Solutions Journalism Revenue Accelerators
Program Years: 2025-26
In 2025 and 2026, Solutions Journalism Network (SJN) and Blue Engine Collaborative are supporting 40 U.S. news organizations in hands-on accelerator programs designed to tie solutions journalism to sustainable revenue streams.
Each of the four accelerators will include eight to 12 U.S. news organizations and focus on a specific revenue stream, such as sponsorship, consumer revenue and philanthropy. By combining editorial excellence with revenue growth strategies, the accelerators aim to:
- Establish a direct connection between solutions journalism and increased community support through sponsorships, consumer revenue (subscriptions, membership and donations), and philanthropy (major individual gifts and grants);
- Strengthen newsrooms' capacity to generate and sustain solutions journalism coverage alongside effective revenue strategies;
- Foster cross-functional collaboration to embed editorial and revenue innovation into long-term practices.
Each accelerator focuses on actionable outcomes, with participants sharing insights within their cohort and the broader journalism community.
To express interest (and get notified) about future accelerators, go here.
Meet the newsrooms in the first Solutions Journalism Revenue Accelerator
Eight newsrooms are building their solutions journalism skills and translating that into newsroom sponsorships.
The first and second accelerators are focusing on attracting sponsorship revenue tied to solutions journalism. Participating newsrooms are developing bold, creative content ideas — such as series, packages, beats, events or newsletters — that align with their top editorial and financial priorities. Newsroom staff members are working with business colleagues to create specific sponsorship revenue opportunities to support the work.
In all four accelerators, participating news organizations are receiving the following:
- Nine months of support to build expertise in solutions journalism and revenue strategies;
- Coaching and training from SJN and Blue Engine experts;
- Promotion of participants’ work among our network of thousands of journalists around the world;
- The opportunity to apply for $10,000 in funding for solutions journalism and/or sponsorship efforts during the accelerator;
- The opportunity for staff to become certified solutions journalism trainers.
