Building a sustainable future through philanthropy, innovation and impact: Insights from LMA's Frank Mungeam

Local News Matters

Frank Mungeam, chief innovation officer at the Local Media Association, discusses his "Sustaining Philanthropy for Journalism" report released last month. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement and listening as the foundation for developing impactful journalism projects that resonate with local needs. Mungeam outlines a strategic approach to building a sustainable philanthropy model, starting with grassroots support and leveraging impactful journalism to attract funders. Beyond philanthropy, he delves into the broader landscape of innovation and product development within the industry, highlighting the need for local news outlets to adapt to the evolving demands of their audiences. Mungeam envisions a future where a diverse and inclusive local news ecosystem thrives, supported by a blend of philanthropy, community engagement, and innovative content strategies.

Episode chapters:

(02:05) - The burning questions facing local news

(09:17) - Listening for audience needs and the Jobs to Be Done framework

(16:09) - The challenges in local TV news

(21:25) - Taking a risk with Next with Kyle Clark in Denver

(28:10) - Getting outside your legacy lane and mining your archives

(34:56) - Sustaining Philanthropy for Journalism report: Local funders needed

(38:59) - How can philanthropy be sustainable?

(47:22) - Fundraising as a path to better community service, storytelling and product development

(52:04) - Impact is the secret sauce of local journalism

(56:21) - Start with listening then build a philanthropy funnel

(59:49) - Rapid-fire questions

Correction: In the recommendations segment, Frank recommends Man’s Search for Meaning by Eli Wiesel. The book is by Viktor Frankl.

Links:

• Frank Mungeamt: LinkedIn, Twitter/X

• Local Media Association

• Sustaining Philanthropy for Journalism report

• Mentioned:

• Innovator's Dilemma and Jobs to Be Done by Clayton Christensen

• Next with Kyle Clark

• Verify

• Press Forward

• How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins

• Pathways to Philanthropy report

• Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

• Recommended

• Tao Te Ching by Lao-tzu, translated by Stephen Mitchell

• Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey

• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

• Local News Matters: web, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn

• Colorado Press Association: web, Twitter, Facebook

• Tim Regan-Porter: bio, Twitter

For show notes, transcripts, newsletter sign-up and past guests on the Local News Matters podcast, please visit localnewsmatterspodcast.com or lnmpod.com.

Past guests on the Local News Matters podcast include: Kelly Ann Scott (Alabama Media Group), Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita (URL Media), Elizabeth Hansen Shapiro (National Trust for Local News), Mike Rispoli and Richard Young (via When the People Decide), Sarabeth Berman (American Journalism Project), Rabbi Hillel Goldberg and Shana Goldberg (Intermountain Jewish News), Lyndsay C. Green (via The Journalism Salute), Rashad Mahmood and Mark Glaser (New Mexico Local News Fund), Christian Vanek and Barbara Hardt (The Mountain-Ear), Dan Grech (BizHack), Zack Richner (Easy Tax Credits), Tracie Powell (Pivot Fund), Dan Oshinsky (Inbox Collective), Linda Shapley (via What Works), Yehong Zhu and Jake Seaton (Zette, Column), Charity Huff (January Spring), Joaquin Alvarado and Dave Perry (Aurora Sentinel), Steve Waldman (Rebuild Local News), Maritza Félix (Conecta Arizona), Michael Bolden (American Press Institute), Jeff Roberts and Corey Hutchins (CFOIC, Colorado College), Eve Pearlman and Erica Anderson (Spaceship Media), Jennifer Brandel (Hearken, Democracy SOS), Corey Hutchins with Bay Edwards, Todd Chamberlain and Raleigh Burleigh (Sopris Sun).