The Tiny News Collective Inc
The Tiny News Collective Inc is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based public charity that supports very small and early-stage U.S. news organizations serving unserved or underserved communities. It provides founders with coaching, technology, fiscal sponsorship, training and operational support to help them launch and grow community-rooted news organizations.
The Tiny News Collective Inc at a glance
In short: The Tiny News Collective Inc gave $2.4M across 48 grants in 2025 (avg $51K), top state New Jersey. 65% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,432,967
- +54.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 48
- +84.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $50,687
- -16.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $27,031
- Total assets
- $6,396,418
- +12.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 65% first-time grantees (31 of 48, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New Jersey (31% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Tiny News Collective Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 1500 Chestnut St Ste 2113, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: (202) 599-0229
Website: https://tinynewsco.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Tiny News Collective Inc
Immediate Needs Fund
The Tiny News Collective Inc
Amount
$5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Spark Fund
The Tiny News Collective Inc
Amount
Up to $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Tiny News Collective Membership/Founder Program
The Tiny News Collective Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling
Who The Tiny News Collective Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Silver News LLC ($232K). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
102 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 67 grants of 102 (66%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The membership program is limited to U.S.-based organizations serving underserved communities, under-covered issue areas or local communities. In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to New Jersey (31%), Kansas (11%), Colorado (10%), Illinois (8%) and Michigan (5%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 48 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Tiny News Collective Inc open to new grantees?
65%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 31 of 48 grantees (65%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $34K; repeat grants $81K. How we count
Medians: $19K first-time, $83K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2022–2025). 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 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $273K (2022) to $2.4M (2025). In 2025 it made 48 grants totaling $2.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Silver News LLC Aspen, CO | Support for Journalism Projects | $231,531 |
| The New Jersey Center for Nonprofit Princeton, NJ | Support for Journalism Projects | $200,549 |
| The Triibe Inc Waukegan, IL | Support for Journalism Projects | $150,955 |
| AC Joseph Media Atlantic City, NJ | Support for Journalism Projects | $142,015 |
| Atlantic City Focus Pleasantville, NJ | Support for Journalism Projects | $140,111 |
| Ottawa News Network Grand Rapids, MI | Support for Journalism Projects | $128,847 |
| Five Wards Media Newark, NJ | Support for Journalism Projects | $114,424 |
| The Optimist LLC Saint Michael, MN | Support for Journalism Projects | $103,660 |
| AB&C Bilingual Resources LLC Wichita, KS | Support for Journalism Projects | $94,532 |
| MatSu Sentinel Palmer, AK | Support for Journalism Projects | $94,458 |
Ready to take the next step with The Tiny News Collective Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The grant figures are reported totals; the 2025 filing lists 48 grants and the 2024 and 2023 filings list 26 and 16 grants, respectively.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $6,396,418 | $4,581,747 | $3,798,094 | $2,432,967 | 48 | $93,222 |
| 2024 | $5,709,208 | $6,584,054 | $2,670,154 | $1,576,654 | 26 | — |
| 2023 | $1,961,034 | $1,927,979 | $1,521,317 | $835,428 | 16 | — |
| 2022 | $1,312,870 | $1,875,144 | $725,337 | $273,009 | 12 | — |
| 2021 | $163,063 | $231,021 | $67,958 | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization states that it provides tools, resources and shared knowledge to help people build sustainable news organizations that reflect and serve their communities, and supports voices historically excluded from media and media ownership. Its website describes a broader mission of equipping news entrepreneurs in underserved communities through coaching, tools and strategic support.
In 2025, its stated programs included fiscal sponsorship, member services, technology support and consulting for new and existing members, along with monthly collective calls, workshops and open office hours. It also worked on research and development related to advertising and on a data and metrics program for small and early-stage news media entrepreneurs.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the organization reported 48 grants totaling $2,432,967. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $231,531, with a median of $27,030. The listed purposes were support for journalism projects.
The largest listed grants included $231,531 to Silver News LLC, $200,549 to The New Jersey Center for Nonprofit, $150,955 to The Triibe Inc, $142,015 to AC Joseph Media and $140,111 to Atlantic City Focus.
