Trust in institutions is a crucial foundation for a functioning society. When trust erodes, so does the fabric that holds communities together. In the United States, we are facing a crisis of trust in all levels of institutions, from government to media to business. This decline in trust is not inevitable, and it is something that we must address if we want to rebuild the promise of America.

One solution to rebuilding trust in institutions is to start at the local level. Local governments and organizations are often more connected to their communities and can build trust through direct engagement and transparency. When we start local, we see less division and more trust. This is the key to rebuilding the core parts of American society that make our promise possible.

In my journey from leading a 1,400-person bureaucracy in state government to joining the local news industry, I have seen firsthand the challenges and opportunities of local institutions. Bureaucracies have a reputation for being slow and resistant to change, but they also have the potential for innovation when faced with a crisis. Giving government the space to innovate and try new things is essential for building trust and creating stronger government infrastructure.

Similarly, local news plays a vital role in fostering trust and understanding within communities. However, the traditional model for funding journalism is under stress, and new approaches are needed to ensure the sustainability of local news organizations. Exploring models for taxpayer funding of journalism, such as tax incentives for news organizations or businesses, could be a way to support the important work of local journalism as a public good.

Ultimately, rebuilding trust in institutions requires a commitment to transparency, innovation, and community engagement at the local level. By starting local, we have the opportunity to strengthen the foundations of our society and reconnect to the promise of America. Trust may be in decline, but it is not irreparable. It is up to all of us to work together to rebuild trust and create a more equitable and just society for all. But until we put our faith in news organizations to be that kind of foundational source of information and do so by funding them to succeed, it’s going to be challenging for local news to survive. If we do value journalism as a civic good, if it’s a public good that we all agree is important for us to have, we must start treating it like one.

In Minnesota alone, we’ve lost two-thirds of the journalists in our state over the past ten years. That’s a trend line that is true almost everywhere in the country. Investing public dollars in journalism is not a new idea. It’s an idea that can make people scared, because they think, “Oh, well, that will influence the coverage.” There are models to ensure that it doesn’t. But I don’t know how you get the kind of journalism at scale that we need to understand the basic facts of what’s happening in our community unless we really reimagine the model for how it’s structured.

Most news organizations today need at least a nonprofit arm to be able to take in philanthropic donations. I’m bullish on the nonprofit model for news, so long as it’s run like a business. Nonprofits that start up just as nonprofits, unless they’re really fine-tuned in their business dynamics, can start to feel like charities pretty quickly. Instead, it should feel more like healthcare companies that are nonprofit. In those situations, you’re driving a strong balance sheet and managing profit and loss, but you happen to be a nonprofit in your tax status.

For news organizations, the benefit of moving to a nonprofit is clear in terms of the relationship to funding the mechanisms, whether it’s government or donations. The only thing you really lose at a basic level are things like the ability to do political endorsements. As we’ve seen over the past few years, that dynamic of news organizations’ role in our society is shifting rapidly and may be less valuable in today’s world than it once was.

I’m bullish on the nonprofit model. We’re for profit. As we look into the future, having nonprofit status may come with a lot more advantages than disadvantages, something that every news organization needs to take seriously.

Under you, the Star Tribune has stopped making election endorsements.

During the last political cycle, well before US Election Day in November 2024, we decided to pause on doing endorsements. We did that in part because we became a statewide news organization. Doing endorsements at a hyperlocal level across the entire state required a level of focus and resources that we weren’t ready to deploy.

Also, we weren’t sure that hearing from the Star Tribune editorial board on who you should vote for is as valuable a service in today’s environment than some other approaches.

We’ve leaned into individual voices in our opinion coverage more, and into turning to the audience to lift up viewpoints across the spectrum. It’s an experiment. We may go back to election endorsements. We’re not sure yet, and we’re still testing it.

But communicating that decision several months before the election, explaining to people why, and being honest about the fact that it was an experiment helped us. We’re trying to reimagine every aspect of what a news organization traditionally does. This is just one area where we felt like a new approach might be warranted.

So where is Steve Grove on the reinvention journey?

