The Local is looking for a new board member. We’re an award-winning Toronto online magazine that takes a data-driven yet authentically human approach to storytelling on pressing urban health and social issues in the city. Founded in 2019 as a not-for-profit organization, we evolved from a hyper-local storytelling project at UHN OpenLab.

Our mission is to uncover and report on issues that matter most to Toronto’s diverse communities — from poverty and homelessness to mental health, aging, and food insecurity. We blend human-interest stories with data journalism, and we’ve earned significant recognition including three National Magazine Awards, the General Excellence in Digital Publishing prize for three consecutive years, and the Press Freedom Award.

We’re committed to building a board that reflects Toronto in all its diversity. We actively seek voices from all races, gender expressions, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Whether or not you have previous board experience, if you believe in our mission of accessible, impactful journalism, we want to hear from you.

As a maturing publication, we’re looking for board members who can help make our organization more robust and sustainable. While the board focuses on organizational governance and fiscal oversight (such as deliberating over decisions, reviewing plans and budgets, etc.), we’re particularly interested in people whose skills and experience can contribute to projects that strengthen our organizational foundation. It’s important to note that board members don’t influence editorial decisions or content — this independence is central to our mission.

As we work to build a stronger organization, we’re particularly interested in connecting with people who have experience in:

• Legal and regulatory matters, especially non-profit law
• Promotion and publishing
• Fundraising, particularly planned giving and major gifts

This doesn’t mean that we’re not interested in other valuable skills and experience, which includes: Strategic planning; Risk management; Community relations; Marketing and public relations; Event planning; Human resources; Financial expertise; Grant writing; Governance; Sponsorships; and, Individual donor relations.

Time Commitment and Working Style

Our board works informally but professionally. We meet four to five times a year, and board members serve for 2-3 years. Beyond board meetings, members are encouraged to contribute to special working groups and projects based on their skills and interests.

Board Experience, Not Entirely Needed

Don’t worry if you haven’t served on a board before – we’re more interested in people who believe in The Local’s mission and want to help build a sustainable future for independent local journalism. You don’t need to know Robert’s Rules of Order; you just need to bring your expertise, enthusiasm, and commitment to our organization.

New board members receive support through:

• Mentorship from current board members
• Access to board orientation resources
• Opportunities to learn about our operations and impact

If you’re interested, please tell us:

• A bit about yourself
• Why you’d like to join our board
• How you think you could contribute

We’ll review all expressions of interest and follow up if we see a potential fit.

Please submit your expression of interest by March 21, 2025 using the form below.

Our aim is to have a short-list of potential board members by April 30, 2025.

Questions? Contact bod@thelocal.ca

Click here to apply.