Press Forward Washington Matching Challenge
Raise $5,000. Get $10,000 more. Strengthen local news in Washington.
For Newsrooms
Washington newsrooms are invited to join the Local News Day 2027 Matching Challenge.
Washington News Fund, Washington's Press Forward chapter, is inviting local newsrooms across the state to take part in a new fundraising opportunity as part of Local News Day 2027. Up to 14 Washington newsrooms will be selected to receive free fundraising training, ready-to-use tools, and the chance to triple the money they raise from their audiences in April 2027.
Eligibility is broad. The Matching Challenge is open to nonprofit, locally owned for-profit, and public media newsrooms across Washington, including college and student newsrooms that serve the broader community. See full eligibility requirements in our Program Guidelines.
We will give priority to newsrooms for which raising $5,000 in a month is within reach but would be a stretch. The goal is to help newsrooms build fundraising skills and community support they can keep using long after the campaign ends. Whether you’re new to fundraising or already have some experience, we encourage you to apply.
Applications open November 2 and close December 1, 2026, at 5pm PT.
Have questions about the Matching Challenge? Join Press Forward for a virtual information session on Friday, October 30, from 9 to 10 a.m. PT to learn more about the opportunity, eligibility, and application process. The session will be recorded and shared. Register here.
This opportunity is presented by Press Forward, Washington News Fund, and Local News Day.
How the Match Works
More Than Matching Funds
We are here to help you succeed. Selected newsrooms will receive:
- Free fundraising training for both beginners and experienced fundraisers.
- Ready-to-use materials, including sample emails, social media graphics, and campaign templates.
- Help planning your campaign so you can set realistic goals and connect with supporters.
- Statewide and national promotion through Press Forward, Washington News Fund, and Local News Day.
- Access to a free online fundraising platform if you need one.
For Donors
Your gift to the Washington News Fund matching pool will be doubled by Press Forward, then used to triple what newsrooms raise from their readers this April. Every dollar goes straight to the newsrooms Washington communities rely on.
Interested in contributing? Visit our Ways to Give page or reach out to us at kaarin@wanewsfund.org.
Important Dates
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll find more details in our Program Guidelines. Please reach us at kaarin@wanewsfund.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Local News Day is a national day of action that connects communities with trusted local news. More than 1,300 newsrooms took part in April 2026. The next Local News Day is April 8, 2027, during the Matching Challenge campaign.
Press Forward selected 12 local chapters for this pilot and pledged each one up to $70,000. The Washington News Fund is matching that pledge by raising funds from local donors and foundations, and together those dollars make up Washington’s matching pool. Newsroom match caps will be finalized in March 2027 once the pool is set.
Up to $10,000. Your newsroom earns $2 for every $1 in eligible contributions raised April 1 to 30, 2027, up to your match cap, which will be finalized in March 2027.
You’ll still earn matching funds on everything you raise. For example, if you raise $2,000 from your audience, you’ll receive $4,000 in matching funds, for $6,000 total.
Yes. Fundraising experience is not required. Training has two tracks, one for newsrooms that are newer to audience fundraising and one for more experienced fundraisers.
Yes, if they are locally owned and operated. For-profit newsrooms will need a nonprofit fiscal sponsor to participate. If you don’t have one yet, we’re happy to help you think through options. For full eligibility requirements, see the Program Guidelines.
Yes, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. Outlets that share a Washington-based owner can each apply separately if each serves its own distinct audience and the funds go directly to that outlet. For full eligibility requirements, see the Program Guidelines.
The application takes more or less time depending on how much practice you’ve had describing your newsroom and its finances. You can preview every question here to get a sense of what’s involved.
If you’re selected, newsrooms attend 60- to 90-minute training sessions in February and March 2027. Experienced fundraisers will attend two or three sessions, and newer fundraisers up to five. You’ll also submit contribution documentation by May 14 and a short impact report by May 31.
We have a small statewide committee that will be viewing all applications in confidence. We share application and campaign data with Press Forward and The Miami Foundation for match validation, evaluation, and aggregated reporting. Your publication name will be included in the public announcement of participating newsrooms.
We hope you’ll still take part in Local News Day on April 8 and use it to rally your community’s support. Newsrooms that need an online fundraising platform can set up a free Mightycause page. Further, we will keep every applicant informed about future Washington News Fund opportunities.
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