(Photo courtesy of FORJ)
From Survival to Sustainability:
The Oregon Opportunity
Join us for FORJ’s 4th Annual Journalism conference inviting publishers, editors, reporters, philanthropists, strategists, and academics on July 29 and 30 to the beautiful Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Oregon.
This conference has become the state’s leading independent and emerging journalism convening—uniting the community, providing trainings and offering access to new funding sources and strategies.
This year, we’re pleased to host representatives from Press Forward, Rebuild Local News, Associated Press, the Oregon Legislature and other impactful partners to help shape Oregon’s opportunity to grow and sustain independent journalism statewide.
Register Here
Don’t miss keynote speaker Charlie Brown
Local News As Civic Infrastructure
In this opening keynote, Charlie Brown will explore the powerful connection between healthy local news ecosystems and vibrant civic communities. Drawing on his work advancing civic engagement across Oregon and beyond, he’ll examine how journalism can help build trust, strengthen community relationships, and create the conditions for meaningful public participation.
Attendees will be challenged to think beyond traditional newsroom boundaries and consider how publishers, community leaders, philanthropy, and civic organizations can work together to ensure that local journalism remains an essential pillar of thriving communities.
Charlie Brown is a design strategy expert and pioneer in community engagement who has spent his career exploring the intersections of community, strategy, and social impact. As Executive Director of the Trust for Civic Life, Charlie works with the Trust’s funding partners to champion locally-led efforts that bring people together, strengthen civic participation, and build trust in communities across the country.
(Session description subject to refinement as keynote is finalized.)
Kick off the Conference at the Welcome Reception
Welcome Reception
5-7pm, Wednesday, July 29
Elevation on the COCC campus in Bend
Appetizers and hosted bar
Join fellow publishers, journalists, funders, community members and industry leaders for an evening of conversation and connection before the conference begins.
The reception will feature a first look at findings from the Oregon Independent Publishers Sustainability Report, a statewide assessment commissioned by FORJ and conducted by Adam Davis of NW Opinions.
Welcome Reception Tickets
Spend the night for $60
Affordable Lodging at the COCC Residence Hall
Wednesday and Thursday nights, July 29 and 30
Stay just a short stroll from the reception and conference in Wickiup Hall on the beautiful COCC campus for just $60 per night. Lodging is free for speakers and those who participated in the FORJ Independent News Survey earlier this year.
Fill Out the Lodging Requestion Form
Join these organizations at the Conference
Ameriprise Financial
Ashland News
Associated Press
BrightTools
Brownsville Times
Central Oregon Community College
Columbia Gorge News
Columbia Insight
Daily Yonder
Eugene Weekly
Fowler & Co
Frontier Oregon Nonprofit News
Herald and News
Highway 58 Herald
Illinois Valley News
KPOV
Latino Community Association
Lincoln County News Source
McKenzie River ReflectionsMethow Valley Examiner
Mixte Communications
Mt. Angel Publishing, Inc.
Newsberg
One Breath Initiative
Oregon Journalism Project
Oregon Public Information Partnership
Oregon State Senate
Our Oregon
Philomath News
Press Forward
Rebuild Local News
Reflective Edge Media, LLC
Source Weekly
Southern Oregon PBS
SriPonya Collective
Surf Analytics
The Brownsville Times
The Canyon Weekly / Our Town / Mt. Angel Publishing, Inc.
The Lund Report
The New Era
The Star News
The Times of the Central Willamette Valley
Tillamook County Pioneer
Times-Journal
Trust for Civic Life
University of Oregon-SOJC’s Agora Journalism Center
Visit Bend
Washington State University
Wave3 Advisors
West of the Tunnel
