What is the purpose of the Falls Church News Foundation?

The Falls Church News Foundation exists to strengthen and sustain local journalism in Falls Church. We support this mission in several ways, including mentoring student journalists, commissioning and producing local reporting for publication by partner news outlets, and providing grants to existing Falls Church publications.

While many of these efforts depend on successful fundraising, our commitment is clear: to build the capacity, quality, and future of local journalism serving the Falls Church community.

Where does your funding come from? 

As a startup organization, the Falls Church News Foundation is initially funded by small donations from friends, colleagues, and community members who want to help launch and sustain local journalism. You can support this work by donating here.

 As the Foundation grows, we plan to apply for foundation grants and seek support from the local business community. All grants and corporate contributions will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and a Journalism Advisory Board to ensure a clear firewall between funding and editorial decision-making.

Can I subscribe to articles from the Falls Church News Foundation?

Yes! Just submit your contact information here. All articles commissioned by the Foundation will be posted on the Foundation’s website.

How can you guarantee journalistic independence if you are fundraising from within the community? 

Ethical questions are a reality in all forms of journalism. Many news organizations accept advertising or sponsorships from businesses and individuals they also cover. Foundation addresses this challenge through transparency and clear editorial safeguards.

The Foundation will be open about its funding sources and will maintain a firm separation between fundraising and editorial decision-making. Donors will have no role in determining coverage, story selection, or editorial content. To further protect independence, a Journalism Advisory Board will be in place to advise the Foundation and its journalists if potential conflicts of interest arise.

Our commitment is to journalistic integrity, fairness, and public trust. Community support strengthens local journalism—but it does not buy influence.

I found an error in a story you commissioned, how do I request a correction? 

Accuracy is a core value of the Falls Church News Foundation. Before publication, all stories are reviewed using a fact-check checklist to minimize errors. Still, mistakes can occur.

If you believe a story contains an error, please email us with the relevant details. We will review the issue promptly and, if a correction is warranted, update the story on our website as soon as practicable. A correction note will be added to the end of the article explaining the error and how it was corrected. We will also contact our publishing partners to request that they issue corresponding corrections.

What sorts of stories does FCNF cover?

The Foundation hopes to covers local news that matters to Falls Church, including local government, schools, neighborhoods, community events, sports, businesses, arts and culture, food, and housing.

Our priorities will be guided by what Falls Church residents say they care about most through community listening sessions, and we always welcome story tips and suggestions from the community. If you have an idea or suggestion for a story, let us know by sending us an email here.

Who is behind the Falls Church News Foundation? 

You can learn all about our board here.

Does the Falls Church News Foundation make endorsements or get involved in local politics? 

As a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, the Falls Church News Foundation does not make political endorsements—and, candidly, we would not want to.

We believe our role is not to tell readers what to think, but to give them the information they need to decide for themselves. In local races especially, deeply reported, fair, and accessible profiles of candidates provide far greater value than endorsements. Thoughtful journalism that examines candidates’ backgrounds, priorities, and records empowers voters to make informed choices when they head to the polls.

Our commitment is to rigorous reporting, editorial independence, and public trust—principles that are best served by informing the community, not advocating for particular outcomes.

How can I get involved?

There are so many ways! Send us story ideas, attend a community listening session, volunteer to mentor young journalists or simply read our work. Of course, because this is a community funded journalism nonprofit, we will gladly accept your donations and would be thrilled if you could spread the word to your friends and neighbors. Do you have a book club or neighborhood group we could come speak to? We would be happy to share our passion with you and your friends. You can let us know you about your interests and abilities by sending an email or filling out this form to provide more details.