Press Forward Central Valley: From Funding Journalism to Building a Regional Movement
The James B. McClatchy Foundation is proud to anchor Press Forward Central Valley, a regional chapter of the national Press Forward movement that connects funders, narrative-change nonprofits, newsrooms, and civic partners to strengthen local journalism and democracy for the Valley’s multiracial, multilingual communities, while contributing California’s heartland perspective to the broader movement nationwide.
Press Forward Central Valley organizes its work across four core areas designed to move resources, relationships, and narrative power in rhythm with the field.
In October, JBMF convened over 60 journalists, storytellers, and community leaders for the Press Forward Central Valley Listening Session in Merced.
-
Grantmaking Reimagined: JBMF has designed a human-centered grantmaking operation that can move resources within 7–10 business days.
-
Ecosystem Organizing: We’re building the connective tissue for the field. Through listening sessions, site visits, and mapping across all ten counties, we stay in relationship with organizations to surface needs, trends, and opportunities. This proximity allows us to translate insight into strategy, linking what we learn on the ground to the policy, partnerships, and investments that strengthen the field.
-
Funder Organizing: Through the Press Forward California Collaborative, we convene funders as intentionally as we convene newsrooms. Together, we’re positioning California as a proof point for regional journalism investment and a model for how philanthropy can act in concert.
-
Coordinated Investment & Shared Capital: As anchor host, JBMF will steward the Press Forward Central Valley pooled & aligned fund, coordinating collective investments and cultivating new donors. This shared fund strengthens the flow of resources into the region and aligns donor activity around a common vision for the Valley’s journalism ecosystem.
Press Forward California: Journalism, Equity & Civic Infrastructure in California
Across California, a quiet arc is forming, one that links together funders, local leaders, practitioners, and organizers all working to strengthen journalism as civic infrastructure.
Press Forward California, an active collaboration and shared rhythm between Press Forward Central Valley, Inland Empire, and Silicon Valley Community Foundation, is setting the stage. From policy tables to funder organizing to strategy labs and community foundation partnerships, the collaboration offers a window into what’s possible when local journalism is centered in the broader movement for democracy and equity.
Programmatically, the chapters of Press Forward California are advancing work that goes beyond convenings but to reimagining how local information systems are owned, resourced, and governed.
To join, please reach out to Keiona@jbmcclatchyfoundation.org
