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Nonprofit and municipal organizations with projects aimed at building their communities may apply to the 2020 A Community Thrives program, a $2.3 million initiative of The Gannett Foundation. The program is sponsored by the USA TODAY Network's parent company, Gannett Co., Inc.
A Community Thrives logo
Times-News
USA Today, Times-News
The nationwide crowdfunding and grant program is entering its fourth year of supporting organizations that address social issues including education, housing, arts and culture, wellness and the environment.
Typically, organizations apply to raise money for a specific project. Accepted organizations will work to raise funds on their own through a crowdfunding campaign and then may be eligible for more than 100 grants.
Organizers say A Community Thrives gives local nonprofits the opportunity to fundraise on a national platform, while grants help further accelerate exceptional projects.
"The Gannett Foundation grants will support our readers' top community-building ideas to help address local needs and ensure a vibrant, healthy community. We are committed to work in partnership to help our communities connect, act and thrive," said Maribel Perez Wadsworth, Gannett Media President of News and Gannett Foundation Vice President [in a written statement].
More than a dozen grants set to be distributed are considered national grants supporting projects, ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. Separately, incentives aimed at rewarding high-fundraising projects will be offered.
Dozens more regional grants will also be distributed for general operating support, starting at $2,500. These grants are chosen by local leaders across Gannett's nationwide USA TODAY Network of newsrooms.
Michael A. Anastasi, vice president and editor of The (Nashville) Tennessean, said journalists are always searching for the “opportunity to make the world a better place through our work ... We know the community in a way that those outside the community just can’t.”
A Community Thrives harnesses that local knowledge in selecting winners of local grants. The combination of fundraising and grant opportunities has proven to be a "game changer" for local charities, Anastasi said — an ideal chance to get an "infusion of money."
"At heart, journalists are idealists. We like to see ourselves as public servants working to better our communities and helping our neighbors," Donnie Fetter, executive editor for Gannett's Triad newspapers, said. "Awarding a service-based grant through The Gannett Foundation is another way for us to help our community."
Since the A Community Thrives initiative last took place in early 2019, Gannett has expanded the footprint of the USA TODAY Network after joining GateHouse Media to become the largest U.S. media company by print circulation, serving communities in 47 states. For nonprofits, that means more regions will be offering local grants.
Last year, more than $4.5 million was distributed to nonprofits as a result of the program. Applicants raised more than $2.5 million through their own fundraising efforts and The Gannett Foundation gave out another $2 million in grants.
Grants this year will be awarded based on the proposed projects' viability, sustainability, community need and service to historically disadvantaged groups.
Organizations may submit applications between Aug. 18 and Sept. 11 on A Community Thrives' website: acommunitythrives.mightycause.com.
Contributing: Morgan Hines and Ashley May, USA TODAY
