Funding from Comcast, the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Wyncote Foundation Supports Expanded Local Journalism Focus on Economic Opportunity in the Philadelphia Region
The Philadelphia Journalism Collaborative (PJC), now housed at Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication’s Center for Community-Engaged Media (CCEM), will launch a yearlong reporting initiative focused on economic mobility in Philadelphia. The project is supported by grants from Comcast, the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, the Wyncote Foundation and John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
“The Lenfest Institute is deeply dedicated to collaborative journalism efforts that support Philadelphia’s rich tapestry of communities and diverse array of local news media,” said Jim Friedlich, CEO and Executive Director of the Lenfest Institute for Journalism. “We are pleased to partner with the Philadelphia Journalism Collaborative, the Local Media Association, Comcast, Knight, Wyncote and Klein College at Temple University on coverage of the vital drivers of economic mobility.”
The initiative builds on the PJC’s signature project, Broke In Philly, which focused on providing solutions-oriented reporting on poverty and economic mobility in Philadelphia.
“Our city continues to struggle with helping younger generations surpass the economic status of their parents,” said Letrell Deshan Crittenden, director of the CCEM. “Through this initiative, we hope to examine what success looks like and deliver reporting that combines data with lived experiences to elevate actionable solutions.”
The PJC’s 30 local partner newsrooms will use solutions journalism to tell community-informed stories that highlight pathways to economic mobility and inform public policy in Philadelphia. These stories will center on Philadelphians who have achieved upward mobility and will be validated by data sources like Opportunity Insights, a Harvard-based research organization.
“Local journalism plays a vital role in helping communities understand and address the barriers to economic opportunity,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP and Chief Impact & Inclusion Officer, Comcast Corporation & President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation. “We’re proud to support the Philadelphia Journalism Collaborative and its partners as they use data-driven storytelling to spotlight real solutions and elevate the voices of those working to build a better future for all Philadelphians.”
This local initiative is part of the 2025-2026 Economic Opportunity Lab, a national journalism effort led by the Local Media Association (LMA) and Comcast under Project UP, the company’s $1 billion initiative to create digital opportunity and advance economic mobility. The Lab includes 19 newsrooms in five markets that will leverage data from Opportunity Insights to produce original, in-depth multimedia news stories that examine how geography, policy and systemic factors shape individuals’ access to economic mobility and opportunity.
“Temple University’s founding mission was about economic mobility, so we embrace this—our first major project since taking in the Philadelphia Journalism Collaborative—with enthusiasm,” said David Boardman, Temple University’s interim provost and the dean of the Klein College. “We are enormously grateful to Comcast, Wyncote, the Knight Foundation and the Lenfest Institute for supporting it.”
About the Philadelphia Journalism Collaborative
The PJC recently joined the Center for Community-Engaged Media in the Klein College of Media and Communication. It is a partnership of over 30 local newsrooms focusing on issues that affect the daily lives of Philadelphia residents. It is committed to maximizing access to news and information for all, providing coverage of the most critical issues impacting communities through collaborative reporting and understanding the information needs of communities across Philadelphia to produce relevant and impactful stories.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business and Sky; produce, distribute and stream leading entertainment, sports and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences.