fellowship supports early- and mid-career journalists producing in-depth reporting that examines how education, workforce development, and the innovation economy converge — and what that means for people’s lives and livelihoods. The fellowship includes a $5,000 stipend, coaching, and an expense budget. Apply by July 24.
Chauncey Bailey Journalist of Color Investigative Reporting Fellowship from IRE – Over the course of the year, fellows receive IRE training, mentorship, data services, and support — with the goal of producing an investigative reporting project to help their community. The program also provides an opportunity for the fellow’s news outlet to benefit from their investigative skill-building. Apply by September 1.
Karsh Journalism Fellowship – The fellowship offers specialized training in Jewish issues to professional journalists and recent journalism school graduates. Fellows participate in three intensive all-expense paid retreats — in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. — engaging with leading journalists, scholars, policymakers, and innovators across arts, media, and business. Fellows receive a $4,000 stipend and all travel expenses paid. Apply by September 1.
Brain Health Reporting Fellowship from Poynter – A year-long fellowship designed to help journalists strengthen their reporting on brain health, neuroscience, and scientific research. It will bring together 30 journalists from across the country for advanced training, personalized coaching, and direct access to leading journalists, researchers, and medical experts. The program begins in December 2026 with a three-day convening at Poynter’s campus followed by monthly virtual workshops and individualized coaching throughout 2027. Fellows receive a $3,000 stipend. Apply by September 22.

Training: upskill FTW 🎓

Understanding catalytic capital for local news from Press Forward, July 10 at noon ET – Catalytic capital can help fill gaps that traditional grants and commercial financing often can’t, providing flexible funding to help news organizations invest in growth, innovation, and long-term resilience. Learn more about Press Forward’s new research on catalytic capital during this webinar exploring what it is, how it works, and the funding opportunities currently available.
LMA Lab for Journalism Funding, August through February 2027 – Since 2020, the Lab has trained more than 200 newsrooms on fundraising best practices. Community-based, locally controlled news organizations across the country are invited to apply to join this cohort. The Lab seeks a varied mix of media companies and welcomes both nonprofit and for-profit news organizations focused on civic journalism. Apply by July 12.
Understanding the national debt and the risks of a fiscal crisis from The Journalist’s Resource and Econofact, July 14 at noon ET – Learn about the sources of the unprecedented rise in U.S. government debt from top economists during this webinar. Gain knowledge about the connection between debt and inflation, the rising interest burden, and how a fiscal problem can become a fiscal crisis.
Beat Academy: Midterm Prep from Poynter, July 15 – During this 75-minute webinar, participants will learn alongside peers from across the country, guided by Jon Greenberg (Beat Academy lead faculty), Caryn Baird (Poynter news researcher) and Amy Sherman (PolitiFact senior correspondent). Attendees will receive practical tip sheets, reporting resources, and real-world strategies designed to help journalists cover the election with depth, accuracy, and confidence.
Building a better breaking news beat from The Center for Just Journalism – The training and mentorship program is for journalists who cover urgent and unfolding events involving crime, public safety, and the criminal legal system. The program focuses on the skills that matter most under pressure: vetting official statements, sourcing beyond law enforcement, using language and imagery that humanizes rather than harms, and understanding how the criminal legal system works. Apply by July 18.
Bringing readers back: Real-world tactics for combating news fatigue from ONA, September 2 at noon ET – Timely case studies from the Globe and Mail’s Angela Pacienza and consultant Jennifer Kho will address news avoidance in an era of unending content, offering attendees tactics and strategies to make their offerings more friendly and relatable, including creating entire new beats, broadening the scope of alerts, and re-thinking what makes an audience-first story mix.
Understanding U.S. indie info providers from CNTI and ONA, September 10 at noon ET – Drawing on in-depth interviews with 26 indie info providers, the discussion will focus on two of the most actionable areas: how indie info providers approach multiplatform distribution and audience reach, and how they’re working — often struggling — to build sustainable revenue.
Covering Child Welfare: A Journalist’s Guide to Impactful Reporting from Poynter, September 3 to November 12 – Build a stronger child welfare reporting beat with free expert-led training, practical tools, and newsroom-tested strategies. Identify meaningful story opportunities within child welfare systems, develop trusted sources and stronger community connections, and distinguish poverty from neglect and better understand how child welfare systems operate. Four participating newsrooms will receive $10,000 grants. Apply by July 31.
The Business of Journalism in the Age of AI from the University of Maryland, Monthly webinar series through December; free with registration – Aims to teach news leaders how to reinvent themselves to best serve the public. In this webinar series, experts from the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism and Robert H. Smith School of Business team up with industry leaders to offer their unique perspectives on how the news industry must evolve to thrive in the age of AI.

