LION Publishers

Apply to judge the 2026 LION Publishers Sustainability Awards - LION Publishers LION Publishers seeks volunteers to serve as judges for the eighth annual LION Publishers Sustainability Awards.

📣 Volunteer opp: Become a judge for the 2026 LION Sustainability Awards!

Help us highlight the outstanding achievements of LION members across the U.S. and Canada – and gain insights into what's working in independent news.

Apply by 3/20 at 5 p.m. PT: lionpublishers.com/apply-to-jud...

2025 Impact Report - LION Publishers Strengthening the local news industryBY EMPOWERING INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS 2025 Impact Report Who We Are From Our Executive Director 2025 Overview Program Progress Case Studies Looking Ahead Financials...

'Scale' is our 2025 word of the year, and our newly released Impact Report shows why. Check out what we accomplished and what we have in store for 2026: lionpublishers.com/annual-repor...

To all our supporters, thank you for making our work possible. 💙

Policy Platform - LION Publishers LION's policy platform represents our priorities for supporting the continued growth of a more equitable and sustainable media ecosystem.

🏛️ Just last week, we announced the launch of LION's first-ever policy platform, which reflects our strategic goals and advocacy priorities. And with local news legislation currently pending in 13 states, this couldn’t be more timely.

Check it out: lnkd.in/geS_Sc8n

Padma Umakanthan joins LION Publishers as our Finance Manager - LION Publishers As our first specialized finance manager, Padma will help make LION’s financial management more proactive and efficient.

As LION’s revenue continues to grow and diversify, including the management of several time- and purpose-restricted grants, we’re expanding our team! Please join us in welcoming our first specialized finance manager, Padma Umakanthan. So happy to have her! 👋 💸 ✅

lionpublishers.com/padma-umakan...

3 big risks catch up with some indie publishers in 2026 "These emerging publishers need to learn how to properly manage risk for their businesses. The data shows us that, by and large, many don't do that right now."

💡 LION's @niemanlab.org prediction: Following biz best practices when building and running an indie newsroom will always be important, but in 2026, it's these 3 big financial, legal, and operational risks that publishers will want to be aware of — and address: www.niemanlab.org/2025/12/3-bi...

Philanthropy overtakes advertising as most common revenue stream for LIONs - LION Publishers In 2025, independent news publishers across the U.S. and Canada saw surges in foundation funding and reader revenue.

​💡 Discover top local newsroom revenue trends in 2025, based on our evaluation of 300+ news orgs. One big shift? More LIONs, across all tax statuses, report philanthropic support (grants, donations, etc.) as a major part of their financial picture. lionpublishers.com/philanthropy...

Journalism Support Exchange A central resource hub for journalism support organizations

✨ Excited to see the launch of — and be part of — #PressForward and Commoner Co.'s new Journalism Support Exchange (JSX), a searchable database that local newsrooms can use to find tools, resources, and connections to help them build and grow their businesses.

Check out this one-stop shop: jsx.news

2025 Sustainability Audit Report - LION Publishers A Roadmap for Local News Sustainability Hundreds of surveys, hundreds of hours, hundreds of datapoints. One comprehensive look into the state of local news businesses. Introduction Background & Defini...

💯s of surveys, hours, datapoints. One comprehensive look into the state of #localnews businesses...

Our new report, A Roadmap for Local News Sustainability, reveals 21 key indicators for achieving sustainability, plus essential field-level insights. Take a look 👇

lionpublishers.com/sustainabili...

⚠️ Heads up, LION (and @tinynewscollective.bsky.social) members!

If you're thinking about attending our free Virtual Vendor Fair on 11/19, we've already handed out about 1/2 of our tickets. See who's presenting, get registered, and stay tuned for the final agenda: lionpublishers.com/virtual-vend...

7 Technical SEO Essentials for Local Publishers - LION Publishers LION members and fellow local publishers can improve their SEO ranking and increase readership by following these easy-to-use guidelines.

🚀 A common FAQ from our members is how to boost their SEO so more readers can easily find their content.

So we asked our friend @danielpetty.bsky.social to help us help them. He's put together a guide with 7 SEO tips for local publishers. Check it out: lionpublishers.com/7-technical-...

Funders reveal what makes grant applications stand out - LION Publishers Standing-room-only session at the 2025 Summit revealed five tips from philanthropy officers who help decide the fate of funding proposals.

💡 At the 2025 Summit, we heard from @knightfoundation.org's Duc Luu, #PressForward Chicago's Tracy Baim, and @barrfoundation.org's Stefan Lanfer on what makes grant applications stand out. Take a look at these 5 practical tips: lionpublishers.com/funders-reve...

LION to help 40 New England publishers thanks to Barr Foundation grant - LION Publishers This $265,000 Barr Foundation grant will support post-Audit tools and resources for up to 40 New England newsrooms.

‼️ Big news: The Boston-based @barrfoundation.org has awarded a $265,000 grant to LION to support recommendations from our Sustainability Audit for up to 40 independent newsrooms in New England. Learn more: lionpublishers.com/lion-to-help...

21 LION members have been named winners of the 2025 Sustainability Awards - LION Publishers We honored all 51 finalists and announced the winners of the seventh annual LION Publishers Sustainability Awards at our ceremony in St. Louis.

🏆 👏 21 LION members have been named winners of the 2025 Sustainability Awards! Read about them and their exceptional work: lionpublishers.com/21-lion-memb...

💙 Sponsor support makes the 2025 Summit possible, and this year, we’ve added new features and improved existing ones, thanks to our À la Carte sponsors @rjionline.bsky.social, @bluelena.io, @democracyfund.bsky.social, @lenfestinstitute.org, Spot-On, and Flying Comet Games.

See you next week!

