Local news plays a critical role in keeping communities informed about the issues and policies that matter to their health and wellbeing. But with local news outlets on the decline, rural communities are at risk of being cut out of important conversations.
A recent Inside Philanthropy article by Martha Ramirez details how philanthropies like the Helmsley Charitable Trust support journalism that brings to light consequential local issues such as funding cuts and hospital closures. The story highlights how Helmsley’s grants for the Rural Health Desk at KFF Health News have resulted in more than 400 articles, videos and podcasts informing people of what’s going on in their region—and influencing policy and legislation around healthcare.
“If you’re not educating people of the issues, of all those areas, those areas are going to be challenged,” Walter Panzirer, a Helmsley Trustee, told Inside Philanthropy. “We care deeply about health. That’s our passion. That’s our focus. But what I hope is that other philanthropists and organizations see what we’re doing and then harness the power of journalism for their passions as well to help educate people and educate the policymakers of the situation in rural America.”
Four Ways Philanthropy’s Backing Local News in Rural America
