Local Media Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable trust based in Lake City, Michigan. Established in 2003, the organization drives innovative programs to sustain journalism and support local news initiatives. The foundation collaborates with industry leaders to advance business transformation in the media sector and works to promote the sustainability of journalism and news media.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.3M
+46.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.9M
+21.3% YoY
Grant Count
44
+15.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$66K
+4.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Local Media Foundation leads innovative programs that promote sustainability of journalism and news media. Primary funding focus areas include:
- Journalism and creative writing
- Education nonprofits
- Arts, culture, and humanities
- Historic buildings preservation
- Local news initiatives addressing issues such as education, poverty, and health
The foundation emphasizes industry collaboration as a core pillar, working with local and national media companies on sustainability initiatives.
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on New York, California, and Texas, though the Local News Fund supports journalism projects across communities nationwide.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $6,345,849
- Total Revenue: $9,394,019
- Total Expenses: $6,606,965
- Total Liabilities: $1,310,000
- Total Giving: $3,617,095
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,345,849 | $4,341,510 | $4,498,915 |
| Revenue | $9,394,019 | $6,588,923 | $5,768,285 |
| Expenses | $6,606,965 | $5,991,755 | $4,554,696 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $165,923 | $67,553 | $17,799 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
138 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Local Media Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Columbian Publishing Company ($394,720), Amnews Corpdba New York Amsterdam News ($155,631), New York News Publishers Association ($150,480).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AD-MAST PUBLISHING COTHE DALLAS WEEKLY DALLAS, TX | STIPENDS FOR JOURNALISM PROJECTS AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES FOR DIGITAL JOURNALISM | $143,774 |
| AFRO AMERICAN CO BALTIMORE CITY BALTIMORE, MD | STIPENDS FOR JOURNALISM PROJECTS AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES FOR DIGITAL JOURNALISM | $122,544 |
| AMERICAN PUBLISHING COMPANY DBA ST LOUIS AMERICAN NEWSPAPER SAINT LOUIS, MO | STIPENDS FOR JOURNALISM PROJECTS AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES FOR DIGITAL JOURNALISM | $119,145 |
| AMNEWS CORPDBA NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS NEW YORK, NY | STIPENDS FOR JOURNALISM PROJECTS AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES FOR DIGITAL JOURNALISM | $155,631 |
| BAR MEDIA INC SAN FRANCISCO, CA | STIPENDS FOR JOURNALISM PROJECTS AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES FOR DIGITAL JOURNALISM | $70,903 |
| BIZZY BEE ENTERPRISE LLCDENVER URBAN AURORA, CO | STIPENDS FOR JOURNALISM PROJECTS AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES FOR DIGITAL JOURNALISM | $5,824 |
| BROWN NAFF PITTS OMNIMEDIA INC WASHINGTON, DC | STIPENDS FOR JOURNALISM PROJECTS AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES FOR DIGITAL JOURNALISM | $85,666 |
| THE COLUMBIAN PUBLISHING COMPANY ROCHESTER, NY | STIPENDS FOR JOURNALISM PROJECTS AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES FOR DIGITAL JOURNALISM | $394,720 |
| CORINTH COMMUNICATIONS DBA THE DALLAS DALLAS, TX | PROGRAM STIPENDS FOR JOURNALISM PROJECTS | $11,748 |
| GLENN OAKS MEDIA LLC CHARLOTTE, NC | PROGRAM STIPENDS FOR JOURNALISM PROJECTS | $14,327 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOM SLY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TANISHA LEONARD | FIRST VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| TIM FRANKLIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SHANA BLACK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LEO CUSIMANO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LARRY LEE | CHAIR | 3 | — |
| JANE WOOLDRIDGE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| J TOM SHAW | TREASURER | 3 | — |
| ERICA SMITH | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR | 3 | — |
| DANIEL WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CATHERINE BADALAMENTE | SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| BROCK BERRY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NANCY CAWLEY LANE | CO-CEO | 12 | — |
| JANICE NORMAN | DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING AND | 20 | — |
| JOHN SMALL | CO-CEO | 9 | — |
| APRYL PILOLLI | TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR OF KNIGHT LMA BLOOM LAB | 23 | — |
| PENNY RIORDAN | DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS STRATEGY & PARTNERSHIP | 7 | — |
| JULIA CAMPBELL | CHIEF BUSINESS TRANSFORMATIONS OFFICE | — | — |
| FRANK MUNGEAM | CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER | 33 | — |
| JOHN CELESTAND | PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF KNIGHT LMA BLOOM LAB | 40 | — |
| LINDSEY LEISHER ESTES | EMPLOYEE | 15 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Local Media Foundation fund?
The Local Media Foundation leads innovative programs that promote sustainability of journalism and news media. Primary funding focus areas include: • Journalism and creative writing • Education nonprofits • Arts, culture, and humanities • Historic buildings preservation • Local news initiatives addressing issues such as education, poverty, and health The foundation emphasizes industry collaboration as a core pillar, working with local and national media companies on sustainability initiatives.
How do I apply for a grant from Local Media Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $5,700 to $394,720. **Recent Grant Activity:** As of 2024, the foundation made grants totaling $3,617,095. Recent documented grants include: • New York News Publishers Association: $150,480 for Program Stipends for Journalism Projects (2024) **Program Initiatives:** The foundation operates several programs and labs focused on local news sustainability, including: • Local News Fund: Supports journalism projects in communities across the country • Knig…
Where does Local Media Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on New York, California, and Texas, though the Local News Fund supports journalism projects across communities nationwide.
What size grants does Local Media Foundation award?
In 2024, Local Media Foundation awarded 44 grants totaling $2.9M — an average of about $66K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Local Media Foundation's EIN?
Local Media Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4427750. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Local Media Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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