Alaska news organizations applying for Press Forward’s national pooled fund open call for coverage in underserved communities may sign up for office hours with a nonprofit philanthropy consultant before the June 12 application deadline.

Prospective donors, community leaders and journalists gathered in Anchorage for the launch of Press Forward Alaska this April. Events took place during "J-Week," the annual conference of news professionals hosted by the Alaska Press Club. The Atwood Foundation, Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism fund and Alaska Press Club hosted John Palfrey of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Jim Brady of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and Judy Woodruff, senior correspondent for the PBS NewsHour. 

A growing coalition of funders today announced the next phase of their plan to strengthen local news at an unprecedented level: Press Forward Locals. A network of local chapters across the country—starting in Alaska; Chicago; Minnesota; Philadelphia; Springfield, Illinois; and Wichita—are springing up as funders are coordinating or collaborating across states and regions to bring new donors and foundations together to expand resources for local news.

Press Forward Alaska will be led by the Atwood Foundation, with administrative assistance from the Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism fund.