Cowles Company to donate Spokesman-Review to nonprofit

The Cowles Company, owner of The Spokesman-Review, announced Tuesday it will explore transitioning the 132-year-old newspaper into a nonprofit organization in partnership with Comma Community Journalism Lab.

Under the agreement, Cowles will transfer the newspaper’s assets and provide a $2 million gift to Comma, contingent on the Spokane-based nonprofit raising a matching $2 million. The move is aimed at creating a sustainable model for local journalism by partnering with school districts, universities and nonprofit news organizations.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to create a new model for journalism that will sustain the newspaper and serve as an example for other communities,” said Cowles Company President and Spokesman-Review Publisher William “Stacey” Cowles.

Founded in 2022 by Spokesman-Review Executive Editor Rob Curley, Comma is a nonprofit designed to “incubate community-centered journalism, amplify diverse voices and share best practices with independent news organizations nationwide.” Comma received its 501(c)(3) designation in September 2024 and is based on the campus of Gonzaga University.

Cowles said financial pressures in the news industry contributed to the decision. 

“Big Tech has taken over retailing and retail advertising and aren’t yet forced to pay us for our headlines,” he said. “Newspapers are in a difficult transition with many older readers reluctant to give up print which has high fixed costs and many younger readers unwilling to pay for a digital subscription. We know this transition will take investment and this non-profit model more than doubles the resources to put systems and products in place to bridge the gap.”

The transition could take between three and 12 months, depending on fundraising progress and the establishment of accounting, benefits, and human resources infrastructure for Comma. 

Cowles, the great-grandson of founder William H. Cowles, said the family had mixed emotions about the transition. 

“But as stewards of this important community asset, we agree our first wish is to see the brand and the mission flourish for another century,” he said.

The Spokesman-Review provides some coverage of North Idaho. At one point it had an office in Coeur d'Alene.

Cowles Company was founded when W.H. Cowles consolidated ownership of The Spokesman and The Review, publishing the first edition of The Spokesman-Review on May 19, 1893.