Back to CIMA

Alliance Matters builds on Chicago’s rich tradition of collaborative, community-driven storytelling. Alliance Matters is an editorial collaboration between Chicago Independent Media Alliance (CIMA) members focused on their audiences in Chicago’s diverse communities.

Photo Credit: Tafari Melisizwe

With support from the Field Foundation and insight from CIMA newsrooms and organizations, this initiative is designed to elevate the role of independent media in informing, engaging, and empowering our city’s diverse communities while growing the pool of trained freelancers available.

The robust programming schedule includes print, podcasts, partnerships, news, arts, research, video, photography and more. Additional funding comes from the Leaders for a New Chicago Award to offer a maximum of fourteen $4,000 micro-grants, which includes $600 for a freelancer to work with the outlet as well as marketing and engagement.

This editorial campaign will follow the following schedule between the summer and fall of 2025:

JULY

Participants and project themes are selected and announced.

SEPTEMBER

Project plans and descriptions are shared.

AUGUST

Stories, content or events are shared and made available to the public.

NOVEMBER

Continued promotion of campaign materials and stories.

OCTOBER

Full project reports are available, including performance metrics

This first pilot's theme is “Temperature Check” on the health of your community, and participants have the flexibility to determine the activities, events, and content, and how they align with the theme.