Founded in late 2024, the Washington News Fund emerged as Press Forward Washington—the state chapter of a national movement to strengthen local journalism. Five community foundations from across Washington came together to address the decline of local news and its impact on civic life, creating a coordinated philanthropic partnership dedicated to ensuring every Washingtonian has access to reliable, relevant news and information. In January 2025, a Founding Director was hired to lead the work.
Washington News Fund is fiscally sponsored by the Whatcom Community Foundation.
Vision: Every Washingtonian has access to reliable, relevant local news and information.
Mission: To strengthen and grow a local news and information ecosystem in Washington State that reflects the voices, experiences, and priorities of all Washingtonians.
Washington News Fund serves as the Washington Chapter of Press Forward. Press Forward Locals are a network of chapters across the country where funders bring new donors and foundations together to strengthen local news. These chapters are an opportunity for funders to create place-based initiatives, driven by the specific information needs of their communities.







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