Feb. 17, 2025 - Colorado Media Project (CMP) has named Kimberly Spencer as Director to lead efforts to strengthen the local news ecosystem in Colorado. A seasoned fundraiser and nonprofit leader, Spencer has helped newsrooms build financial sustainability through fundraising, executive leadership and relationship building.
"We're thrilled to welcome Spencer, a true innovator in media philanthropy," said Johanna Ulloa Giron, senior policy manager at The Colorado Trust. "Her track record in strategic fundraising and nonprofit leadership will be essential to our mission."
"We are excited to have someone like Kimberly, with strong Colorado roots but also such a broad understanding of the local news and media landscape nationally, step into the CMP leadership role," said Tom Gougeon, president of the Gates Family Foundation, a CMP funder partner. "She is more than ready to tackle the challenge of building a diverse ecosystem in Colorado that can meet the information needs of all types of communities."
Spencer's leadership comes at a critical time, as many of Colorado's trusted local newsrooms are still running on fumes — while disinformation and polarization fuel disengagement, apathy and distrust. Since its founding in 2018, CMP has strengthened Colorado’s collaborative local news ecosystem. As the home of the Colorado chapter of Press Forward and a funder of Colorado's Local News Public Policy Coalition, CMP works to ensure all Coloradans have access to trusted local news, a vision shared by journalists, publishers, funders and civic leaders statewide.
"Building on the lessons of the last six years of CMP's work, Colorado's local news ecosystem is ready for collaboration and investment at scale," said Sam Moody, CMP's Associate Director. "Kimberly's track record raising support for local news and civic information - combined with her hands-on experience helping newsrooms make the best strategic use of that support - will be a tremendous asset to Colorado's communities and journalists."
Previously, Spencer led fundraising initiatives for Capital B News and Chalkbeat and was the chief philanthropy officer at the Pivot Fund, an intermediary supporting diverse newsrooms. She has secured significant philanthropic investments and advanced sustainable revenue strategies.
Spencer shared her excitement about the new role, stating, "It's a pivotal time for local news in Colorado, and I'm honored to lead CMP," Spencer said. "A thriving democracy relies on access to trustworthy information. I look forward to working alongside news leaders, funders, and community leaders to support sustainable local news and keep Coloradans informed and engaged."
Spencer’s expertise and passion for supporting newsrooms that serve communities historically facing barriers to equitable news access align with CMP’s mission to advance equity in Colorado’s local news ecosystem through funding, advocacy, and research.
"Access to trusted information is power. Communities without reliable news and information are often excluded from decisions that shape their lives. Ensuring all Coloradans, especially those with limited access to quality news, have the information they need isn't just about journalism; it's about civic power and representation," Spencer says.
"Colorado Media Project is committed to an inclusive local news ecosystem that reflects and serves Colorado's diverse communities of color, non-English speaking residents, and rural residents," said Sarah Kurz, chief impact officer of Rose Community Foundation, which is the fiscal sponsor for CMP. "Kimberly's passion for ensuring newsrooms reflect the communities they serve will help elevate our work in that space."
Originally from rural Maine, Spencer moved to Colorado in 2000. She holds a bachelor's in strategic leadership for nonprofit organizations from Metropolitan State University of Denver. Spencer is a master's degree candidate in management and leadership at Western Governors University. She serves on the board of Open Vallejo and coaches for Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers. On weekends, she enjoys volunteering, spending time with family, and pursuing her passion for genealogy, with a focus on tracing Black family history. This passion comes with the challenge of navigating limited historical records.
About Colorado Media Project
Colorado Media Project is a nonpartisan philanthropic initiative housed at Rose Community Foundation, dedicated to fostering a free, independent, and sustainable local media ecosystem.
Colorado Media Project launched in 2018 as a community-led response to the decline in local news across the state. Since then, it has produced a wide body of media ecosystem research, helped establish the Colorado News Collaborative and catalyzed millions in philanthropic support.
CMP’s recent research includes an assessment of the most urgent challenges facing Colorado’s local newsrooms today, an ongoing initiative to map where Coloradans get their news and information, and a state-wide vision for a healthy local news and civic information ecosystem in Colorado.
CMP funding decisions are made by an executive committee of representatives from foundations that have made significant, multi-year commitments to the Colorado media ecosystem through CMP. The executive committee includes representatives from The Colorado Health Foundation, The Colorado Trust, The Democracy Fund, The Gates Family Foundation and The Rose Community Foundation.
CMP welcomes funders interested in shaping the future of local news in Colorado. To learn more or join the 2025 Funder Table, contact Kimberly at kimberly@coloradomediaproject.com.