Civic News Company, the nonprofit publisher of Chalkbeat, Votebeat, and Healthbeat, announced today that it has hired experienced nonprofit executive Jonathan Thornton as its new Chief Philanthropy Officer.
Thornton will oversee and build on the organization’s industry-leading fundraising efforts on behalf of local news and communities. Civic News Company brings in more than $10M each year from foundations and individual philanthropists, and has doubled its geographic footprint and impact in the last five years alone. In addition to founding and building Civic News Company, CEO Elizabeth Green both co-founded the venture philanthropy firm the American Journalism Project and helped to mobilize the joint funding effort that became Press Forward as the facilitator and publisher of The Roadmap for Local News and the Summit for Local News at Sunnylands.
Thornton joins Civic News Company after more than a decade of building and leading thriving philanthropy teams, including at one of the country’s largest healthcare non-profits, an early childhood education social enterprise, and a leading college completion program. At the education nonprofit College Track, Jon set a fundraising strategy that helped grow its revenue from $12M to $30M in just six years.
“Civic News Company and the communities we serve are very fortunate that Jon Thornton has joined the local news movement,” said Green. “He brings world-class fundraising skill, a deep commitment to the mission of informing communities, and the heart and hustle that make moonshots reality.”
“I am thrilled to join Civic News Company at a time when the organization’s work feels essential to the future of our country,” said Thornton. “I am inspired daily by the commitment of our journalists to deliver exceptional reporting on the issues that matter most and look forward to contributing. Game on.”
Civic News Company publishes three publications – Chalkbeat, Votebeat, and Healthbeat – which collectively operate 15 local bureaus across the country. Its journalism helps civic leaders, voters, and residents strengthen their communities by covering education, voting, and public health.