The Wichita Community Foundation is taking a bold step to advance civic engagement in its community by announcing a new $1.1 million investment in The Wichita Beacon, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering community-based, public service journalism.

The grant marks the largest discretionary gift in the foundation’s history and is a landmark investment in advancing civic participation at a critical time.

“This investment is monumental because it goes to addressing gaps in media coverage,” said Rafael Garcia, education reporter for The Wichita Beacon. “We recognize that we are not a solution to all the problems or issues in the media landscape, but we’re a good step forward.”

The Wichita Beacon launched in June with three reporters. WCF’s grant will help expand the Wichita-based newsroom, starting with the addition of key leadership. In the coming weeks, the nonprofit news organization will announce an executive editor, to help build and lead the already growing newsroom. 

The News and Information Fund at WCF seeks to strengthen local coverage by supporting a mix of initiatives designed to help journalists engage community residents in the reporting process.

“By transforming the local news ecosystem as a whole, our diverse community can engage in quality content that is central to their lives and the health of our city,” said WCF Director of Strategic Initiatives Courtney Bengtson.