Building Informed, Empowered Communities Through Press Forward Chicago

Communities flourish when they have access to reliable information. Chicago has a robust local news ecosystem, but many outlets face an uncertain future due to shifts in business models and how people consume and access news.

To address this challenge, the Trust is spearheading Press Forward Chicago, the local affiliate of a national initiative led by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to raise unprecedented funds to revitalize local news. We are surveying the field and partnering with institutions including Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism to explore both needs and potential remedies.

Press Forward Chicago is a way for donors to work together to support the experimentation and learning that will yield scalable solutions to the local news crisis. In 2024, the initiative awarded $1.6 million in capacity-building grants to 13 local news organizations across the region, from Cicero Independiente to South Side Weekly.

Helmed by Tracy Baim, a native Chicagoan with more than 40 years of experience as a journalist and community media publisher, Press Forward Chicago is supported by a coalition of more than 20 funders and continues to welcome additional donors. Through shared vision and coordinated action, we can advance a thriving local news ecosystem that amplifies community voice, exposes critical issues, and inspires resident action.

“Press Forward Chicago is about building stronger communities by ensuring every Chicagoan has better access to information on issues that affect everyone, from housing and transportation to education and safety. We invite all to join us in this effort.”

Ken O’Keefe
Donor and Steering Committee Member
Press Forward Chicago