Press Forward Matching Challenge
gRANT & TRAINING PROGRAM
Motivate your audience to financially support local news — and triple their dollars in April 2027.
On April 8, 2027, local news organizations, partners and community groups across the country will come together to mark the second annual Local News Day. It’s a nationwide celebration of the importance of trusted local news in our communities.
We’re planning now to maximize the impact of this opportunity in Mississippi.
A new incentive for local newsrooms to turn their value to the community into financial support.
The Press Forward Matching Challenge is a nationwide pilot program, and Mississippi is one of 12 local chapters participating this year. Selected local newsrooms can receive $2 for every $1 in eligible new subscriptions, memberships and donations secured during April 2027, up to their approved matching limit.
Here’s how it works —
1. Apply
Local newsrooms can apply for up to $10,000 in matching funds by raising up to $5,000 in eligible audience contributions during April 2027.
2. Get Support
Selected newsrooms will access resources and take part in training sessions to help them get ready to prepare their campaigns.
3. Promote
Newsrooms will run a campaign to attract new subscribers, members or donors, centered around Local News Day and the value of local journalism to their communities.
What to Know About This Program
While some grant programs are designed to catalyze new initiatives or fund the work of local reporting, the purpose of this program is to help newsrooms express their value to the community in ways that motivate individuals to contribute to their work.
For this Mississippi pilot program, participation is limited to members of the Mississippi Press Association or Mississippi Association of Broadcasters. Please see full eligibility guidelines below.
How the Match Works
For every $1 a newsroom raises in eligible audience contributions during April 2027, Press Forward Mississippi will add $2, up to the newsroom’s approved matching limit (a maximum of $10,000).
Newsroom raises
$1,000
Press Forward adds
$2,000
Newsroom total
$3,000
$2,500
$5,000
$7,500
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
Examples assume an approved matching limit sufficient to cover the amount shown. Newsrooms don’t have to raise the full $5,000 to benefit. Every eligible dollar counts, up to the newsroom’s approved matching limit. Funds can support the newsroom’s general operations.
More Than Matching Funds
Beyond a one-time grant, our goal is to help newsrooms build new skills they can continue using to grow audience revenue. Selected newsrooms will receive:
Free campaign training for newsrooms with different levels of experience attracting subscribers, members or donors.
Ready-to-use materials, including sample emails, social media graphics and campaign templates.
Help planning a campaign so newsrooms can set realistic goals and connect with supporters.
Statewide and national promotion through Press Forward and Local News Day.
Access to a free online fundraising platform if needed. Newsrooms can continue using their existing subscription or payment systems if they meet reporting requirements.
Newsrooms don't need a campaign plan ready to apply. Building a plan is part of the process.
Information Sessions
Upcoming opportunities to learn more and determine whether to apply:
Thursday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m. - Noon
The Press Forward Matching Challenge will be among four “what’s next” topics we’ll share during this block at the 2026 Mississippi Community Journalism Workshop at Southern Miss. Press Forward’s national Director of Grantmaking Melissa Milios Davis will be with us in Hattiesburg for this event.
Friday, Oct. 30, 11 a.m. - Noon CT
Press Forward’s national team will host a virtual info session for local newsrooms within all 12 chapter geographies, including Mississippi. Register here.
Friday, Nov. 13, 9-10 a.m.
Virtual info session for Mississippi media members, in partnership with the Mississippi Press Association and Mississippi Association of Broadcasters. Sign up here. You can use the same form to submit any questions not answered below.
Application Timeline
Applications open Monday, Nov. 2
Applications close Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2026, at 5 p.m. CT
Selected newsrooms notified by Friday, Jan. 8, 2027
Details & FAQs
This is a pilot program. Mississippi is both participating and helping to shape the potential of future programs like this within the Press Forward nationwide network. Have a question that isn’t addressed below?
Who Can Apply?
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501(c)(3) nonprofit news organizations.
Locally owned and operated for-profit newsrooms.
Public media organizations.
College and student newsrooms producing journalism for the broader community, not just campus audiences.
