Press Forward Pennsylvania Wilds Launches to Rebuild Local News and Strengthen Civic Life Across Rural Communities
Centre County, PA — Centre Foundation has launched Press Forward Pennsylvania Wilds, a chapter of the national Press Forward movement, to address the decline of local news in rural Pennsylvania. Backed by a $1 million seed grant from the Knight Foundation, the initiative will invest in local journalism across nine counties in the Pennsylvania Wilds, where access to local news is increasingly at risk.
Press Forward PA Wilds seeks to reverse a loss of news through investments in community-driven journalism, collaborations, and long-term development. The goal is clear: to ensure that residents in the region, regardless of how rural or remote, have access to reliable, relevant, and trusted local news.
“We’re excited to welcome Joy Vincent-Killian as Director of Press Forward PA Wilds,” said Molly Kunkel, President and CEO of Centre Foundation. “Joy brings a dynamic, personable presence and a knack for insightful research, making her a natural leader for this important initiative.”
Vincent-Killian will lead the chapter’s work in fundraising, community engagement, and grantmaking, guiding efforts to build a vibrant local news ecosystem that reflects the voices and values of the region.
“Local journalism is the connective tissue of democracy. It informs, and unites us,” said Vincent-Killian. “In the PA Wilds, we’re building something that is deeply rooted. It’s an ecosystem where trusted information grows from within the community itself.”
As part of the national Press Forward movement, which now includes 45 local and state chapters across the country, the Pennsylvania Wilds chapter joins a growing coalition committed to revitalizing local news.
Press Forward PA Wilds stands out for its regional identity and its commitment to local action. The chapter serves a region that spans 8,600 square miles, 514,000, about a half million residents—a fragmented and under-resourced network of small local papers that has struggled to meet the local news and information needs of its communities.
Since launching, Joy Vincent-Killian has been engaged in listening to residents and building connections across the region. The chapter’s fundraising strategy is a $400,000 match designed to create an endowment for local journalism in the PA Wilds. Each year, $100,000 raised in new local support will unlock a $100,000 match from the Knight Foundation, providing sustained funding for news initiatives that support civic and community engagement.
Beyond fundraising, Press Forward PA Wilds has been active in convening with national partners and local leaders in journalism. The team has participated in learning sessions with other Press Forward chapters, met with the Knight Communities Network, and shared early progress with The Lenfest Institute for Journalism.
“This isn’t just about saving newspapers,” said Vincent-Killian. “It’s about creating a sustainable and equitable ecosystem where local news can thrive. We’re investing in rural journalism that reflects the real stories and needs of the people who live here.”
Get Involved: Help Us Raise $400,000 for Local News
Support the future of local journalism in the Pennsylvania Wilds. We’re on a mission to raise $400,000 in local matching funds to establish a permanent endowment for trusted, community-centered news. With your support, Press Forward PA Wilds will:
- Strengthen and sustain local newsrooms
- Fill critical gaps in journalism coverage across nine counties
- Support rural communities with access to reliable, relevant information
- Empower local voices and stories that matter
Supported by a $1 million grant from the Knight Foundation, this is your chance to double your impact and be part of a national movement to reinvigorate local news, starting right here at home.
Join us in building a stronger, better-informed Pennsylvania Wilds. Every dollar and every voice helps strengthen the future of rural news. Donate today to the PA Wilds Local News Fund [Click Here]
About Press Forward Pennsylvania Wilds
Press Forward PA Wilds is a regional chapter of the national Press Forward initiative, dedicated to revitalizing local news and strengthening civic life. Led by Centre Foundation and supported by the Knight Foundation, the initiative builds a sustainable rural journalism ecosystem in nine counties across the Pennsylvania Wilds.