Table Stakes

The Table Stakes Local News Transformation Program works with news organizations to tackle important challenges and manage continuous change. The program helps news businesses find a path to a sustainable future by teaching them how to change their practices, develop new products, reach new audiences and better engage their communities.

More than 200 news organizations nationwide have participated in Table Stakes. The process is applied across several versions of the program at universities and institutes, including API, the Poynter Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Arizona State University.

The American Press Institute managed the Major Market and Gannett-McClatchy programs and currently manages the subsequent sprint programming as well as the Table Stakes alumni network. API’s Table Stakes work is funded by The Knight-Lenfest Local News Transformation Fund.

API runs the Table Stakes Network for program alumni to offer additional training, funding, events and support. 

Who are Table Stakes alumni? An individual who either:

• Is an alumnus of a Table Stakes program (Major Market, Poynter, UNC, ASU, Gannett-McClatchy)
• Works at a news organization that completed one of the programs mentioned above (Not sure if your news organization is on the list? Check here) 
• A former or current coach for a Table Stakes program

If you fall under one of the categories, make sure to subscribe to the Table Stakes alumni newsletter to receive updates on upcoming opportunities.

Elections 2024: Developing products for voters and local audiences

Thursday, April 18 · 1 – 2pm EDT. Register here.

Table Stakes alumni are invited to join a set of virtual lightning talks from three news organizations who created news products to help their audiences make more informed decisions about local elections.

Journalists from LAist, Enlace Latino NC and Spotlight PA will share their learnings and how they’ve navigated the 2024 election year so far.

You’ll hear:

• Case studies of projects and interactive tools designed by news organizations for local and statewide elections in 2024
• Challenges and successes of creating “news you can use” content that can help voters navigate the electoral process
• “Ideas to steal” on how news teams can better cover local races, candidates and issues

Alumni Newsletter

If you want to be alerted when future alumni opportunities are announced, make sure to subscribe to the Table Stakes alumni newsletter.