💫 Shoutout to our incredible Vanguard 2025 Summit sponsors, including AP Fund for Journalism, Broadstreet, Jobcase, Nextdoor, Newspack, Press Forward, and Creative Circle Media Solutions. Most will be joining us in St. Louis next week; last call to join us! lionpublishers.com/summit-2025/

T-shirt design for LION Publishers' St. Louis conference, featuring the Arch, the state capitol building, a riverboat and a LION flying the famous Spirit of St. Louis biplane.

St. Louis, here we come! In a couple of weeks @lionpubs.bsky.social's Independent News Sustainability Summit lands, with this slick design available on t-shirts only for in-person attendees...

How Knight Foundation helps indie news publishers implement scalable, sustainable business models - LION Publishers Knight invests in organizations, ideas, and products that help publishers create sustainable, tech-savvy, and audience-focused newsrooms.

✨ We’re thrilled to welcome @knightfoundation.org back as a sponsor of our 2025 Summit! We spoke with Marisa Kwiatkowski, director for the journalism program, to learn more about how they make essential tools more accessible to independent publishers. Read the Q&A: lionpublishers.com/how-knight-f...

💫 Fewer than 85 tickets remain for the 2025 Summit, and only about 50 are still up for grabs for the LION Awards.

And now... 🥁 🥁 🥁... we’re excited to reveal our full schedule. Check it out: lionpublishers.com/summit-2025/...

Let the FOMO set in; you won't want to miss this one!

🎤 ✨ Can’t wait for this 2025 Summit session covering how our Sustainability Audit drives growth for LIONs, feat. @berkeleyscanner.com, @johnsoncountypost.bsky.social, @shoresides.bsky.social, @newsfromgoogle.bsky.social, and our Audit program expert. Don't miss it: lionpublishers.com/summit-2025/

How Newspack helps indie news publishers grow revenue with tailored tech solutions - LION Publishers Newspack makes it easier for local news leaders to publish impactful journalism, grow their audiences, and ultimately, boost their revenue.

💸 Want to save time and bring in more dollars? Of course you do! Find out how 2025 Summit sponsor, @newspack.com, helps local news leaders publish impactful journalism, grow their audiences, and ultimately, increase revenue. lionpublishers.com/how-newspack...

🎤 ✨ Moving beyond founder leadership is a key milestone for newsrooms. In the 2025 Summit session, "What it takes to transition (successfully!) from a founder-led news outlet to next-gen leadership," you'll hear success stories and tips from those who've done it. lionpublishers.com/summit-2025/

🎤 ✨ During our 2025 Summit opening keynote, you’ll hear firsthand how LION members used #PressForward grants to strategically grow their businesses; join us in St. Louis: lionpublishers.com/summit-2025/

Double the data leads to big changes for LION’s Maturity Model for digital publishers - LION Publishers Independent news publishers can use this ​data-informed model to assess their progress as they work to develop more sustainable businesses.

💅 We first shared our Maturity Model for #independentnews publishers in 2023 after delivering 200 Sustainability Audits. Now, 450 Audits in, aka armed with more than twice as much data, we've given our model a glow-up: lionpublishers.com/double-the-d...

🎤 ✨ Who said work can’t be fun? At the 2025 Summit, we’ll hear from these news leaders during “Four practical ways to amplify joy and impact through community engagement,” featuring real-life (and replicable!) examples that got results. Join us! lionpublishers.com/summit-2025/

How BlueLena helps indie news publishers turn readers into loyal, long-term supporters - LION Publishers Want to boost your audience strategy? BlueLena’s Mariangela Salmeron shares how they’ve helped LION members master the funnel.

🚀 Want to boost your audience strategy? 2025 Summit sponsor @bluelena.io's Mariangela Salmeron shares how they help indie publishers turn readers into loyal, long-term supporters (plus, shoutout to LION member Fredericksburg Free Press!): lionpublishers.com/how-bluelena...

LION Publishers receives $1 million Press Forward infrastructure grant - LION Publishers The funding will be used to provide financial and HR support to up to 80 independent newsrooms over three years.

📣 Excited to share that we're one of 22 projects selected for #PressForward's Open Call on Infrastructure funding; this $1M grant will allow us to provide expert HR and financial consulting services to up to 80 indie news publishers. Learn more: lionpublishers.com/lion-publish...

🎤 ✨ News entrepreneurs without experience selling advertising often don’t know where to start, and during this 2025 Summit session, these news leaders will share valuable strategies and tips to help you take the first (and subsequent!) steps. Join us in St. Louis: lionpublishers.com/summit-2025/

How RJI helps indie news publishers pursue meaningful projects that center community - LION Publishers RJI’s director of innovation, Kat Duncan, shares exciting trends, examples of stellar projects, and what’s next.

💡 We're big fans of 2025 Summit sponsor @rjionline.bsky.social, as they've helped many of our members explore new ideas and connect with their communities. Read this Q&A with their director of innovation, Kat Duncan, to learn more: lionpublishers.com/how-rji-help...

🎤 ✨ Want to start working with influencers? At the 2025 Summit, you’ll have the chance to participate in a practical workshop on this hot topic, led by @phillydesign.bsky.social, @samragland.bsky.social, Ariel Zirulnick, and @adrianalacy.com. Learn more: lionpublishers.com/summit-2025/

Meet the 51 finalists for the 2025 LION Sustainability Awards - LION Publishers Winners will be announced live, in person, at the LION Awards Ceremony & Dinner on Wednesday, September 3, in St. Louis, Missouri.

💥 We're thrilled to announce that 51 member organizations are finalists for the 2025 LION Sustainability Awards! Check out our list of outstanding publishers and plan to join us in St. Louis this September for the big celebration! lionpublishers.com/meet-the-51-... #LIONAwards25