The Listening Post Collective (LPC) is proud to announce a $3 million grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. This significant investment will enhance LPC’s Civic Media Playbook initiative, empowering local media and civic news sharers to strengthen information ecosystems across the United States.

 The Civic Media Playbook is a free, self-paced information assessment tool, available in English and Spanish that provides users with a step-by-step Information Ecosystem Research template to understand a community’s information gaps and opportunities and create community-driven and supported local information initiatives. The grant from the MacArthur Foundation will allow LPC to scale the Playbook’s impact, particularly in priority regions identified through the Civic Information Index.

This grant is a pivotal piece of LPC’s strategy.

“MacArthur Foundation’s generous support signals a deep commitment to building community-centric information ecosystems,” said Carolyn Powers, Director of U.S. Programs at Internews. “Our goal is to inspire the growth of Information Gardens in every community across the US. This funding will allow us to provide direct support and resources to civic media entrepreneurs in communities that could benefit most from improved access to information.”

The funding will enable LPC to expand its suite of services, including offering over 50 micro-grants to civic media entrepreneurs in priority communities. The grants, paired with tailored coaching and tools, are essential for launching resilient, community-focused media initiatives that address pressing local information needs across the country.

“We believe local media should reflect the communities they serve, particularly in areas that grapple with lower levels of civic health” said Jesse Hardman, LPC’s Founder. “This funding brings us closer to achieving a future where every community has access to high-quality, essential civic information.”

The Civic Media Playbook is a key initiative within Listening Post Collective’s long-term strategy. Over the next five years, the team’s goal is to inspire and invest in hundreds of community information ecosystems across the country. MacArthur Foundation’s commitment to this work provides Listening Post Collective with the foundation needed to reach and inspire more community-driven civic media initiatives in the US.

As LPC builds on this momentum, the organization invites additional funders and collaborators to join its mission of fostering vibrant local information ecosystems in America. Those interested in supporting the Civic Media Playbook or other LPC initiatives are encouraged to contact LPC’s team to explore partnership opportunities.

About The Listening Post Collective

The Listening Post Collective (LPC) was established in 2013 to adapt Internews’ global expertise in community information mapping for the U.S. Through innovative strategies, LPC helps local media and community organizations address information gaps and empower underserved communities.

 Find out more at listeningpostcollective.org