2muchcoffeeman
Well-Known Member
And another one, another one down
Another one bites the dust
The Landing, a nonprofit digital outlet, started publishing in June 2023 following a two-year study of the Houston media landscape by the American Journalism Project. It launched with more than $20 million in funding and aimed to provide accountability reporting and storytelling that reflected Houston's diversity. Despite rapidly growing a staff of more than 40, however, the Landing has had a rocky two years, weathering unpopular firings and the loss of significant funders.
"We are proud of the Landing's coverage of Greater Houston and continue to believe deeply in the need for more free, independent journalism in our region," board chair Ann B. Stern said in a statement on the Landing's website. "This decision was difficult but necessary. Houston Landing's reporting has made a meaningful impact in the community, but it struggled to find its long-term financial footing."
The Landing's announcement comes just months after one of its initial funders, Arnold Ventures, decided to stop donating money to the nonprofit. The Houston-based philanthropy founded by billionaires Laura and John Arnold had committed $4 million to the Landing over three years in 2022. But when the Landing asked them to renew their commitment — at one point believing they were set to receive an additional $850,000 grant — the philanthropy declined, Columbia Journalism Review reported.
The past few years have been difficult for news organizations across the country. Inflation and pullback from advertisers have led to mass layoffs and closures at dozens of outlets, including nonprofits. The Center for Public Integrity, for example, announced earlier this month it would shut down after difficulties fundraising led to a budget shortfall. Meanwhile, the National Trust for Local News, which brought groups of struggling papers in Maine, Colorado and Georgia under nonprofit control, is undergoing its own cutbacks.
The Landing, like many nonprofit startups, has struggled to develop a sustainable business model. It grew rapidly, deciding to invest from the start in its newsroom — a deviation from many other nonprofits that start small. But it failed to grow its revenue in a similar manner. Expenses exceeded revenue by $2 million last year, according to the Columbia Journalism Review.
the Landing's issues have extended beyond its financial struggles. From the start, it faced criticism for launching in an area that already had a legacy paper — The Houston Chronicle — as well as several other local outlets. The Landing and its funders have justified the startup's existence by stating that many residents do not feel adequately served by their local outlets.
Seven months after launching, the Landing fired founding editor-in-chief Mizanur Rahman and Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Alex Stuckey. The controversial decision immediately turned the Landing's staff against Bhatia, who argued that the firings were part of a necessary restructuring to make the Landing a "truly digital" outlet. The staff, however, openly denounced the decision and questioned Bhatia's reasoning.
Six weeks later, the staff unionized, citing "recent leadership decisions" that had caused concern about the company's "lack of transparency." The Landing voluntarily recognized the union, which is now bargaining a first contract.
https://www.poynter.org/business-work/2025/houston-landing-shuts-down-nonprofit-news-finances/
Another one bites the dust
The Landing, a nonprofit digital outlet, started publishing in June 2023 following a two-year study of the Houston media landscape by the American Journalism Project. It launched with more than $20 million in funding and aimed to provide accountability reporting and storytelling that reflected Houston's diversity. Despite rapidly growing a staff of more than 40, however, the Landing has had a rocky two years, weathering unpopular firings and the loss of significant funders.
"We are proud of the Landing's coverage of Greater Houston and continue to believe deeply in the need for more free, independent journalism in our region," board chair Ann B. Stern said in a statement on the Landing's website. "This decision was difficult but necessary. Houston Landing's reporting has made a meaningful impact in the community, but it struggled to find its long-term financial footing."
The Landing's announcement comes just months after one of its initial funders, Arnold Ventures, decided to stop donating money to the nonprofit. The Houston-based philanthropy founded by billionaires Laura and John Arnold had committed $4 million to the Landing over three years in 2022. But when the Landing asked them to renew their commitment — at one point believing they were set to receive an additional $850,000 grant — the philanthropy declined, Columbia Journalism Review reported.
The past few years have been difficult for news organizations across the country. Inflation and pullback from advertisers have led to mass layoffs and closures at dozens of outlets, including nonprofits. The Center for Public Integrity, for example, announced earlier this month it would shut down after difficulties fundraising led to a budget shortfall. Meanwhile, the National Trust for Local News, which brought groups of struggling papers in Maine, Colorado and Georgia under nonprofit control, is undergoing its own cutbacks.
The Landing, like many nonprofit startups, has struggled to develop a sustainable business model. It grew rapidly, deciding to invest from the start in its newsroom — a deviation from many other nonprofits that start small. But it failed to grow its revenue in a similar manner. Expenses exceeded revenue by $2 million last year, according to the Columbia Journalism Review.
the Landing's issues have extended beyond its financial struggles. From the start, it faced criticism for launching in an area that already had a legacy paper — The Houston Chronicle — as well as several other local outlets. The Landing and its funders have justified the startup's existence by stating that many residents do not feel adequately served by their local outlets.
Seven months after launching, the Landing fired founding editor-in-chief Mizanur Rahman and Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Alex Stuckey. The controversial decision immediately turned the Landing's staff against Bhatia, who argued that the firings were part of a necessary restructuring to make the Landing a "truly digital" outlet. The staff, however, openly denounced the decision and questioned Bhatia's reasoning.
Six weeks later, the staff unionized, citing "recent leadership decisions" that had caused concern about the company's "lack of transparency." The Landing voluntarily recognized the union, which is now bargaining a first contract.
https://www.poynter.org/business-work/2025/houston-landing-shuts-down-nonprofit-news-finances/
