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National Trust for Local News CEO on Saving Newspapers in Georgia and Beyond | The Free Press Initiative
The nonprofit publisher says earned revenue now covers 84% of operations as it seeks more acquisitions after a 2025 restructuring.
- In July, nonprofit publisher The Trust acquired two Georgia dailies, expanding its portfolio to more than 50 outlets and operating 21 print and digital publications across the state.
- Following a brutal 2025 restructuring, when national expansion ambitions collided with operational realities, The Trust sold 21 of its 28 Colorado papers and downsized in Maine.
- CEO Tom Wiley implemented stricter financial performance metrics to ensure sustainability; the organization now generates 84% of its income through "earned revenue" rather than philanthropy.
- "We have a much longer financial runway," Wiley said, describing the organization as healthy rather than fixed, with $8 million in annual philanthropy supporting modernization of The Macon Telegraph and The Ledger-Enquirer.
- Wiley believes buying and modernizing legacy outlets is faster than building new ones, allowing the organization to sustain roughly 5,000 local papers while navigating an industry that remains a "perpetual work in progress.
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National Trust for Local News CEO on saving newspapers in Georgia and beyond | The Free Press Initiative
The Trust was hit with the reality of the news business last year. Its new financial stability looks to be a boon for local news.
·Vashon, United States
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Total News Sources16
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center15Last UpdatedBias Distribution94% Center
Bias Distribution
- 94% of the sources are Center
94% Center
C 94%
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