Why did NewsMatch decide to change how it would distribute main match funds?

While growth in individual giving has been a central marker of success for the program, we also noticed something bigger was happening. NewsMatch has also provided pathways for major donors, local and regional foundations, and small businesses to invest in independent news outlets in the form of local or additional match funds.

Local or additional matches are matching gifts that are awarded in addition to the funds given by national NewsMatch funders. Oftentimes, newsrooms leverage the national NewsMatch campaign model and messages to secure these gifts independently. In 2023, newsrooms secured $6 million in matching funds from nearly 1000 major donors, local foundations, and small businesses, surpassing the total amount of matching grants from national partners for the second year in a row.

In 2021, we changed the distribution of main match dollars to have the greatest impact in the field while supporting all INN participating members with resources, knowledge, and messaging to optimize their year-end campaign and secure local match funds.

View the recording of our past webinar to learn more about why we made these changes.