Local news serves many critical functions: It fosters community identity by covering stories that resonate with residents’ values, culture and concerns; it informs citizens about government decisions and public services that affect their lives; and it encourages civic engagement and participation. Yet, the health of local news ecosystems is fragile. Many communities have lost their local newspapers or struggle to support them. Others are experiencing the rapid expansion of media companies that dominate their local markets with big corporate ownership and a push to profit from sensationalistic headlines.

Americans continue to value their local news, even as the industry faces a bleak financial outlook. Philanthropy is helping to fill gaps in funding, but the long-term solution lies in creating a more financially sustainable model for mission-based journalism.

As a result of these challenges, many local news outlets have suffered severe drops in revenue and shrinking staffs. In some cases, they have been forced to shutter entirely. The loss of these local resources can be devastating to communities. They lose a source of essential information, a watchdog that holds local leaders accountable and a forum for discussion about important issues.

The decline of local news is occurring across the country. Some places are becoming “news deserts,” where local news is scarce or nonexistent. Other places are seeing their local papers acquired and converted to nonprofit business models or shut down altogether. Still, many local news organizations are surviving or growing. In addition to traditional newspapers, these include radio and television stations, digital-only start-ups and social media platforms that serve the local community.