After careful consideration from our Board of Directors and the organization’s executive team, we are announcing today that Resolve Philly is pursuing the first layoffs in its organizational history. This is a painful, but necessary, decision to ensure a greater chance at long-term sustainability of the critical and unique work of our organization. This action also recognizes the exceptionally challenging fundraising and revenue generating environment facing all nonprofits and the broader state of the journalism industry in which we operate.

There are hard lessons learned from this difficult decision which, I hope, can be helpful to other newsroom leaders, as well as to philanthropy and others who care about community-centered journalism. I plan to write more on this in the coming months. 

But for now, here is what I want to share: First, the layoffs – while agonizing – makes us a much more durable and resilient organization moving forward. This, combined with our upcoming strategic plan, allows us to find our right-sized place in the Philly news ecosystem and the broader movement of news organizations whose mission is to be of service to communities who have been long harmed by our industry.

Second, while our plan for moving forward was taken in concert with the board, I understand as executive director, I own the hard decisions that had to be made in helping the organization survive and thrive in the future.

Third, and the most important: the individuals who were laid off from Resolve today are exceptionally talented, sharp, capable, passionate, and kind people. Every single one. The lasting impact that Resolve has had in Philadelphia and across the country in merely six years is a direct result of their hard work and commitment. No one is being let go because they weren’t doing their job well. They are being let go because we had to make difficult decisions about which positions were essential for our work into the future. I can attest to every one of those leaving Resolve as being a supportive and excellent team member and will do whatever I can to support them in finding new professional opportunities in our industry. They will all have personal letters of reference from me for their job search and if any of you find yourselves in the fortunate place of considering hiring anyone from this group, please reach out so I can attest to their skills and attributes directly.

Today is, by far, the saddest day in the history of Resolve and I am so sorry to those who are being let go for the pain and challenge this causes.