Local Media Foundation
Local Media Foundation is a public charity based in Lake City, Michigan. Its mission is to help ensure a healthy future for local journalism by reinventing business models for news, and it supports journalism projects and programs focused on sustainability, collaboration, and public-service reporting.
Local Media Foundation at a glance
In short: Local Media Foundation gave $2.9M across 44 grants in 2024 (avg $66K), top state New York. 28% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,921,535
- +21.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 44
- +15.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $66,399
- +4.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $38,363
- Total assets
- $6,345,849
- +46.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (10 of 36, 2024)
- Primary geography
- New York (26% 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 Foundation
- 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 Foundation
Who Local Media Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Columbian Publishing Company ($395K). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Organizations only. It also paid 9 grants to individuals ($314,094), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
138 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 89 grants of 138 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website describes the Local News Fund as supporting projects in communities across the country. Its 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states; the largest shares of grant dollars went to New York (26%), Texas (11%), Washington, D.C. (9%), California (9%), and Michigan (8%).
The Oklahoma Media Center 2021 Innovation Fund was limited to Oklahoma Media Center members.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 44 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Local Media Foundation open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 36 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $38K; repeat grants $98K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $97K 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 $641K (2021) to $2.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 44 grants totaling $2.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Columbian Publishing Company Rochester, NY | Stipends for journalism projects and technology upgrades for digital journalism | $394,720 |
| Amnews Corpdba New York Amsterdam News New York, NY | Stipends for journalism projects and technology upgrades for digital journalism | $155,631 |
| New York News Publishers Association Albany, NY | Program Stipends for Journalism Projects | $150,480 |
| Ad-Mast Publishing Cothe Dallas Weekly Dallas, TX | Stipends for journalism projects and technology upgrades for digital journalism | $143,774 |
| The Washington Informer Washington, DC | Stipends for journalism projects and technology upgrades for digital journalism | $133,305 |
| Lee Publishing Company Inc Sacramento, CA | Stipends for journalism projects and technology upgrades for digital journalism | $129,839 |
| The Atlanta Voice - Voice News Network Atlanta, GA | Stipends for journalism projects and technology upgrades for digital journalism | $125,683 |
| Afro American Co Baltimore City Baltimore, MD | Stipends for journalism projects and technology upgrades for digital journalism | $122,544 |
| Seattle Medium - Tiloben Publishing CO Inc Seattle, WA | Stipends for journalism projects and technology upgrades for digital journalism | $120,669 |
| American Publishing Company DBA St Louis American Newspaper Saint Louis, MO | Stipends for journalism projects and technology upgrades for digital journalism | $119,145 |
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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 | $6,345,849 | $9,394,019 | $6,606,965 | $2,921,535 | 44 | $165,923 |
| 2023 | $4,341,510 | $6,588,923 | $5,991,755 | $2,408,892 | 38 | $67,553 |
| 2022 | $4,498,915 | $5,768,285 | $4,554,696 | $1,445,489 | 27 | $17,799 |
| 2021 | $3,508,085 | $2,006,681 | $2,375,692 | $640,760 | 29 | $1,791 |
| 2020 | $2,151,695 | $5,522,543 | $4,944,037 | — | — | $7,674 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that local journalism is essential to a strong democracy. Its four strategic pillars are business transformation, journalism funded by philanthropy, industry collaboration, and sustainability for publishers of color.
Its filing describes stipends for local journalism projects serving the public good, including reporting on education and health. The Local News Fund supports projects on issues such as education, poverty, and health. The foundation says it monitors projects and requires participants to report on resulting news coverage or community convenings and their impact; participants may be required to return stipend funds if they do not meet program requirements.
The 2024 grants included support for news publishers and journalism-related organizations. For example, the New York News Publishers Association describes itself as a trade association providing information and technical assistance to the newspaper industry and related organizations. Journalism Refugees Education Fund says it provides educational opportunities for people who have worked with local or international news media and their families. The CUNY Graduate School of Journalism Foundation says it supports the school’s educational and research activities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 44 grants totaling $2,921,535. Grants ranged from $5,824 to $394,720, with a median of $38,363. The largest listed award was $394,720 to The Columbian Publishing Company for journalism-project stipends and digital journalism technology upgrades. Other large awards included $155,631 to Amsterdam News, $150,480 to the New York News Publishers Association for program stipends, and $143,774 to The an individual recipient
The foundation’s website describes the Local News Fund as a fiscal-sponsorship arrangement: it contracts with media organizations to define and carry out journalism and community projects, then accepts charitable donations for those projects. It retains an administrative fee from contributions to cover administration and compliance. The website invites organizations to submit an inquiry to learn about participating.