This book charts both the reinvention of this community I’ve chosen to call home here in Minnesota and also my own reinvention. My reinvention from tech to government was a big one. Plenty of people have their own reinvention stories. But the story really charts that experience for me and how that played into my own thinking on our state, our country, and myself. The personal reinvention I went through covered a whole bunch of terrain that is different from just the professional side.

For me, coming back home gave me a chance to reconnect with my family more deeply. I grew up in a very fundamentalist, sort of evangelical, religious household, which turned me off to matters of faith and religion. Coming back home allowed me to reconcile some of that with my parents and find my own church and spiritual journey that feels more meaningful. My relationship to my community, with my wife, with my kids, and how I want to be as a father has shifted. They’ve been both personal and professional reinventions, like many of us have.

The book ends with my reinvention story of leaving government to join the media and reimagine our local news organization here. It has been a lot of fun. It feels like it matters, and not just to me but to our community. Writing a memoir at the age of 47 takes a certain amount of belief that you have something worth saying. I certainly don’t think I have the wisdom of someone at the end of their career. I’m only partway through. But I felt like I had something to say about the power of going local that maybe our country uniquely needs to hear right now.

If this book lands, I hope it inspires people to try something different in their communities. In this country, we’ve been talking about people’s sense of place and community for a long time. The internet and social media and the field that I used to work in have contributed a lot to that sense of disconnection. As a country, we’ve known that we need something that feels more rooted in our physical community.

Part of my journey of moving to the Midwest and Minnesota has involved investing in the community right outside my front door. I hope my journey inspires other people to want to invest in their communities, to not lose hope that we somehow can’t connect with our neighbors and our friends or that, somehow, we’re polarized beyond all reconnection. I think there’s a lot of common good to be done in a local community.

The Power of Reinvention: A Journey of Community Investment and Public Service

If my book can help inspire others to make their own reinventions at whatever level makes sense for them, then I hope it’ll have been successful.

I felt lucky to have worked at Google, and that journey has been uniquely rewarding for me. But I don’t think the book is a prescription that that’s what everyone’s life should look like.

You don’t need to move to reinvest in your community. The book is about making wherever your chosen home is feel more like home, and investing in your neighbors, your friends, and your institutions. You don’t have to leave your job and join state government to do that. But maybe you spend time with the institutions that hold your community up and contribute to them. They’re worth your time.

I hope people read the book and don’t think, “Oh, I have to totally change my life completely.” Investing in some of these core institutions, whether it’s government, media, or local technology ecosystems, can have a real impact. And I hope this book gives folks the sense that the investment is worth it, in whatever small or big way they want to do that.

What’s next for you? Electoral politics?

I really enjoyed public service. I could see myself doing it again in some capacity in the future. But there is no secret plan with the book. For this chapter I’m in right now, I’m really enjoying The Minnesota Star Tribune and what we’re doing. It’s an awesome task. It’s not public service in the same tradition of being in appointed or elected office. But it does feel like public service in terms of the mission.

Watch the full interview

Strategic Analysis of Community Investment and Public Service

As we delve into the impact of community investment and public service, it is essential to understand the strategic implications of such actions. By investing in our communities, we not only strengthen the social fabric but also create a more sustainable and resilient environment for growth and development.

Market Trends and Organizational Impact

Market trends show a growing interest in corporate social responsibility and community engagement. Organizations that prioritize community investment often see a positive impact on their brand reputation and employee morale. By aligning with the values of their customers and employees, companies can create a competitive advantage in the market.

Actionable Recommendations

For individuals looking to make a difference in their communities, there are several actionable recommendations to consider. Start by identifying key institutions or organizations that play a vital role in your community and find ways to support them. This could include volunteering your time, donating resources, or advocating for change.

FAQ

Q: How can I get started with community investment?

A: Begin by researching local organizations and initiatives that align with your values and interests. Reach out to them to see how you can contribute your time and resources to make a positive impact.

Q: Do I need to leave my job to invest in my community?

A: Not at all. There are many ways to support your community while maintaining your current job. Look for opportunities to get involved outside of work hours, such as participating in community events or volunteering on weekends.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the journey of reinvention, community investment, and public service is a personal one that can take many forms. Whether you choose to make small changes in your daily life or pursue a career in public service, the impact of your actions can be profound. By investing in our communities and supporting the institutions that uphold them, we can create a more connected and vibrant society for all.