Support: Get the help you need ☎️

Emergency Mode for News from OpenNews, Newspack, and NC Local – The resource equips local journalists and their newsrooms with the tools they need to respond to climate disasters. With a disaster reporting action pack, software, and a learning community, Emergency Mode is designed to help journalists act nimbly and creatively to serve their communities when the unexpected happens.
Trusting News AI worksheet: Create an AI use policy – This worksheet is designed to encourage newsrooms to more quickly get on the record about if and how they use AI, without waiting months to share this information publicly with their community. If creating a new policy is a daunting task for you, this worksheet will suggest other ways to share your approach.
Local News Research Hub from Rebuild Local News and Syracuse University – Access a curated collection of studies that show how the decline of local news affects communities and the solutions emerging across the country. Building on Democracy Fund’s literature review, the Hub collates and regularly updates the evidence base to guide more targeted investments and policy interventions that support the local news ecosystem.
The Civic Partnerships Playbook from El Tímpano – The playbook walks newsroom leaders through the full arc of building a civic partnerships program: assessing whether the model fits their outlet, developing a strategy, setting prices, finding and pitching partners, and evaluating results. It addresses questions about the difference between civic partnerships and advertising, and the risks of working with government agencies.
The Lenfest Expert Network from The Lenfest Institute – The Expert Network connects local news organizations with experienced consultants who provide pro bono hands-on support to strengthen sustainability, audience engagement, and digital transformation for short-term consulting engagements lasting one to six months. Interested in joining an upcoming consulting round? Sign up for office hours here.

Events: learn and network 📅

SRCCON, July 8–9 in Minneapolis. SRCCON is a hands-on conference, full of conversations and workshops focused on the practical challenges that news technology and data teams encounter every day.
Indigenous Media Conference , July 22–24 in Portland, Ore. IMC is focused on enhancing accurate, contextual reporting on Indigenous people and communities while overcoming media stereotypes. It brings together Indigenous journalists, media professionals, and allies for education and networking.
National Association of Hispanic Journalists Conference, July 22–25 in New Orleans. Annual event for Latino journalists, media professionals, and students, dedicated to career development, networking, and improving representation in the news industry.
National Association of Black Journalists Conference, August 12–16 in Atlanta. Attendees go to hundreds of training sessions, workshops, entertainment, and networking events. Among thousands of attendees, everyone leaves with new professional contacts, inspired to enhance the journalism industry.
Local Media Fest from Local Media Association, August 18–20 in Chicago. The event is focused on revenue growth, digital innovation, and sustainability for local news organizations.
Independent News Sustainability Summit from LION Publishers, September 9–11 in San Diego. Brings together local independent online news leaders to share knowledge, hard-won lessons, and actionable advice on running a sustainable news business.
NLGJA’s National Convention, September 10–13 in San Francisco. The country’s leading event for LGBTQ+ journalists, media professionals, students, and educators. The community spans every corner of the industry, from broadcast and print to digital and radio.
Local News Camp from Blue Engine Collaborative, October 14–16 in Durham, NC. The event is for leaders who get things done: publishers, editors, audience directors, product leaders, and analytics mavens. Attendance is capped to preserve depth, connection, and meaningful exchange.

Ask a Bot 🤖

Prompt: In one brief paragraph, explain how the summertime affects our brains and productivity.

Answer via Claude: Summer heat can sap cognitive performance, since the brain spends more energy on staying cool rather than focused thinking, while longer daylight boosts serotonin and mood but can disrupt sleep if evenings stay too bright and warm. Combined with a looser, vacation-minded schedule, this often means productivity dips a bit even as people generally feel happier during the season.

Human analysis: I had such a great time on my summer vacation, going to the beach, seeing friends and family, taking in a couple World Cup games… Wait, wasn’t I supposed to be analyzing the bot’s answer? Where am I, home or away? 😀🌴