LION: Local Independent Online News Publishers

🎤 🌟 Looking to launch a reader revenue model or transition to a different model? BlueLena's Ned Berke, Mirror Indy's Oseye (O-she-uh) Boyd, Richland Source's Jay Allred, and Montclair Local Nonprofit News' Liz George will explain the practical differences and expectations of running a donation, membership, or subscription program for reader revenue during the 2024 Summit session “Choosing a profit path: Comparing the effort and impact of different reader revenue models.” We can’t wait to hear their insights. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gB537t7j

Knight Foundation, one of our 2024 Summit presenting sponsors, is the largest funder of journalism projects in the U.S. Over the years, it has invested in organizations, ideas, and products that help publishers build sustainable, audience-centered newsrooms. This week, we met with Duc Luu, the journalism program’s director for sustainability initiatives. He shared insights into the foundation’s core strategy and his take on the main trend in journalism philanthropy. Spoiler: It’s about using grants as catalysts to secure other local funding sources, leaning into “local sources that care about local causes.” You can meet Duc and members of his team at the 2024 Summit. In the meantime, read the Q&A: https://lnkd.in/ghcKiyaF

Based in Chicago, the host city of our 2024 Summit conference, The Joyce Foundation is a 76-year-old philanthropy that invests in non-partisan, long-term policy solutions to promote racial equity and economic mobility for the next generation in the Great Lakes region. This week, we sat down with Hugh Dellios, the head of its journalism arm, to hear more about how it’s investing in the future of local news. Bonus: He also shares some tips for creating a strong, standout application when applying for funding. Read the Q&A: https://lnkd.in/gHfGFWYb

🎤 🌟 Conveying why your news business is valuable to your community can be challenging, especially when you’re trying to change the expectations of what a news outlet does and for whom. This 2024 Summit session, featuring Baltimore Beat's Lisa Snowden-McCray, CivicLex's Richard Young, and The Kansas City Defender's Ryan A. Sorrell, will explore how to find and communicate your niche and audience when you’re not the only (or biggest) game in town. Less than 50 Summit tickets remain; secure yours before we sell out! https://lnkd.in/gbNFvwUY

✨ In this week's LION newsletter ✨ 🥁 Our (99%) finalized, full Summit schedule 🌱 Meet the next 44 LIONs participating in our Sustainability Audit program, plus our exciting new partnership with Wichita Foundation 🤩 SO many LIONs listed as finalists of Institute for Nonprofit News's fourth annual awards https://lnkd.in/gEyVcA8R

🎤 🌟 A clearly defined and collaborative leadership model can make all the difference in a local newsroom. And in this 2024 Summit session, "Change from the top: How innovative ownership and leadership structures improve impact and productivity," The Appeal's Tara Francis Chan, Canopy Atlanta's Mariann Martin, and RANGE Media's Luke Baumgarten will share how they built worker-led, cooperative, and non-hierarchical leadership models to redefine how decisions are made, how work is accomplished, and how newsrooms make a difference. Get your ticket today: https://lnkd.in/gbNFvwUY

🎤 🌟 Burnout is the scourge of the journalism world. But how can you prevent it when you're used to doing more with less? In this 2024 Summit session, "Do less with more: How to combat burnout through ruthless prioritization," experts Brittany Harlow and AX Mina will help you create a "Stop Doing" list to identify the best use of your time, money, and energy — and what to let go of. You won't want to miss this session. We've sold 80% of Summit tickets; secure yours today! https://lnkd.in/gbNFvwUY

✨ In this week's LION newsletter ✨ 📣 Lead a Table Talk at the 2024 Summit 🌐 Dive into Project Oasis's new digital media directory 👏 Borderless Magazine shares lessons learned after successfully using field canvassers to reach Spanish-speaking audiences 🌟 Bonus: We've published another batch of three stellar Summit sessions, feat. Mukhtar M. Ibrahim, Christopher Baxter, Lisa Heyamoto, Colleen Leary, Lance Knobel, Luanne Rife, Laprisha Berry Daniels, MPH, MSW, Kenny Katzgrau, and Cara Kuhlman https://lnkd.in/ghQHub9r

✨ In this week's LION newsletter ✨ 💸 BoiseDev's winning secret to selling newsletter ads 🤖 Sign up for our AI AMA on August 8 ❗ Secure your spot at the 2024 Summit and take a look at the latest sessions in our impressive lineup (feat. experts from Conecta Arizona, Cardinal News, The Center For Michigan | Bridge Michigan | BridgeDetroit, News Revenue Hub, Santa Cruz Local, Flatwater Free Press, Documented, Mississippi Free Press, The Green Line, 9 Millones, Spotlight Delaware, The Diversity Pledge Institute, Blue Engine Collaborative, The Sacramento Observer, and LION) https://lnkd.in/gMX5bJqf

“We set out to see if it could help other newsrooms.” That’s how Lede AI went from an in-house experiment piloted by LION member Richland Source to a transformative tool that allows newsrooms to quickly and easily generate content readers love. And its latest capability, WordNerd, is designed to put assistive AI in the hands of any newsroom that wants it. We look forward to hearing more from co-founder and CEO Jay Allred at the 2024 Summit. Until then, you can check out this Q&A to learn more. https://lnkd.in/gtKt-etN