Inside Root River Current, January 2025

We’re pleased to announce that Root River Current has been selected as a grant recipient from Press Forward Minnesota to support its growth as a digital magazine serving southeast Minnesota!

Over $500,000 was awarded to 13 smaller news organizations around Minnesota providing “hyperlocal, original reporting” to meet the needs of unique communities of interest, including rural communities.

May Vang, Minnesota Council on Foundations, is the staff lead for Press Forward Minnesota. (submitted photo)

“The 13 organizations selected through a rigorous process represent diverse media outlets that serve communities across the state, from the Iron Range to the Twin Cities metropolitan area,” according to the announcement by Press Forward Minnesota, a collaborative initiative dedicated to supporting local news and information throughout Minnesota. Each grantee will receive a one-year, $40,000 grant – in part to encourage local support for continued growth in the years ahead.

“We are incredibly excited to support these outstanding organizations that are vital to the health and well-being of their communities,” said May Yang, senior manager of policy and partnerships at the Minnesota Council on Foundations, who serves as the staff lead for Press Forward Minnesota. “These grants will help them expand their reach, innovate their reporting, and better serve their audiences.”

Tim Murphy is a program officer with the McKnight Foundation and part of the Press Forward Minnesota leadership team. (submitted photo)

Press Forward Minnesota’s grant program is supported by the McKnight Foundation, Bush Foundation, the Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media Group, the MacArthur Foundation, and the Taylor Family Farms Foundation.

“McKnight is thrilled to see 13 innovative newsrooms from across the state included in the first round of Press Forward Minnesota funding,” said Tim Murphy, program officer at the McKnight Foundation.

“These organizations are providing a vital service, helping to inform and connect diverse communities that have been affected by the local news crisis,” said Murphy. “At the same time, we know local journalism needs more support from more funders, businesses, and readers alike, to match the scale of the challenge. We look forward to building on this important first step to strengthen a local news ecosystem that serves all Minnesotans.”

Root River Current will focus its grant on strengthening operations, resources, and storytelling capacity to expand coverage, enhance audience engagement, and fulfill its commitment to “Building Community Through Storytelling.”

Inspired by this news? You, too, can help our growth by becoming a Root River Current Sustaining Partner; learn more and make your donation today – thank you!

Join a Visionary, Creative and Successful Board of Directors

Root River Current Board of Directors, December 2024. (Photo by Julie Fryer)

As noted in the announcement above, Root River Current is increasingly recognized as an eMagazine that is consistently providing stories of interest and value in southeast Minnesota – and we’re growing!

The existing ten-member Board of Directors is actively seeking potential directors to add more ideas, enthusiasm, and encouragement to grow Root River Current into something even bigger.

As a governing board, directors provide strategic direction, legal and fiduciary oversight, and staff management. Its organizational work includes coordinating marketing, fundraising, and resource development.

As a working board, directors contribute their time and expertise to content development, raising money, promotional campaigns, enhancing and extending Root River Current’s presence in the community, and collaborating with its staff to meet publication goals and deadlines.

The Board typically meets four to six times each year, including its Annual Meeting in March; responsibilities may also include attending committee meetings, donor events, or community outreach activities. Read more about Board responsibilities here.