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
No grants recorded for .
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
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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