HR & Finance Consulting, For-Profit News Providers (2027)

In 2027, LION Publishers will provide 1:1 HR and/or finance consulting to 40 for-profit newsrooms, solopreneurs, and creators. Participating newsrooms will complete a Sustainability Audit and receive consulting support from skilled professionals from one of two firms, DVCG or Big Change Consulting, to help strengthen their business and reduce operational risk.


This program is made possible through the generous support of a Press Forward Infrastructure grant. 


For our next round, we are working in partnership with other journalism support organizations like the Center for Community Media, the Institute for Independent Journalists, Project C, RJI, and Radically Rural to recruit participants for this program.


We are particularly interested in publishers who publish in Spanish and/or serve Spanish speaking communities, publishers located in rural communities and solopreneurs or creators who are running lean operations and want to strengthen their finances. 


Note: If you are a solopreneur or creator, we strongly encourage you to sign up for the finance track. This is the most relevant for solopreneurs and we are exploring strategies for sharing best practices for working with contractors for solopreneurs and creators in the finance track.


Eligibility Criteria: 

  • Participants must be structured as a for-profit business (e.g., LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp, B-Corp, Sole Proprietor).

  • Participants must have decision-making authority over finance or HR processes

  • Your organization must be based in the United States 

Program Requirements

  • Time Commitment: Dedicate an average of 1–3 hours per week from January through August 2027 to meet with consultants, provide requested materials, and review deliverables

  • Documentation: You must share relevant financial or HR documents with your assigned consultant in a timely manner so they can complete agreed-upon project work 

  • Audits: Complete a LION Sustainability Audit at the start of the program and a follow-up Audit one year later

Key Dates

  • October 30, 2026: Application deadline

  • November 13, 2026: Selected participants notified

  • December 11, 2026: Deadline to complete Sustainability Audit and consulting intake form

  • January 2027: Onboarding and consultant intake calls

  • February – August 2027: Core program delivery and consulting

  • August 30, 2027: Program wrap-up

If you have questions about this application and/or eligibility, please email Alma Washington, LION’s Coaching Manager (almawashington@lionpublishers.com).














Please select a preferred  track (HR or Finance) 

Finance Track Designed for publishers looking to improve financial systems. Consultants can help you:

  • Create and understand financial reports, such as Profit and Loss statements, to inform your business decisions 

  • Review your budget 

  • Review your Chart of Accounts and/or financial policies 

  • Help you set up and/or improve your use of accounting software 


  • Develop a simple cash flow forecasting model

  • Develop sustainable bookkeeping workflows, including a monthly close process 


*The final list of deliverables may be reduced based on the complexity of financial needs. Consultants will confirm the scope of work during onboarding.


HR Track: Designed for publishers looking to improve staff and contractor management. Consultants can help you:

  • Review or draft HR policies, job descriptions, and organizational charts

  • Review and/or create contractor agreement templates 

  • Review and/or edit job descriptions for W2 staff 

  • Review and/or edit offer letters or scope of work templates

  • Review and/or draft onboarding checklists 


*The final list of deliverables may be reduced based on the complexity of HR needs. Consultants will confirm the scope of work during onboarding.











Contact Information