When federal immigration agents began flooding the Twin Cities, local newsrooms scrambled to cover the unfolding events. A philanthropic coalition mobilized to support local news organizations within a week and raised $750,000 from both national and regional funders. This kind of speed is rare in philanthropy. The team managed to establish a rapid response fund for newsrooms and journalists, using existing relationships with newsrooms, community grantees, and the Minnesota Council on Foundations. The decision to house the fund at the statewide association of grantmakers had previous experience with rapid-response funding during the COVID-19 pandemic. The legal team was crucial in getting the fund off the ground and ensuring it could be used to defend and support the community. Funders can now begin building these relationships now, with discussions about needs that can be funded now.