The Public Interest News Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The Local News Fund suits local news outlets, whether print, digital, audio or video, that want to improve their business operations and sustainability, alone or in partnership.
- For this round, only outlets that are members of IMPRESS, IPSO, ICNN or a similar professional body with clear ethical codes can apply, so check membership first.
- Grants in this round range from £3,000 to £6,000, with £15,000 expected to be allocated in total, so a request in that range fits.
- The round is short: applications open on May 27th, initial applications are due by June 7th, and the detailed stage ends on June 21st, so start the eligibility check and short idea description early.
- Organisations that are not local news outlets, or not members of such a body, should not apply to this round, and the Foundation's stated geographic focus is Newry, Northern Ireland, with the UK as a priority, though the round's own eligibility terms decide who may apply.
Overview
The Public Interest News Foundation is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1191397).
The Public Interest News Foundation is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Its purpose is to promote public understanding and knowledge of the principles and practice of investigating, reporting and disseminating Public Interest News, and it works to regenerate local news and support independent publishers. Its strategy is organised around three pillars: the Local News Fund, the Local News Campaign and Local News Futures. According to the annual report, its annual giving was £190,250.
What they fund
Priority Areas
The Foundation works to regenerate local news and supports independent publishers to serve their communities with high-quality, trusted public-interest news. Its Local News Fund aims to unlock resources and patient capital for community-first newsrooms, helping sustainable local news providers to start and grow. Its grantmaking has supported local newsrooms and nonprofit news organisations. Its wider work includes research, capacity building and advocacy, and it works with a collaborative network of independent publishers. Through these activities, the Foundation seeks to strengthen local communities’ access to journalism and encourage informed civic participation.
Themes
- Independent local news
Geographic Focus
Newry, Northern Ireland. Priority: The UK.
How to apply
In the Newry Local News Fund round, applicants began with an eligibility check and short idea description, then made a detailed application; shortlisted candidates were supported to develop a final proposal for the grants panel.
Application windows:
- Local News Fund: Applications open on May 27th; the deadline for initial applications is June 7th, followed by a detailed application stage ending on June 21st.
Who can apply:
- Local News Fund: Local news outlets: Print, digital, audio, video or otherwise, aiming to enhance their business operations and sustainability, whether singly or in partnership. Applicants must be members of IMPRESS, IPSO, ICNN or similar industry or professional bodies with clear ethical codes.
Application success factors
What the charity says:
- Applications are assessed against set criteria, and shortlisted candidates are supported to develop a final proposal that they own.
Where they fund
Where it says it funds
- United Kingdom
- Newry
Similar funders
Funders supporting work similar to The Public Interest News Foundation.
Grants
The largest grants to organisations in this funder’s latest annual report:
- Watershed Investigations Limited£190,250year to 31 March 2025
Grant examples taken from the funder’s filed accounts.
Five years of accounts
| Financial year | Income | Expenditure | Grants paid | Accounts document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| year to 31 March 2021 | £125,633 | £30,412 | — | Accounts for year to 31 March 2021 |
| year to 31 March 2022 | £223,519 | £244,899 | — | Accounts for year to 31 March 2022 |
| year to 31 March 2023 | £449,315 | £335,495 | — | Accounts for year to 31 March 2023 |
| year to 31 March 2024 | £436,747 | £553,466 | — | Accounts for year to 31 March 2024 |
| year to 31 March 2025 | £613,339 | £718,874 | £190,250 | Accounts for year to 31 March 2025 |
- Grants paid, year to 31 March 2025: the accounts do not say whether this is grants awarded or paid.
Figures from the charity’s filed accounts and its register entry. The document icon links to the charity’s entry on the Charity Commission register, where its filed accounts can be found.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
- publicinterestnews.org.uk
- publicinterestnews.org.uk/about · read on 30 October 2026
- publicinterestnews.org.uk/funding · read on 30 October 2026
- publicinterestnews.org.uk/fund · read on 30 October 2026
- publicinterestnews.org.uk/blog/the-local-news-fund-empowering-newrys-journalism-ecosystem · read on 30 October 2026
- publicinterestnews.org.uk/contact · read on 30 October 2026
- Annual report (year to 31 March 2025)
This profile draws on the funder’s own website as well as its filed accounts.
Sources last checked on 30 October 2026.
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At a glance
Applying to The Public Interest News Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Public Interest News Foundation, 4th Floor, 18 St. Cross Street, London, England, EC1N 8UNsource
- publicinterestnews.org.uk
Applying to The Public Interest News Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Public Interest News Foundation, 4th Floor, 18 St. Cross Street, London, England, EC1N 8UNsource
- publicinterestnews.org.uk