Grantees describe a range of local-news missions. The Mat-Su Sentinel says it provides objective, nonpartisan information intended to support residents’ understanding and engagement in local democracy, civic life and healthy communities. The Pulp says it publishes accurate and relevant news for Missoula and western Montana to promote discourse, civic engagement and community. The 51st describes its work as providing news as a public service, educating readers and building community in Washington, D.C.
The Tiny News Collective Membership Program is not a direct grant program, but membership provides access to regranting opportunities, including the Spark Fund and Immediate Needs Fund. The organization’s website says it reviews membership applications on a rolling basis. Applicants are asked to review the FAQ and readiness materials, meet the eligibility requirements, and prepare an application, with co-founders collaborating where applicable. Eligibility includes being based in the United States, being at least 18, and living in or being part of the community served. The organization must be pre-launch, early-stage or undergoing a transformative overhaul; legacy publications making a digital transition are not eligible. Membership also requires remote internet participation and at least one team member able to use English-language materials. The organization excludes people engaged in lobbying or creating content on behalf of a political candidate, politician or political entity, as well as employees of state, local or municipal government entities and members of Congress.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Amy Kovac Ashley as Executive Director; Erica Beshears Perel as Business Operations Director; Jillian Bauer-Reese as Treasurer; Lillian Ruiz as Chair; Tyler Fisher as Secretary; and Kara Meyberg Guzman and Amy Austin as directors.
The Tiny News Collective Inc is led by Amy Kovac Ashley, Executive Director on every filing since 2024; 2 of 7 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Amy Kovac Ashley
Executive Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$184K (2024) → $181K (2025)
Lillian Ruiz
Chair
Director → Directorco-Chair, 2023
Directorco-Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Erica Beshears Perel
Business Operations Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$119K (2025)
Kara Meyberg Guzman
Director
Director → Board Chair, 2023
Board Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Austin
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jillian Bauer-Reese
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tyler Fisher
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Aron Pilhofer (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Gina Chua (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Andre Natta (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Chris Krewson (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Heather Bryant (2021–2023) — Interim Executive Director
- Former: Chelsea Johnson (2023) — Director of Technology
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $181K, to Amy Kovac Ashley (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Tiny News Collective Inc
How much does The Tiny News Collective Inc give each year?
The Tiny News Collective Inc gave $2.4M across 48 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.6M across 26 grants.
What is The Tiny News Collective Inc's typical grant size?
The Tiny News Collective Inc's median grant in 2025 was $27,031, and its average grant was $50,687, across 48 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Tiny News Collective Inc that year got $34K on average.
Where does The Tiny News Collective Inc give grants?
The Tiny News Collective Inc's top state is New Jersey, with 31% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Kansas (11%) and Colorado (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Wichita, KS (3 grants), Austin, TX (2 grants), Washington, DC (2 grants) and Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does The Tiny News Collective Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 48 grants with a stated purpose on The Tiny News Collective Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support for Journalism Projects" (48 grants).
Who are The Tiny News Collective Inc's largest grantees?
The Tiny News Collective Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Silver News LLC ($231,531), The New Jersey Center for Nonprofit ($200,549) and The Triibe Inc ($150,955), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Tiny News Collective Inc?
The Tiny News Collective Inc reported $6.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.6M.
What does The Tiny News Collective Inc fund?
The organization states that it provides tools, resources and shared knowledge to help people build sustainable news organizations that reflect and serve their communities, and supports voices historically excluded from media and media ownership. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Tiny News Collective Inc?
The Tiny News Collective Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check tinynewsco.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Tiny News Collective Inc's EIN?
The Tiny News Collective Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-3963369. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
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 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 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 August 26, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Tiny News Collective Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Tiny News Collective Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-tiny-news-collective-inc-morg_79594f282a204753a63993ed1205d718
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_853963369_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Tiny News Collective Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-tiny-news-collective-inc-morg_79594f282a204753a63993ed1205d718},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 The Tiny News Collective Inc'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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