Proximate Press is an independent media platform tracing the flow of resources and power through philanthropy, global development, and finance. Our journalism is built on the premise that effective solutions depend on proximity: the people closest to a problem should have agency over how it's solved. From there, we:
We focus on three coverage areas: Philanthropy, Aid & Development, and Solidarity Economies.
Our philanthropy coverage examines how the concept of philanthropy is shifting and evolving, and what those changes mean for who holds power, controls resources and makes decisions.
We are especially interested in efforts to bring people with lived experience closer to the decision-making process, as well as new ideas, institutions and approaches that are challenging how philanthropy has traditionally worked.
Representative Philanthropy stories:
Our aid and development coverage follows a global development system in flux. As bilaterals retreat, we report on the people, institutions and ideas rethinking how development gets funded, organized and carried out.
We are especially interested in community-led development and new approaches emerging from the Global South, and efforts to build a new set of norms that draw more heavily on local knowledge, leadership and institutions.
Representative Aid & Development stories:
There is no single economy. Around the world, communities are experimenting with different ways of investing, exchanging and sharing resources.
Our solidarity economies coverage explores models that put cooperation, participation and democratic control at the center of economic life – from community-controlled investment vehicles and cooperative ownership to mutual aid and other forms of solidarity economics.
Representative Solidarity Economies stories:
Our journalism is designed for leaders working across the social sector, including:
Proximate Press was founded in 2023 by journalists, practitioners, and movement leaders who believed the social sector needed new media infrastructure for a changing era. Today, our team brings together experienced editors, reporters, strategists, and subject-matter experts from across philanthropy, global development, social finance, and civil society. We work with a global network of contributing writers, editors, and advisors who are deeply embedded in the fields we cover.
Ada Williams Prince
Angelika Arutyunova
Ariel Chacur
Ben Wrobel
Eshban Kwesiga
Joana Ribeiro Mortari
Keefe Murren
Kevin McClendon
Lina Srivastava
Meg Massey
Pam Bailey
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Rodger Firmin
Sonia Sarkar
Umesh Mangroliya
Vincent Mwangi
Proximate Press operates as an independent media organization with full editorial control over our content. We do not allow financial sponsors to wield editorial influence, and we accept no direction from funders on what we cover or how we cover it. Our reporting reflects the judgment of our editors.
We accept philanthropic gifts, grants, and sponsorships to support our work. Financial support does not shape our coverage. Donors and sponsors do not receive editorial input, advance review, or preferential treatment in our independent journalism.
We also produce paid content developed in collaboration with partner organizations and proximate leaders, work that draws on a partner's expertise or perspective while remaining subject to our editorial standards. Collaborative content does not substitute for our independent reporting, and it is labeled for transparency.
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Reach out to pitch us a story or say hello at hello@proximate.press.
