Supporting local newsrooms,
one story at a time.
Who We Are
The headlines don’t make for comfortable reading. By some estimates, two American newspapers are closing down every week. Those news organizations that survive have to do more with less. With fewer reporters and editors, it’s tougher to keep up with the news, much less allocate resources to in-depth features or investigative projects – what local communities really need. And the journalists, however enthusiastic or experienced, find themselves stretched ever thinner. There’s hardly even time to develop a strategy for surviving. We can help. We’re a team of former Wall Street Journal reporters and editors organized as Pro News Coaches, a nonprofit Delaware corporation.
What We Offer
As the news industry continues to shrink at an alarming rate, more U.S. communities are losing access to trusted regional news.
Pro News Coaches is a nonprofit founded by a team of former Wall Street Journal reporters and editors trained in the highest standards of journalism. We offer local newsrooms pro bono coaching, mentoring, editing, project planning and workshops to help expand and elevate their coverage.
PNC helps local journalists produce in-depth news on government, schools, healthcare, housing, business, crime, and the economy. We mentor reporters and editors as they strengthen their research and investigative skills, broaden public service coverage, and better serve their communities.
While our coaches and board members are all Journal alumni, PNC is not affiliated with the Wall Street Journal or its parent, News Corp.
Coaching & Mentoring
We can assist a local news organization’s staff on skills from interviewing and finding sources to research, fact-checking, clear writing and telling engaging stories.
Editing
Our experienced editors can review drafts of stories for accuracy, clarity and grammar, offering suggestions for cuts, revisions or rewrites. We suggest; you decide.
Project Assistance
We’re skilled at planning, reporting, writing and producing complex enterprise stories, the kinds that might require hours of research, reporting and interviewing. Our coaches can work with editors to formulate a project plan, or with reporters to pursue stories according to plan.
Workshops
Our pros — experienced former Wall Street Journal reporters and editors — can hold workshops for newsroom staff on how to strengthen coverage of existing beats, or brainstorming sessions about what areas of coverage to add to engage a local community.
How to Get Involved
Fund our work
We have projects underway at newsrooms across the country. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we need funding to expand our network and help protect and strengthen independent U.S. news coverage. Click here to help--all donations are tax-deductible to the extent indicated by federal and state laws.
Newsroom needs
We’re always looking for local news organizations whose needs align with our skills. Reach out by using the form below. One of our team members will get in touch to discuss how we can help your newsroom.
Pick up a pen
Are you a WSJ alum interested in helping PNC support independent newsrooms? Get in touch using the form below.
Testimonials
Get In Touch
Questions? Curious about PNC’s network? Interested in learning more? We’re listening:
