INFORMED CITIZENS LEAD TO A HEALTHIER WICHITA

To achieve our vision of a place where all Wichitans thrive and belong, residents need to be connected so that they can work together and support each other’s wellbeing. They need to be able to share information and take collective and coordinated action that spurs sustained growth in our community.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We’re laying the groundwork for an engaged community through local news collaboration, experimentation and transformation. Evolving from Focus Forward, we strive to create a more informed city by strengthening Wichita’s local news ecosystem.

Our Approach

Collaboration

Experimentation

Transformation

Informed &
Engaged Community

What We're Learning

•  Experiment and evolve
•  Flexible funding matters
•  Harness the power of local voices
•  Leverage national partnerships to bring a worldview

GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT

Wichita Journalism Collaborative 

Ten media groups collaborate to push the boundaries of traditional delivery platforms. Since launching, partners have published stories covering COVID-19 and mental health in Wichita.

EXPLORE OUR INVESTMENTS

Collaboration

Sent 20 cohorts of journalists to 8 field-specific conferences

Partnered with Solutions Journalism Network to launch the Wichita Journalism Collaborative 

Experimentation

Created a gathering space for journalists

Tested data-driven storytelling that engages users who are blind and visually impaired

Discovered delivery methods for the Spanish-speaking population

Transformation

Engaged 6 studies to guide community engagement

Co-partnered with American Journalism Project to develop The Beacon, a regional network of nonprofit newsrooms across Kansas and Missouri, which launched The Wichita Beacon
 

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is the Foundation getting involved in local news?

We work to fulfill our mission by investing in people and ideas to spark change – local news is one of those ideas. After three years of work with Focus Forward, we’re taking the next natural step to continue to inform and engage the community.

Isn’t it weird for a Foundation to support news and information?

Nope. The news ecosystem is shrinking, changing and polarized. The role of philanthropy in working through these challenges is more prominent today than ever before. As a funder, WF acknowledges and respects that we don’t shape news coverage, story selection or other editorial decisions within the newsrooms we are supporting.

How serious is WF about this?

We're not kidding. The Foundation has committed at least three years of staff time and additional resources to strengthen the local news ecosystem.

How you can take action

Have ideas to advance nonprofit services? Reach out.

Courtney Bengtson
Courtney Bengtson

Chief Strategy Officer

Email Courtney
Let's get started

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