Press Forward Chicago is a grantmaking initiative launched by The Chicago Community Trust in collaboration with the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and other local journalism donors. The program aims to revitalize the local news ecosystem in the Chicago region through targeted philanthropic investments in diverse, independent media outlets. These grants support the development of high-quality, community-centered journalism that addresses information gaps, strengthens civic engagement, and contributes to the health and vitality of communities across the region.

This 2025 funding round focuses exclusively on capacity-building support for local media outlets and includes one-year project grants ranging from $25,000 to $75,000. A total of up to 12 grants will be awarded. Press Forward Chicago prioritizes two strategic areas: audience growth and engagement, and financial sustainability. Grantees are expected to use funds to expand their reach, build more sustainable revenue models, and adopt business practices that ensure long-term operational success. The grant also includes participation in a peer learning community to foster collaboration and shared knowledge among grantees.

Eligible applicants must be located in Chicago or its neighboring suburbs in Cook County and must be nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, independent media outlets, or fiscally sponsored journalism projects with operating budgets under $5 million. Organizations that received two-year grants in the 2024 round are not eligible for this cycle. Applicants must demonstrate a clear plan for sustainability and audience engagement, and newsrooms that serve underserved or marginalized communities will receive special consideration.

The application process requires applicants to register and complete their application via The Chicago Community Trust’s GrantCentral system. Sponsored organizations without 501(c)(3) status must work with a fiscal sponsor that meets IRS qualifications. All applications must be complete and submitted by the deadline of May 8, 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Prior to submission, applicants must ensure their organizational profiles in GrantCentral are up-to-date and certified.

Information sessions are scheduled for April 10 and April 17, 2025, and may be attended virtually via Microsoft Teams. Site visits may occur during May and June 2025, and funding decisions will be made in July. Grant recipients will be notified between August and September 2025. During the grant term, recipients will be required to track and report on specific “Measures of Progress,” with indicators selected by the applicants from predefined outcomes in either the audience growth or financial sustainability categories.

For content questions regarding the application, applicants may contact PressForwardChicago@cct.org. For technical support with GrantCentral, inquiries can be directed to grants@cct.org. For support on outcome measurement and evaluation, contact learning@cct.org.