Project Optimist

Project Optimist produces news to serve greater Minnesotans in this historic moment. It's a moment of division and change -- for journalism and the world. 

We know that many people tune out the news because it's depressing, frustrating, or angering. 

Project Optimist takes a different approach. We focus on solutions.

We tell stories with YOU in mind. Stories that feature art, local problems solvers, and community innovation. We host conversation events in greater Minnesota to build community across divides. 

Join us and be part of the solution. 

$30 trains a volunteer to moderate a community dialogue.

$50 pays for an original illustration for a story.

$200 covers fact-checking on an original story.

About our journalism

Our articles are independently produced and fact-checked. For each of our original news stories, we go sentence by sentence, sometimes word by word, and check the sources behind our information. This raises the bar for all news outlets. Readers deserve facts that have been double checked. 

We specialize in solutions journalism. That's rigorous and evidence-based reporting on responses to problems. Not just coverage of problems. We also publish explanatory stories, Q&As, and art features. We focus on environmental, business, and social issues. 

About our art

We work with Minnesota artists to feature their work and to commission illustrations that bring our stories to life. 

Design is important to us. We want you to feel inspired when you see our content.

*We have special 4X6 art prints to share with donors who give $25 or more in November and December.* 

About our events

We have a conversation program to bring people together over tough topics. Shades of Purple: Dialogue across difference is a series of events to connect people with different backgrounds through personal stories and close listening. It's a unique and special experience to listen and be heard, especially with people you disagree with. 

Our world needs Project Optimist

You may have noticed that Minnesota lost about a quarter of its newspapers in the last two decades. The number of people in journalism jobs in the state has declined 70%. That's fewer people reporting local news. And local news helps build community, features good news, and sheds light on important problems. 

Project Optimist is working to create a future for journalism directed by you and the rest of our community. 

All of us need information, and we need community cohesion to take on the big challenges of the day. 

Join us with a donation and be a problem solver. 

We need to raise $10,000 before the end of the year to report and publish five solutions stories. 

Your gift, of any size, will help us reach that goal.

And it will make you part of the solution.