Local Media Association
Local Media Association is a public charity based in Lake City, Michigan, formed in 1971. Its stated mission is to help media companies discover sustainable business models, and its work includes programs for business transformation, philanthropic support for journalism, industry collaboration, and sustainability for publishers of color.
Local Media Association at a glance
In short: Local Media Association gave $226K across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $15K), top state Texas. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $226,386
- -77.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- -6.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $15,092
- -76.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $6,500
- Total assets
- $2,096,512
- -21.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (4 of 13, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Texas (20% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Local Media Association
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 450, Lake City, MI 49651
Phone: (231) 839-8651
Website: https://localmedia.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Local Media Association
Who Local Media Association funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Houston Defender Newspaper Inc ($39K). Together the top 10 received $162K.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($52,168), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
96 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 62 grants of 96 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states. The largest reported shares of grant dollars went to Texas (20%), Maryland (12%), Georgia (12%), Washington (12%), and New York (12%). The website describes the Lab for Journalism Funding as serving news organizations across the country.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Local Media Association open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 13 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $6K first-time, $28K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $226K (2024) to $1.7M (2022). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $226K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Houston Defender Newspaper Inc Houston, TX | Stipends | $39,334 |
| Afro American Company of Baltimore City Baltimore, MD | Stipends | $27,668 |
| The Atlanta Voice Newspaper Atlanta, GA | Stipends | $27,668 |
| The Seattle Medium Seattle, WA | Stipends | $27,668 |
| 3 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $52,168 |
| Word in Black PBC Washington, DC | Stipends | $9,880 |
| Lee Publishing Inc the Observer Newspaper Sacramento, CA | Stipends | $6,000 |
| The Washington Informer Washington, DC | Stipends | $6,000 |
| The Dallas Weekly Dallas, TX | Stipends | $6,000 |
| American Publishing Company DBA St Louis American Newspaper Saint Louis, MO | Stipends | $6,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,096,512 | $1,302,843 | $1,615,598 | $226,386 | 15 | $91,697 |
| 2023 | $2,667,250 | $2,767,502 | $2,602,626 | $1,014,164 | 16 | $44,075 |
| 2022 | $3,525,556 | $4,247,970 | $4,463,902 | $1,653,330 | 41 | $43,579 |
| 2021 | $6,753,450 | $4,206,855 | $3,215,414 | $1,200,000 | 24 | $46,321 |
| 2020 | $3,111,253 | $12,083,932 | $11,875,646 | — | — | $8,574 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Local Media Association says it is focused on helping media companies discover new and sustainable business models. Its four strategic pillars are business transformation, journalism funded by philanthropy, industry collaboration, and sustainability for publishers of color.
Programs described in its filing include the Family and Independent Media Sustainability Lab, which works with family-owned and independent local media organizations on strategic business transformation aimed at long-term sustainability and financial independence. The filing describes Word In Black as a collaboration among ten leading Black publishers focused on shared services, networking, learning, and business models. The association also describes a Branded Content Project that trains advertising leaders from local media outlets in branded and sponsored content development.
The association’s website describes the Lab for Journalism Funding as training local newsrooms to develop philanthropic support. It also describes Local Media Foundation’s Local News Fund as a fiscal sponsorship program for journalism and community projects with charitable or educational intent, committed leadership, and potential for community impact. The Foundation’s website lists investigative and enterprise reporting on issues such as social justice, poverty, housing insecurity, education, and health inequities as examples of projects.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Local Media Association reported 15 grants totaling $226,386. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $39,334, with a median of $6,500. The filing lists stipends as the purpose for all itemized grants.
The largest reported grants were $39,334 to Houston Defender Newspaper Inc. in Texas and $27,668 each to Afro American Company of Baltimore City in Maryland, The Atlanta Voice Newspaper in Georgia, The Seattle Medium in Washington, and an individual recipient in New York. Other reported grants included $9,880 to Word In Black PBC and $6,000 each to Lee Publishing Inc. The Observer Newspaper, The Washington Informer, The Dallas Weekly, and American Publishing Company, doing business as St. Louis American Newspaper.
