Funding Journalism in 2026
Over the last 20 years, thousands of newsrooms have closed, and hundreds of thousands of journalists have lost their jobs. In the past, traditional newsrooms were the typical way for a journalist to get their coverage out to the world, but now the internet has made journalism more accessible. Independent journalism is on the rise, but many journalists are still struggling with a lack of funding.
Advertising used to be the main source of funding for journalism, but budgets are drying up every day. Nonprofit newsrooms are applying for grants while independent journalists are finding creative ways to fund their coverage. Whether it’s Substack, memberships, partnerships, or trying to qualify to monetize on social media, no single source seems to be sustainable for independent journalists.
Independent journalist Rachel J. Pilgrim has been a freelance writer since graduating from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism in 2020. She has bylines in The New York Times and The Root.
As an award-winning journalist, she’s experienced the ups and downs of independent journalism, including inconsistent pay, waiting at least 30 days to receive payment, and the lack of job security. Yet her independence has allowed Pilgrim to investigate, preserve, and amplify stories of Black resilience, healing, and tradition.
Pilgrim is the founder of Heal & Hear the Community, a multimedia company dedicated to Black storytelling and cultural preservation. Through her platform, she created I Am Well, a podcast that explores Black wellness traditions across the African diaspora. She is currently accepting media projects that involve research and expert sourcing, scriptwriting and development, and editorial consulting.
Aside from her journalism endeavors, Pilgrim opened her business The Land of Milk & Honey Apothecary, an herbal wellness company specializing in products and experiences designed to support mental and emotional well-being. The Land of Milk & Honey Apothecary started off as a side hustle that now assists with funding Pilgrim’s independent journalism.
The Land of Milk & Honey Apothecary
Pilgrim is a herbalist from Mount Vernon, New York, who blends traditional herbal knowledge with modern scientific research to support the nervous system. She was diagnosed with panic disorder and anxiety in 2021. During this time, she began utilizing plants to support her journey toward emotional well-being.
Through The Land of Milk & Honey Apothecary, she shares her passion for mental health advocacy and her vision of accessible, plant-based support for those seeking moments of calm, clarity, and renewal.
Across her journalism and wellness work, Pilgrim is interested in the same question: What knowledge, stories, and rituals have kept Black communities well, and how do we make sure they are not lost?
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Nyesha Stone founded Carvd N Stone in 2017 to cover positive news while attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Stone has a B.A. in Journalism. She has raised over $30,000 to award grants and scholarships. She has also been featured in ESSENCE and worked with the American Black Film Festival.
- Nyesha Stone
