‘The real work begins’: What happened after those LION Audits in Kansas

In August 2024, LION Publishers partnered with the Wichita Foundation to offer Sustainability Audits to four news businesses that had received Press Forward Wichita support. The effort was a pilot for LION to test our signature evaluation program in conjunction with another organization’s funding of local news efforts in that region. So, nearly a year later, what was the result of this work? We connected with the Wichita Foundation’s chief strategy officer, Courtney Bengtson, to learn more about the program from her perspective.

Chris: When LION asked if we could try our Audits with Press Forward Wichita grantees, why did you say ‘yes’?

Courtney: It was an easy “yes.” The idea of Audits for our partners aligned perfectly with our goal of supporting and strengthening local information access in Wichita. LION’s Sustainability Audits offered a structured, insightful way to help our partners assess and improve their operations. Given LION’s reputation and the success of their Audits nationwide, the Wichita Foundation team saw this as an invaluable opportunity to provide expert guidance and actionable strategies to our partners. It also gave us, as a funder, a clearer lens through which to make future funding decisions.

What’s happened since? How did the Audit help PFW’s grantees? What have you heard about its usefulness for the publishers you’re supporting?

Since implementing the Audits, our grantees have gained clarity on their operational strengths and areas for improvement. For instance, Landon Huslig of Wichita Life mentioned that the Audit provided his team with insights he wouldn’t have discovered on his own, helping him save time and avoid potential pitfalls. The Audits have equipped these organizations with tailored recommendations, fostering a roadmap toward long-term sustainability.

What did the Audits tell you about the news ecosystem in Wichita, and why is that helpful, as a funder?

The Audits revealed that while Wichita’s local news outlets are passionate and community-driven, like many others around the country, they often face challenges related to business operations and sustainability planning. This insight is invaluable for us as funders, as it highlights the areas where our support — both social and financial capital — can make the most impact. By understanding these specific needs, we can tailor future funding to address gaps and bolster the overall health of our local news ecosystem.

What’s the next step for these news organizations, in your opinion? How might another funder think about LION Audits and coaching as a benefit to organizations they’re supporting, or considering support for?

Now that the Audits are complete, the real work begins. Our partners are using what they’ve learned to make smarter decisions, prioritize what matters most, and take steps toward long-term sustainability. On our end, the Wichita Foundation and Press Forward Wichita teams are evaluating next steps in best supporting those efforts.

For other funders, the LION Audits are more than just a diagnostic — they’re a strategic tool. They help you understand where an organization is today and what kind of support could truly move the needle. It’s a thoughtful way to invest in the capacity and resilience of the local news organizations you’re supporting.

We’re interested in replicating this model in other communities by partnering with philanthropic and journalism support organizations to provide Sustainability Audits to non-LION members.

We recently launched the latest version of the Audit, which is now a streamlined, on-demand tool that enables publishers to assess their progress at any time and allows LION to offer this transformational product to more newsrooms. Like this pilot with the Wichita Foundation, we’re seeking to partner with community funders to provide similar ecosystem-wide views and inform their support.

If you’re interested in learning more about how the LION Sustainability Audit can help the news businesses you work with, please send a note to Andrew Rockway at andrewrockway@lionpublishers.com.