The association’s website lists the Covering Climate Collaborative as a program for local media organizations to cover climate-related issues; detailed application information is not available in the provided material. The Oklahoma Media Center 2021 Innovation Fund offered stipends to members of the Oklahoma Media Center for projects testing business models or engaging audiences. Its stated deadline, March 31, 2026, has passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Tracy Brown as secretary and Liz White as second vice chairman. Directors listed are Stephanie Slagle, Todd Handy, Toby Collodora, Sonny Messiah Jiles, Sonali Verma, Rich Hoover, Judi Terzotis, and Kevin Lloyd.
Local Media Association is led by John Small, Co-Ceo since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 9 of 30 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John Small
Co-Ceo
Chief Operating Officer → Co-Ceo, 2024
On filings since 2020
31 hrs/week
$195K (2020) → $224K (2024)
Nancy Cawley Lane
Co-Ceo
CEO → Co-Ceo, 2024
On filings since 2020
18 hrs/week
$357K (2020) → $281K (2024)
J. Tom Shaw
Chairman
Director → First Vice Chairman, 2023
First Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janice Norman
Director of Accounting
Director of Accounting & Finance → Director of Accounting, 2023
On filings since 2022
20 hrs/week
$105K (2022) → $91K (2024)
Amber Aldrich
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jodelle Bailey
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rich Hoover
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sonny Messiah Jiles
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Toby Collodora
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Handy
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Weatherly
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deanna Fox
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Lloyd
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sonali Verma
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Dubose
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Moriarty
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judi Terzotis
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ken Doctor
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Slagle
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Frank Mungeam
Chief Innovation Officer
On filings since 2021
7 hrs/week
$198K (2021) → $196K (2024)
Julia Campbell
Employee
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$130K (2022) → $165K (2024)
Penny Riordan
Employee
On filings since 2022
33 hrs/week
$151K (2022) → $157K (2024)
John Celestand
Employee
On filings since 2023
$137K (2023) → $138K (2024)
Apryl Pilolli
Employee
New on the 2024 filing
17 hrs/week
$132K (2024)
Lindsey Leisher Estes
Employee
New on the 2024 filing
25 hrs/week
$111K (2024)
Catherine Badalamente
Immediate Past Chairman
First Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2022
Chairman → Immediate Past Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janis Ware
First Vice Chairman
Treasurer → Second Vice Chairman, 2022
Second Vice Chairman → First Vice Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Barnes
Treasurer
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracy Brown
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Liz White
Second Vice Chairman
Director → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Second Vice Chairman, 2024
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Lisa Bishop (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Tom Sly (2020–2023) — Immediate Past Chairman
- Former: Andrew Ramsammy (2022–2023) — Employee
- Former: Jeremy Gockel (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Pam Laycock (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Pj Browning (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Shannon Kinney (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Robert Brown (2020–2021) — Immediate Past Chairman
- Former: Larry Lee (2021) — Director
- Former: Erica Smith (2020) — Director
- Former: Jake Volcsko (2020) — Director
- Former: Jim Brady (2020) — Secretary
- Former: Mark Poss (2020) — Immediate Past Chairman
- Former: Mick Cohen (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $281K, to Nancy Cawley Lane (Co-CEO). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Local Media Association
How much does Local Media Association give each year?
Local Media Association gave $226K across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.0M across 16 grants.
What is Local Media Association's typical grant size?
Local Media Association's median grant in 2024 was $6,500, and its average grant was $15,092, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Local Media Association that year got $6K on average.
Where does Local Media Association give grants?
Local Media Association's top state is Texas, with 20% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Maryland (12%) and Georgia (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Local Media Association give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Local Media Association's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Stipends" (15 grants).
Who are Local Media Association's largest grantees?
Local Media Association's largest 2024 grantees include Houston Defender Newspaper Inc ($39,334), Afro American Company of Baltimore City ($27,668) and The Atlanta Voice Newspaper ($27,668), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($52,168), which are not listed by name. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Local Media Association?
Local Media Association reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.3M.
What does Local Media Association fund?
Local Media Association says it is focused on helping media companies discover new and sustainable business models. Its four strategic pillars are business transformation, journalism funded by philanthropy, industry collaboration, and sustainability for publishers of color. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Local Media Association?
Local Media Association has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check localmedia.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Local Media Association's EIN?
Local Media Association's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-0914204. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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