About Alternative Newsweekly Foundation
A 501(c)(3) public charity that supports independent journalism and provides fiscal sponsorship to journalistic and media projects.
Focus Areas
journalismmedianewsfiscal sponsorship
Who They Fund
BIPOC individuals and communitiescommunity journalists/content creatorsprogram participants/trainees (Transformation Tech participants)
Funding Style
program supportcapacity buildingskills trainingproject-based funding
Topics
About Alternative Newsweekly Foundation
Alternative Newsweekly Foundation’s recent grantmaking is defined by support for independent journalism that also funds project fulfillment and the Transformation Tech participant pipeline. Its largest listed 2025 grant went to Chicago News Weekly LLC for BIPOC storytelling and community news, while another major award supported Arkansas Times Limited Partnership for project fulfillment and a Transformation Tech participant role. The pattern points to a funder that backs newsroom production, capacity-building, and participant-based project work rather than general philanthropy alone. The foundation also works across a wide range of local and regional media outlets. Grants in the list reach community publishers, newsweeklies, and digital media organizations in places such as Eugene, Portland, Seaside, and Charlotte, alongside California recipients including San Jose, Cathedral City, Sacramento, and Hollister. Several awards are explicitly tied to Transformation Tech participation, showing a repeated emphasis on training-linked support for media projects. This structure fits its stated role as a public charity supporting independent journalism and fiscally sponsoring journalistic and media projects. The grant record shows a mix of direct newsroom support and project-specific funding for organizations serving BIPOC communities and local audiences.
What Alternative Newsweekly Foundation Funds
BIPOC storytelling is a visible part of the foundation’s portfolio. In 2025, it gave $190,625 to Chicago News Weekly LLC for “BIPOC storytelling & community news,” linking larger support to content serving communities of color. Community news and local journalism appear across multiple grants. Oregon Journalism Project received $57,115 for project fulfillment, while Monterey County Weekly was awarded $44,788 for the same purpose, showing support for publication work tied to specific deliverables. The foundation also funds media capacity and training through Transformation Tech participant grants. Examples include $40,000 to La Noticia Inc in Charlotte and $20,000 to Isthmus Community Media Inc in Madison, both identified as Transformation Tech participants. Those awards suggest an interest in helping media groups build project execution and technical skills. Project fulfillment is another recurring theme, with grants tied directly to completing assigned media work rather than open-ended operating support.
How Alternative Newsweekly Foundation Gives
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$3.9M
Total Assets
$1.4M
Total Revenue
$5.5M
Total Expenses
$6.1M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $20K and $20K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$20K
Geographic Reach
National38 states funded
About 2% of grants go to recipients in CA.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
ELLEN J MEANY
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