Contact: Kristin Cordingley, [email protected]
HELENA, Mont. — Ten years ago, at a time when traditional newspapers were shrinking and experienced reporters were losing their jobs, John S. Adams believed Montanans would support independent, nonprofit journalism. It was that belief that inspired him to launch Montana Free Press with little money, no staff and no guarantee the experiment would succeed.
For the first year, he operated it largely out of the camper shell of a Ford F-150 pickup.
Today, Montana Free Press has grown from a one-person endeavor to a nationally recognized nonprofit news organization with a staff of 25 and a growing audience across Montana. Its award-winning reporting, innovative digital news products and commitment to public-service journalism have helped establish MTFP as a model for independent local news nationwide.
As Montana Free Press celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2026, Adams is preparing to usher in new leadership of the organization he founded.
Adams announced today that he plans to step down as CEO on June 1, 2027.
“For ten years, I’ve poured my heart and soul into building Montana Free Press, and I couldn’t be more proud of what this organization and its supporters have accomplished,” Adams said. “When I started this, I didn’t know whether we’d make it through the first year, let alone the first decade. I just knew Montana needed independent journalism, and I believed there were enough people who valued that work to help us build something that could last.”
Building a Montana institution
A longtime political and investigative reporter, Adams left his position as capital bureau chief of a major statewide daily newspaper in 2015 during a nationwide restructuring by the newspaper’s corporate owner.
Rather than walk away from journalism altogether, Adams set out to build a new model.
In February 2016, with the support of a small group of friends and advisers, Adams launched Montana Free Press as a nonprofit news organization dedicated to independent, nonpartisan reporting on the issues shaping Montana’s future.
With no major startup investor or established funding base, MTFP’s early years required significant personal sacrifices. Adams relied on small donations, the generosity of friends and income from odd jobs to keep the fledgling newsroom alive. For its first three years, Montana Free Press had just one employee: Adams.
“Starting MTFP was one of the most difficult and rewarding experiences of my life,” Adams said. “I endured many sleepless nights, a lot of financial uncertainty, and plenty of moments when I wondered if I’d bitten off more than I could chew. But there were also people who believed in what I was trying to do. They opened their homes, wrote checks, offered advice, published our stories and encouraged me to keep pushing. Without those folks, Montana Free Press wouldn’t exist.”
A decade of innovation and national recognition
Since 2016, Montana Free Press has built a reputation for rigorous accountability journalism, in-depth coverage of state government and public policy and reporting that helps Montanans understand the decisions and forces affecting their lives.
MTFP’s work has demonstrated what’s possible when a newsroom combines strong journalism with an innovative and sustainable business model.
In 2022, Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers honored Montana Free Press with its Business of the Year and Operational Resilience awards. MTFP also received LION’s Product of the Year award for its 2022 Election Guide.
The newsroom has continued to develop innovative tools and products that make government and elections more accessible to the public. Its nonpartisan Election Guide helps Montanans research candidates, understand ballot issues and find information about races in their districts. Its Capitol Tracker gives readers an accessible way to follow legislation, examine lawmakers’ voting records and understand what’s happening in the Montana Legislature.
MTFP’s founding story and Adams’ investigative reporting also featured prominently in the acclaimed documentary “Dark Money.” The 2018 film, which examined the influence of anonymous political spending on Montana elections, was shortlisted for the Oscars and earned a prestigious Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award.
Beyond Montana, Adams has become an advocate for independent local journalism nationwide, sharing lessons from MTFP’s growth with other nonprofit news organizations and helping advance efforts to build a more sustainable future for local news.
In September, LION Publishers named Adams its Community Member of the Year, recognizing his contributions to independent news entrepreneurs across the country. Among those contributions was his leadership in launching Local News Day, a national initiative that in its first year brought together more than 1,200 newsrooms to raise awareness of the importance of local journalism.
“One of the things I’m most proud of is that our work has extended beyond Montana,” Adams said. “We’ve learned a lot over the past ten years — often the hard way — and we’ve done our best to share those lessons with others who are working to rebuild local news in their communities. I believe deeply that independent journalism has a bright future, and I’m grateful we’ve been able to contribute to that movement.”
Built for today — and tomorrow
Adams said his decision to step down is rooted in the same belief that inspired him to launch Montana Free Press: strong journalism requires strong, sustainable institutions.
“From the beginning, my goal was to build an organization that would outlast me,” Adams said. “I always intended for Montana Free Press to serve this state for generations. Inevitably, that requires new leadership, fresh perspectives and bold ideas.”
Adams said he’s considered this transition for several years and believes MTFP is approaching a pivotal moment in its growth.
“We’ve spent the past decade proving Montana can support an independent, nonprofit newsroom,” he said. “The challenge ahead is about building on that success. That work will benefit from a new leader who can bring a fresh energy and a long-term vision to the next stage of MTFP’s growth.”
MTFP’s board shares that confidence.
“We recognize that selecting MTFP’s next CEO is one of the board’s most important responsibilities,” said MTFP Vice Chair Anne Avis.
Avis, who chairs the search committee, said the board’s first step will be to seek input from key MTFP stakeholders across the organization and the broader community to gather perspectives about what MTFP needs from its next leader.
“We’re fortunate so many people are passionately invested in MTFP’s future and are eager to help guide us at this moment of transition,” Avis said.
MTFP board Chair Skylar Browning said the board views the transition as an opportunity to build on a strong foundation.
“Healthy organizations evolve, and successful founders know that leadership transitions are part of building something that lasts,” Browning said. “The board is incredibly grateful to John for his decade of leadership and for making Montana Free Press not only the leading independent news organization in the state, but also a national model. That track record puts us in an ideal position to make this transition now.”
Avis and Browning said the board’s goal is to hire MTFP’s next CEO by May 2027. Adams will continue leading the organization during the search and will work closely with the board, staff and incoming CEO to ensure a smooth transition.
Looking ahead
As Adams prepares for his final months as CEO, he said he hopes the organization’s 10-year anniversary and leadership transition will be an opportunity to celebrate not only MTFP’s achievements but also the people who made them possible.
“The success we’ve had belongs to a lot of people,” Adams said. “We owe our success to the journalists and the business staff who show up every day to do difficult, important work. Our success belongs to the board members who believe in this mission, the donors who invest in it, and the readers who trust us to help them understand their state.
“Ten years ago, Montana Free Press was barely more than an idea, a laptop and a pickup,” Adams continued. “Today, it’s an organization with an extraordinary team and a bright future that extends far beyond the tenure of its founder. I think that’s worth celebrating, and it’s why I feel so confident in what lies ahead.”
Adams’ plans following the transition are still being developed. Montana Free Press will share updates as the national search for a new CEO progresses.
About Montana Free Press
Founded in 2016, Montana Free Press is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization dedicated to producing in-depth public-service journalism for Montana. Through investigative reporting, state and local news coverage, and innovative digital tools, MTFP helps Montanans understand the issues and decisions shaping their state. Supported by readers, donors and philanthropic partners, MTFP is committed to providing accurate, accessible journalism that strengthens civic life and holds powerful institutions accountable.