The Oklahoma Media Center 2021 Innovation Fund was a past cycle, with a March 31, 2021 deadline. It offered stipends to Oklahoma Media Center members for innovation projects, including testing business models and reaching diverse audiences. Eligible project costs included software licenses, third-party vendors, and related marketing; operational expenses, office supplies, staffing, and equipment purchases were excluded.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing were Larry Lee, chair; Tanisha Leonard, first vice chair; J. Tom Shaw, treasurer; Erica Smith, immediate past chair; and directors Tom Sly, Tim Franklin, Shana Black, Leo Cusimano, Jane Wooldridge, and Daniel Williams.
Local Media Foundation is led by John Small, Co-Ceo since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 21 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John Small
Co-Ceo
Chief Operating Officer → Co-Ceo, 2024
On filings since 2020
9 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Cawley Lane
Co-Ceo
CEO → Co-Ceo, 2024
On filings since 2020
12 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larry Lee
Chair
Secretary → First Vice Chair, 2023
First Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brock Berry
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shana Black
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Sly
Director
Treasurer → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Apryl Pilolli
Technology Director of Knight Lma Bloom Lab
Employee → Technology Director of Knight Lma Bloom Lab, 2024
On filings since 2022
23 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
No compensation reported
Penny Riordan
Director of Business Strategy & Partnership
Employee → Director of Business Strategy & Partnership, 2024
On filings since 2022
7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Williams
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Wooldridge
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Celestand
Program Director of Knight Lma Bloom Lab
Employee → Program Director of Knight Lma Bloom Lab, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leo Cusimano
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Franklin
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erica Smith
Immediate Past Chair
First Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frank Mungeam
Chief Innovation Officer
On filings since 2021
33 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tanisha Leonard
First Vice Chair
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → First Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Badalamente
Secretary
Treasurer → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
J. Tom Shaw
Treasurer
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2023
Immediate Past Chair → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julia Campbell
Chief Business Transformations Officer
Employee → Chief Business Transformations Officer, 2024
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Lindsey Leisher Estes
Employee
New on the 2024 filing
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Samantha Johnston (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Stephanie Slagle (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Andrew Ramsammy (2022–2023) — Employee
- Former: Gordon Borrell (2020–2022) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Lisa Bishop (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Dwyer (2022) — Employee
- Former: Maple Lloyd Walker (2022) — Director
- Former: Chris Weatherly (2020–2021) — First Vice Chair
- Former: Guy Tasaka (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Liz White (2020–2021) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Jay Small (2021) — Chief Operating Officer
- Former: Bob Brown (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Chris Hendricks (2020) — Immediate Pastchairman
- Former: Jason Murray (2020) — Director
- Former: Mariah Craddick (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.
Frequently asked questions about Local Media Foundation
How much does Local Media Foundation give each year?
Local Media Foundation gave $2.9M across 44 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.4M across 38 grants.
What is Local Media Foundation's typical grant size?
Local Media Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $38,363, and its average grant was $66,399, across 44 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Local Media Foundation that year got $38K on average.
Where does Local Media Foundation give grants?
Local Media Foundation's top state is New York, with 26% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Texas (11%) and District of Columbia (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (4 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants), Dallas, TX (3 grants) and Baltimore, MD (2 grants).
Does Local Media Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 44 grants with a stated purpose on Local Media Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Stipends for Journalism Projects" (17 grants) and "Program Stipends for Journalism Projects" (8 grants).
Who are Local Media Foundation's largest grantees?
Local Media Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Columbian Publishing Company ($394,720), Amnews Corpdba New York Amsterdam News ($155,631) and New York News Publishers Association ($150,480), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 9 grants to individuals ($314,094), which are not listed by name. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Local Media Foundation?
Local Media Foundation reported $6.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.4M.
What does Local Media Foundation fund?
The foundation states that local journalism is essential to a strong democracy. 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 Foundation?
Local Media Foundation 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 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.
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 15, 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
Live grants for the work Local Media Foundation funds
Human Services Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Local Media Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Local Media Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/local-media-foundation-morg_a9477c1597fc494581e905ac94336585
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364427750_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Local Media Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/local-media-foundation-morg_a9477c1597fc494581e905ac94336585},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Local Media Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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