LION Peer Groups Application 2026

This year, four LION members were selected as Community Ambassadors to lead in-person and virtual peer group conversations. After launching at the Independent News Sustainability Summit, each group will meet virtually monthly between October and December to discuss challenges for local publishers, celebrate wins and share resources. Apply by Friday, September 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

This year, LION members participating in these peer learning groups will also be encouraged to take LION’s on-demand Sustainability Audit. The Audit provides news business leaders with resources and benchmarks that can help inform peer group conversations. This information will also be analyzed by LION staff and shared back to the peer groups to provide them general insights into the business health of their organizations.

Eligibility

Both LION members and independent publishers in the United States and Canada are welcome to apply to join a group this year. Please do not add your name to a group that you are not affiliated with or identify with (i.e., please refrain from signing up for the Newsrooms Serving Rural Communities group if your newsroom’s audience isn’t primarily rural.)

If you have any questions about LION’s Community Ambassador program, email LION Community Manager Natalie Van Hoozer at natalievanhoozer@lionpublishers.com.

First Name

Last Name

Are you a LION member?

YesNoI'm not sureYou can check if you are an active LION member here. You’re welcome to apply if you are not a LION member, we are collecting this information for our internal records. If you think you’re a LION member but you’re not featured on our active member list, please email us at membership@lionpublishers.com

Are you based in the United States or Canada?

Yes - United StatesYes - CanadaNo (not eligible)Peer learning group participants must be LION members or independent publishers in the United States or Canada.

Organization Name

What’s your role with this organization?

Please describe your role:

Please indicate which peer group (or groups) you are interested in joining

Building sustainable newsrooms with lean teams

Will meet on the following Wednesdays:

October 14, at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET

November 18, at 1 p.m. PT / 4 p.m. ET

December 2, at 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET

Hispanic/Latino news leaders

Will meet on the following Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. PT/ 3:30 p.m. ET:

October 13, November 10, December 8

*Note: These group meetings will take place in Spanish

Publishers serving immigrant and minority communities

Will meet on the following Thursdays at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET:

October 15, November 12, December 10

Newsrooms serving rural communities

Will meet on the following Thursdays at 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET:

October 15, October 29, November 12

In one-two sentences, please tell us why you want to join this group and what you hope to learn from the experience.

Contact Information