About The Project

The Western Iowa Journalism Foundation (WIJF) has selected the first participants in its Newsroom Modernization Project, an initiative designed to help rural community newsrooms strengthen their technology, audience growth strategies, and long-term business sustainability.

The inaugural cohort includes:

  • Pocahontas Record-Democrat

  • Central Iowa Publishing, including The Scranton Journal, The News Gazette, Ogden Reporter, and Madrid Register-News

  • The Stuart Herald

Each participant will receive a $15,000 technology grant, along with education, training, and one-on-one coaching from industry experts at Blue Engine Collaborative. The coaching will help newsroom leaders maximize the impact of their technology investments, strengthen digital operations, grow audiences, and identify opportunities for long-term sustainability. Upon completing the educational component, each newsroom will receive an additional unrestricted $5,000 grant to support its most pressing needs.

"Strong local journalism is essential to strong communities," said Kyle Munson, chair of the WIJF Board of Directors. "Financial support for reporting is important, but so much more is needed in today’s news economy. This project provides coaching and resources to help rural newsrooms develop a modern, sustainable business strategy for the long term—tailored to their communities. We hope it becomes a model that can be replicated to help local news organizations adapt and thrive."

Local journalism serves as a vital public good, providing residents with trusted information about local government, schools, businesses, public safety, and community life. Research has consistently shown that communities with strong local news outlets experience higher civic engagement, greater government accountability, and stronger community connections. WIJF believes philanthropy has an important role to play in preserving this essential civic infrastructure and ensuring communities continue to have access to reliable local news and information.

"Small rural newsrooms are continually asked to do more with less, but sustainability requires investment," said Becky Vonnahme, executive director of the Western Iowa Journalism Foundation. "This project is about equipping community publishers with the tools, training, and strategic support they need to serve their communities well today while building a stronger foundation for local news and information in Iowa."

The Newsroom Modernization Project is made possible through generous support from individual donors and foundations, including a lead grant from the Kind World Foundation. WIJF hopes the pilot program will serve as a blueprint for future investments in local newsrooms across Iowa.

Since 2021, the Western Iowa Journalism Foundation, a 501c3 public charity, has raised more than $2 million to support and strengthen community journalism across western Iowa through grants, partnerships, and innovative programs designed to ensure local news remains accessible and sustainable.