Apply for the News Revenue Hub’s Catalyst Subsidy Fund

New program will empower newsrooms to grow, experiment, and strengthen their sustainability models

Thanks to generous support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, News Revenue Hub is proud to launch the Catalyst Subsidy Fund—a transformative initiative designed to fuel innovation, experimentation, and growth across the journalism ecosystem.

The Catalyst Subsidy Fund will provide subsidized consulting services to 20 news organizations through two distinct program tracks: a Growth Track and an Innovation Track. 

In the Growth Track, ten newsrooms will focus on strengthening their audience and revenue foundations. In the Innovation Track, another ten newsrooms will embark on the high-impact experiments that can drive learning and advancement across the entire sector. 

The Hub’s services have proven transformative for newsrooms of all kinds. Newsrooms working with the Hub typically see a 50% increase in reader revenue during their first year. An independent Knight Foundation analysis found that Hub clients grow their revenue by an average of 22% year-over-year. 

Applications Are Open!

Applications for both the Growth Track and the Innovation Track are due January 31, 2025. Review and submit an application here. Finalists will have at least one interview with the Hub, and admitted newsrooms will be notified in early February.

Program Details

Growth Track: Accessing the Hub’s Proven Consulting and Tech

The Growth Track removes cost barriers that often prevent emerging or under-resourced newsrooms from accessing the Hub’s proven consulting and technology services to grow audience and/or reader revenue. 

Overview

• Selected newsrooms will be invited to join the Hub for at least one full year of subsidized Hub consulting and/or technology services related to audience or reader revenue growth.
• The Hub will help newsrooms find the right service for them during the application process based on shared funnel data and Hub benchmarking.
• Newsrooms are not required to implement the Hub’s technology stack to receive funding, but those that do may be prioritized.
• Newsrooms that want to apply for this program should be able to showcase in their application a commitment to a reader-revenue model; clear capacity for growth in audience or reader revenue; and establish a demonstrable need for financial support.

Innovation Track: Supporting Ambitious Experimentation

This track supports ambitious projects designed to test new ideas and share learning across the industry. 

Overview

• Newsrooms will apply to this program with ONE dedicated project in mind. 
• Accepted projects will be undertaken with the support of the Hub’s expert consulting team over a 6-12 month period. 

• Successful projects will be ambitious in scope and also scalable to a defined segment of the news industry.
• Projects should offer clear metrics for success and failure, with commitment to transparent reporting.
• Newsrooms will also show willingness to participate in public case studies, published by the News Revenue Hub

What Does a Successful Innovation Track Project Idea Look Like?

Applicants should submit a bold project that pushes the boundaries of sustainability, audience connection, and newsroom innovation. Successful proposals might test new revenue models, deepen community engagement, leverage AI, or explore emerging tools to enhance journalism and operations.

Examples include experimenting with dynamic paywalls or membership tiers informed by engagement data; launching multilingual or ambassador-led audience initiatives to reach underrepresented communities; piloting responsible AI for segmentation, fundraising, or workflow support; developing new digital products, podcasts, or interactive formats that strengthen loyalty; or creating open-source frameworks and case studies other newsrooms can adapt.

Your project should aim to generate actionable learning for the wider industry — proving what works, what doesn’t, and how innovation can drive a more sustainable future for local news.

Subsidies & Participation

The Catalyst Subsidy Fund is designed to make the Hub’s services accessible while ensuring participating newsrooms are fully invested in their work with the Hub. Newsrooms that are accepted to either program track should be prepared to pay a small portion of the cost, based on the scope of the project and support service, to ensure their commitment and success: 

• Newsrooms will contribute a minimum of 10% of the total service cost to ensure buy-in.  
  • For the Growth Track, average newsroom costs will be $4,000-$5,000 total for 12 months of service. 
  • For the Innovation Track, contributions will depend on the size and scope of the project. 
  • The Hub will provide cost estimates for either option before newsrooms need to make a commitment.
• Newsrooms will sign an agreement to participate fully in all consulting, implementation, and reporting activities.
• Newsrooms that disengage or withdraw early may forfeit the subsidy.
• Qualifying newsrooms are welcome to apply for both tracks. Please contact Evan Mackinder ([email protected]) if you plan to submit more than one application.

How to Apply

Newsrooms that seek to apply for either track can access the application form here.  Applications will remain open until January 31, 2026. 

Newsrooms will be guided within the application to apply for the Growth Track and/or the Innovation Track based on their goals and readiness.

Finalists should anticipate at least one interview with the Hub in late-January. Newsrooms that are admitted to the program will be notified in early-February. There will be more opportunities to apply: future application windows will likely open in mid-2026.

The Catalyst Subsidy Fund represents a new chapter in the Hub’s mission to strengthen the sustainability of journalism through collaboration, experimentation, and shared learning. By combining financial support with strategic consulting, the Hub aims to accelerate the industry’s progress toward a more resilient and innovative future.