Even though nonprofit news organizations have been a vital part of our media for decades, in the last five years we’ve seen a rapid expansion in the noncommercial journalism sector. Coming at a moment of profound transition in the news business, these nonprofit startups are learning the ropes even as they are changing the rules. As such, they are constantly negotiating a complex set of tensions that push and pull them toward the future. They are trying to be nimble but sustainable, trying to push the envelope but not leave their communities behind, trying to burn brightly without burning out.

The blog post below is a growing collection of reflections from leaders at nonprofit journalism organizations about the three central tensions their organizations are facing. Some are new organizations just getting off the ground; others are longtime newsrooms. Some serve local communities; others are national in scope. Together they highlight the incredibly important and difficult work of reinventing the news so that it serves the public’s interest. Check back here for updates.