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Primarily serve audiences in Mississippi.
Be a member of the Mississippi Press Association or Mississippi Association of Broadcasters, at any membership level.
Publish original, nonpartisan, non-advocacy, public service journalism relevant to your community at least twice a week.
Have at least one full-time equivalent journalist based in the community served. This can include multiple part-time staff, contractors, or contributors.
Have been operating in the community for at least one year.
Follow the professional and editorial standards of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Commit to participating in training, a campaign for new subscribers, members or donors, and reporting activities.
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501(c)(4) organizations.
Newsrooms whose primary audience is outside Mississippi.
Newsrooms owned or controlled by non-local, for-profit companies.
Organizations that do not meet the journalism or staffing requirements above.
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For-profit newsrooms can apply without an existing fiscal sponsor. However, all selected newsrooms must create a profile on the Press Forward Mightycause campaign page. Because Mightycause only hosts nonprofit profiles, for-profit newsrooms will need a nonprofit fiscal sponsor or partner for that purpose.
You can still use your existing fundraising or subscription platform to collect contributions, as long as you can provide the required contribution records.
Don't have a fiscal sponsor? Not sure if you need one? That's okay! Our application lets you indicate whether you're fiscally sponsored and request help finding one. You don't need to have everything arranged before applying.
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Applications open November 2, 2026, and close December 1, 2026, at 5 p.m. CT.
You’ll be asked about your newsroom, the communities you serve, your finances, experience attracting audience support, and goals for the April campaign.
You don't need to have all the answers. Estimates and preliminary ideas are welcome, and we encourage newsrooms of all experience levels to apply.
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Press Forward Mississippi will appoint a review committee to recommend a cohort of grantees to the Steering Committee. The review committee will not include individuals connected to any newsroom applying.
Press Forward Mississippi will consider the communities served, local information needs, geographic representation, newsroom capacity, campaign goals, and potential benefit to the newsroom. We’re seeking a diverse group of participating newsrooms from across Mississippi.
What is Required If We're Selected?
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Attend required virtual campaign training during February and March 2027.
Prepare and run a campaign for new subscriptions, memberships and/or donations from April 1–30, 2027, including participating in Local News Day promotions on April 8.
Use a subscription, membership or donation platform that can track individual eligible contributions, and create a profile on the Press Forward Mightycause campaign page.
Submit campaign contribution records by May 14, 2027, including supporter names, dates and amounts. Additional documentation is required for checks.
Submit a brief final report by May 31, 2027, sharing campaign results, lessons learned and feedback.
Participate in program evaluation and provide available photos, videos, or community impact information for program reporting.
Acknowledge Press Forward and Press Forward Mississippi in campaign communications, using the guidance provided.
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Training sessions will generally last 60–90 minutes. Experienced fundraisers may attend two or three sessions, while those newer to raising contributions may attend up to five sessions. Training is required, but the support will be tailored to your experience.
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Matching funds will be distributed after eligible contributions have been reviewed and verified, no later than June 30, 2027.
What Contributions Qualify for the Match?
During April 1–30, 2027, participating newsrooms will receive $2 in matching funds for every $1 in eligible contributions, up to their approved matching limit.
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Eligible contributions include:
New donations from individuals, including people who have supported your newsroom before.
New memberships and new subscriptions purchased by individuals. Subscription renewals do not qualify.
Recurring contributions started during the campaign.
Contributions made by check, with proper documentation.
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Individual contributions only. You are welcome to also seek sponsorships from businesses, foundations or other organizations, but these do not qualify for matching funds.
April 1–30, 2027. Contributions must be pledged and received during the campaign period, except for qualifying recurring gifts and new subscriptions.
$1,000 per donor limit. Up to $1,000 from each individual can count toward the match. Larger gifts are welcome, but only the first $1,000 qualifies.
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If someone starts a monthly contribution during April, up to 12 months of those contributions can count toward the match, subject to the $1,000 per donor limit.
For example, a new $50 monthly contribution could count as $600 toward your match. A $100 monthly contribution could count as $1,000, even though the full year would total $1,200.
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Absolutely! Your newsroom can still accept support from businesses, foundations, and other sources, as well as contributions outside the campaign period. Those funds simply won't count toward your Press Forward matching grant.
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You'll need to submit a report showing each eligible supporter's name, contribution date, and amount by May 14, 2027. Contributions by check also require copies of the checks and deposit slips.
Matching funds can be used for general operating support. For-profit newsrooms working with fiscal sponsors may have additional requirements.
What is the Timeline?
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Oct. 30, 2026:
Virtual information session, 11 a.m.-noonNov. 2, 2026:
Applications openNov. 13, 2026:
Mississippi info session, 9-10 a.m.December 1, 2026:
Application deadline, 5 p.m.By January 8, 2027:
Newsrooms notifiedFebruary–March 2027:
Campaign trainingApril 1–30, 2027:
Matching Challenge campaignApril 8, 2027:
Local News DayMay 14, 2027:
Campaign documentation dueMay 31, 2027:
Final report dueBy June 30, 2027:
Matching funds distributed
How Do We Track Eligible Contributions?
You can use your existing subscription portal, membership system, donation processor or community foundation giving page to collect eligible contributions.
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Subscriber, member or donor name.
Payment or contribution date.
Payment or contribution amount.
Newsrooms that need a platform to collect contributions can use Mightycause at no cost.
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No. You can continue collecting subscription payments, memberships or donations through your existing system, provided you can document eligible contributions. However, every selected newsroom must also create a profile on the Press Forward Mightycause campaign page.
The shared Mightycause page helps supporters discover participating newsrooms across the country. Creating a profile there is separate from the requirement to document eligible contributions through your own payment system.
Because Mightycause only supports nonprofit profiles, for-profit newsrooms will need a nonprofit fiscal sponsor or partner to create their profile. Press Forward can help you explore options if you don't already have one.
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Yes. Checks received during the campaign period can qualify. You'll need to provide copies of the checks and deposit slips as part of your contribution documentation.
Additional FAQs
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Local News Day is a national day of action that encourages communities to connect with and support local news. More than 1,300 newsrooms participated in April 2026, leveraging the awareness generated to launch new products, hold events, and ask readers directly for support. The next Local News Day is April 8, 2027, during the Matching Challenge fundraising period.
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Absolutely! This program welcomes newsrooms with different levels of experience running subscriber, membership or donor campaigns. Training and tools will help you prepare.
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That's okay. You'll earn matching funds based on your eligible contributions, up to your approved limit. For example, raising $2,000 could earn another $4,000, giving your newsroom $6,000 total.
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Newsrooms may apply for up to $10,000 in matching funds. Selected newsrooms may be approved for less than the $10,000 maximum. For example, a newsroom approved for $7,000 would need to raise $3,500 in eligible contributions to receive the full match.
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Press Forward Mississippi will share necessary application and campaign information with Press Forward, The Miami Foundation, and authorized program partners for program administration, contribution verification, evaluation and reporting.
Your publication name and basic newsroom information may be shared publicly as part of the program. Individual newsroom financial information will be kept confidential within the authorized program team, and public financial reporting will use aggregated results.
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You can still take advantage of Local News Day to run your own awareness or subscriber, membership or donor campaign. You can explore available campaign resources and, if eligible, set up a free Mightycause page.
ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE
When local newsrooms are more connected to local people, the benefits go both ways.
Mississippi media face pressure to adapt in the digital age. We aim to support that transformation, helping make local news operations more sustainable and valuable to the communities they serve.
Traditional advertising-supported models no longer provide the resources they once did for local news. Much of that advertising revenue has shifted to technology platforms. Making audience dollars a more significant part of newsroom revenue is one way to help evolve the business model while helping newsrooms focus on the unique value they provide to their communities.
This initiative builds upon the Local News Day movement, which was launched in 2025 by Montana Free Press Founder John Adams.
Hear the Local News Day founder describe the idea and how it’s grown —