Project Optimist funding sources

Review our funding sources.

Project Optimist

Project Optimist will report all individuals and organizations who contribute $5,000 or more, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

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Find our policies on editorial independence, fundraising, donations, anonymous sources, corrections, and conflict of interest here.

Below is a list of organizations that contributed to Project Optimist with grant funding at or above $5,000, including the amount and year the support was received.

FY 2024

• McKnight Foundation, $100,000
• The Miami Foundation, $100,000
• Local Independent Online News Publishers, $20,000
• West Central Initiative, $10,000

FY 2023

• McKnight Foundation, $52,000
• Reynolds Journalism Institute, $50,000
• Arts Midwest, $15,000

FY 2022

• Reynolds Journalism Institute, $50,000
• Local Independent Online News Publishers, $10,000

Thank you!

We thank all the individuals and organizations that support Project Optimist!

Be part of the solution by giving online here. To give from a donor advised fund, contact Project Optimist Executive Director Nora Hertel at nora@projectoptimist.news.