Pivot Fund Renews Support for Grassroots Newsrooms Expanding Impact Across Communities

Staff Report

The Pivot Fund is proud to invest $600,000 in renewed funding for several grantee partners who are leading the way in community-driven journalism. These organizations, each deeply embedded in their communities, are expanding their reach, developing innovative revenue models, and producing impactful reporting that fills critical information gaps for historically underserved audiences. 

The renewed grantees are NotiVisión Georgia, Courier Eco Latino, BeeTV, Baltimore Beat, and 285 South. Each demonstrates how local journalism can thrive with strategic investment and community engagement. 

“These newsrooms are proving that sustainable local journalism is possible when it’s rooted in community needs,” said Tracie Powell, CEO of The Pivot Fund. “We’re excited to continue supporting their growth and impact as they deepen their reporting and expand their financial sustainability.” 

Grantee Spotlights 

NotiVisión Georgia (Warner Robins, GA) 

NotiVisión Georgia has emerged as a powerhouse for Spanish-language journalism in Georgia, winning a regional Emmy Award for its investigative series on domestic violence, Esperando un Milagro. With continued Pivot Fund support, NotiVisión Georgia plans to expand rural reporting by hiring additional journalists to cover critical topics, including local elections. First funded in 2022, the outlet secured additional outside funding, expanded its team, and launched a bilingual newspaper in 2024. Website 

Courier Eco Latino (Columbus, GA) 

Courier Eco Latino strengthened its collaboration with Davis Broadcasting, Georgia’s largest Black-owned radio network, and, with continued Pivot Fund support, introduced a new obituary platform projected to generate $90,000 annually. First funded in 2022, the publication also hired an editor-in-chief, expanding its coverage for Latino and Black communities in Columbus. Website 

"We are honored to receive continued support from The Pivot Fund. Their commitment to local, community-based media makes a significant impact on our ability to deliver meaningful journalism," said Publisher Wane Hailes. "This funding enables us to hire more journalists and expand the breadth and depth of our coverage—crucial for informing and uplifting our community. Expanding our reach fosters greater engagement, allowing us to connect with more people and address the issues that matter most to our audience."

BeeTV (LaGrange, GA) 

First funded in 2022, BeeTV continues to bridge racial divides in Central Georgia with investigative journalism, local news, and community-driven content. BeeTV’s ubiquitous coverage of community events has drawn followers from across historically segregated La Grange and Central Georgia, showing how local news can be a unifier. With renewed funding, BeeTV plans to launch a live on-air newscast, featuring anchors, field reporters, and video journalists. With a 20,000-follower increase on social media and new digital advertising revenue, BeeTV is now positioned for further growth. Website 

Baltimore Beat (Baltimore, MD) 

Baltimore Beat used The Pivot Fund’s initial 2024 investment to expand its editorial team, attract new individual and institutional donors, and develop innovative new ways to generate revenue. The Beat reported a 60% increase in website traffic over the past year while it raised $100,000 from monthly online donors. It’s a vital resource for Baltimore’s Black community in more ways than one; the outlet’s Beat Boxes Initiative transforms newspaper boxes into supply stations for those in need. Now it has partnered with Peabody Brewery to launch a branded beer that will generate revenue to expand editorial initiatives, showing that advertising is not the only way news outlets can capitalize on community connections. Website 

285 South (Atlanta, GA)

With Pivot Fund support, 285 South has transformed from a Substack newsletter to a vibrant news outlet providing impactful coverage of Georgia’s immigrant and refugee communities. The outlet’s reporting on wage theft, tracking ICE arrests, and Georgia driving laws has led to tangible policy changes and increased community advocacy efforts. Since Pivot’s 2024 investment, it has expanded its newsletter and social audience to 14,000 subscribers and launched a website. With renewed funding, 285 South will develop a subscription strategy to convert social media reach and partnerships into paid subscribers. Website 

The Pivot Fund earlier this year awarded more than $ 1.2 million in grants to grassroots news organizations serving communities of color from the Pacific Northwest to South Florida.