Funding Priorities

The Western Iowa Journalism Foundation exists to support the gathering, reporting, and publication of news and commentary that serves local communities. We believe a free and independent press uniquely promotes civic life, community identity, and self-governance.

We support local journalism regardless of its media form or business structure. We ground our work in the First Amendment’s broad protection of press and speech activity, which does not depend on credentials, professional status, or institutional affiliation.

Yet, as a charitable funder with limited resources, we must direct our support in ways we think will best advance our mission. In an evolving media environment—where journalism exists alongside marketing, advocacy, entertainment, and individual online expression—we apply mission-based priorities to guide our funding decisions. In doing so, we do not judge who is or is not “the press.” Instead, we rely on practical considerations to provide support that we anticipate will have the greatest public benefit.

Therefore, our funding priorities that guide our decision-making include:

1. Service to local communities
   We give priority to news organizations that demonstrably focus on well-defined geographic communities—such as cities, towns, counties, or regions. Many aspects of Iowa civic, political, and cultural life are organized locally. Local audiences benefit from reliable news sources embedded in their communities who provide sustained coverage of their local institutions, events, and shared concerns.

2. Commitment to long-term sustainability
   We seek to support local newsrooms that are working toward financial and organizational sustainability. In some cases, our funding may help a newsroom strengthen or adapt its business model. However, our grants are not intended to serve as a permanent or sole source of operating support for organizations without a viable path to continuity and growth.

3. Organizational capacity, accountability, and risk management
   Structural factors that affect a newsroom’s resilience and ability to serve the public over time also influence sustainability and our willingness to provide funding. For example:
   

   • Newsrooms with multiple journalists or contributors may present better positioning for longer-term continuity than sole proprietorships.

   • Risk-management practices—such as maintaining libel insurance and regularly training reporters and editors—help protect both journalists and the communities they serve just as they increase the likelihood that our support can produce lasting public benefit.

   • Editorial accountability includes clear ownership and governance disclosures, publicly available contact information, and an articulated and communicated correction and clarification process. 

   • Distinctions between news reporting and sponsored, promotional, or advocacy content—including disclosures when content is paid for or underwritten–are hallmarks of a responsible journalistic enterprise.

We do not rely on any single factor in making funding choices. We recognize that strong local journalism can take many forms and that creativity and novelty can provide the distinctiveness needed to gain, maintain, and serve local audiences. We reserve the right to modify these priorities at any time without prior notice.