Frequently Asked Questions

  • This year’s adjustment reflects both updated program design and funding realities following shifts in public broadcasting and philanthropic investments in the region. Instead of lowering the amount we could offer for each award, we prioritized depth of support and sustainability, ensuring that each funded newsroom receives more robust technical assistance and tailored financial support, over the number of awards. Because our region is underresourced comparatively, we’re working to grow the fund over time and would love to offer more repayable options in the future so newsrooms have more options and longer-term investment for years to come

  • After reviewing the data collected from the open call process and given the evolving nature of the public media funding environment, we chose to rebalance grant and repayable funding so that grantees could access business-support services in Year One and prepare for customized, repayable capital in Year Two (or before if your organization is investment ready).The repayable/recoverable products will be tailored to meet your publications investment needs and be structured with flexible terms. Unlike other grant programs where funding is offered “up to” a certain amount, we’re instead choosing transparency around the awards that will be given in this particular program. Each organization will still be eligible for at least $100,000 total in combined support over the two-year period, but year Year Two will be recoverable. We’re also providing free “Business Navigator” support to each awardee who will work with you throughout the grant cycle.

  • Yes, there is a certain degree of flexibility for you to apply for more support. The $50,000 figure is a starting point. Year-Two financing will be flexible, non-extractive, zero-interest, and based on the organization’s updated business model, needs, and repayment capacity developed with coaching from the Business Support Navigator.

  • The goal of this program is to develop new sustainable business models for regional news rooms and provide access to a spectrum of capital to meet a spectrum of needs. Through the business development support we’re confident in the abilities of every organization we’ve invited to apply to be positioned to manage these repayable products within the flexible, patient terms that will be provided. Given the exploratory nature of these investments, there will be very flexible and forgiving conditions and timelines for repayment. 

    Having said that, we want to be transparent that taking on any form of investment is not something that will be pushed upon any awardees, while also recognizing that  this particular Rural News Program may not be for you. If you choose not to move forward with an application, it will in no way hinder your ability to participate in future programs. For example, we are developing a suite of shared services and cohort learning opportunities that all organizations in our region can access in the months ahead, regardless of RNF funding or application status. For this particular funding opportunity, our aim is to provide each organization with additional capacity and expertise to be able to access blended capital in the future should they choose to do so.

  • If awarded, Year One’s $50,000 grant functions like every other grant. Any future RNF funding you’d access in Year Two (a general target of $50,000 being offered, though you can apply for more or less) is designed to ensure that we never leave a partner in a worse financial situation than when we started working together. This is NOT traditional debt - it is non-extractive, flexible on repayment timeline, zero interest, doesn’t require collateral or credit checks. It is important to note that RNF’s repayable grant products have no recourse for non-repayment, but these funds are meant to be a long-term “bet” on the region’s local news sector. So, a lack of repayment limits the Fund’s ability to provide your publication and others across the region with the same kinds of support down the road.

  • Year 1 is designed to map out your current business model and financials, working to identify ways to increase financial/operational efficiency and identify avenues for generating additional revenue. We know each of your organizations is “investment worthy” and through this process we will work towards building the capacity and confidence to make you “investment ready”. 

  • We are continuing to refine the Rural News Fund based on what we learn from this first cohort and from the evolving funding landscape. Our goal is to grow, sustain, and expand support for local news across Central Appalachia, but the timing and structure of future funding rounds will depend on available resources and partner alignment. We encourage you to stay connected through the Appalachia Funders Network newsletter, Press Forward Central Appalachia updates, and Invest Appalachia, where any new opportunities will be shared first.

  • Any award, repayable or not, will involve some financial due diligence and documentation that will depend on what your growth plans and capital needs are. RNF’s repayable grant products are the same as Invest Appalachia’s Catalytic Capital products. These include: 

    • Recoverable/Repayable Grants, which function like zero percent loans. These do not require credit checks or underwriting. 

    • Loan Guarantees/Loan Loss Reserves, which are tools that absorb risk for a partner lender; they are not loans to you by RNF/IA. By themselves, they do not require a personal credit check or personal guarantee. However, they are intended to unlock larger-scale financing from a lending partner such as the IA Fund or other community lenders. If you do wish to pursue a larger loan at any point, RNF will support that process and encourage creativity and flexibility from the lender. However, the lender will need to follow its normal underwriting process and will likely require more formal financial commitments (org financials, project docs, cash flow, and—if applicable—collateral valuation/appraisals)

    In short: 

    • Repayable grants: Streamlined, flexible, due diligence but no formal underwriting.

    • Loan Guarantee/Loan Loss Reserves: Facilitate access to loans (if you need larger capital investment), which are subject to lender underwriting.

  • Yes! In addition to the Business Development grant and repayable funding, participants gain access to:

    1. A Business Support Navigator and peer learning cohort (peer learning cohort meetings expected monthly for an estimated # hours) 

    2. Shared services under development (e.g., back-office, tech, audience, and revenue tools)

    Ongoing learning and collaboration opportunities through Press Forward Central Appalachia