Press Forward and the Online News Association Join the Rebuild Local News Coalition

Rebuild Local News has welcomed two national leaders in local news to its coalition: Press Forward and the Online News Association. As the number of local journalists declines and news deserts grow nationwide, these partnerships come at an important moment. Their expertise will support our efforts to build a sustainable information ecosystem, strengthen local newsrooms and help ensure communities have access to reliable civic information through public policy.

Press Forward is a national philanthropic organization focused on mobilizing funders and resources to revitalize local news. Its coalition of funders has invested more than $400 million in local newsrooms since 2023 to keep communities informed. Press Forward also includes a network of 41 local chapters in more than 30 states, uniting local donors and foundations to identify approaches that meet the information needs of their communities – both urban and rural – and expand resources for local news.

Dale Anglin, executive director of Press Forward, said, “As a coalition ourselves, we know that our industry is stronger when we move forward together. There’s too much work, and too much promise, to shoulder alone. We’re excited to join Rebuild Local News and collaborate with coalition leaders to help write a new story for local news.”

The Online News Association is one of the largest nonprofit membership organizations for digital journalists, providing training, resources, and industry support to professionals around the world. The organization represents reporters, editors and other media workers from a broad range of newsrooms across all delivery platforms, including those in legacy and commercial outlets. Its network spans philanthropy, technology and academia to support the evolution and resilience of the industry.

“Joining the Rebuild Local News Coalition is a natural extension of our work and long-standing commitment to shaping a resilient local news ecosystem,” said Niketa Patel, CEO and executive director of ONA. “We’re excited to collaborate with Press Forward and fellow coalition members to advance policy and shared solutions that reinforce what we know: Healthy communities rely on strong local journalism.”

The Rebuild Local News Coalition will also be joined by Nutfield Publishing, a family-owned publisher in New Hampshire that has produced weekly newspapers for over 20 years, serving the communities of Londonderry and Hudson.

As legislative sessions begin across the country in early 2026, these new coalition members and their expertise will help inform Rebuild Local News as it develops and advances nonpartisan policies to strengthen community news and information in more states.

“The addition of these new member organizations reflects the broad range of advocates working to ensure communities have access to local news and information. These include funders expanding resources for local newsrooms, digital journalists across many types of outlets and publishers with deep roots in the communities they serve,” said Steven Waldman, president of Rebuild Local News. “Their involvement strengthens the coalition’s collective voice and will help inform our policy work in the year ahead.”