Alliance Matters
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.
Photo Credit: Tafari Melisizwe
This editorial campaign will follow the following schedule between the summer and fall of 2025:
JULY
SEPTEMBER
Participants and project themes are selected and announced.
AUGUST
NOVEMBER
Project plans and descriptions are shared.
Stories, content or events are shared and made available to the public.
OCTOBER
Continued promotion of campaign materials and stories.
Full project reports are available, including performance metrics