American Journalism Project Civic News Organization Grants

Mission

The American Journalism Project is a venture philanthropy organization dedicated to supporting mission-driven nonprofit local news organizations and dynamic entrepreneurs. AJP provides transformational multi-year grants and venture support to build a sustainable ecosystem for civic journalism across the United States.

Geographic Scope

• National: Serves nonprofit news organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico
• Currently supports 22+ nonprofit news organizations in 20+ states

Focus Areas

• Nonprofit, nonpartisan independent local news organizations
• Civic journalism serving local communities
• Organizations addressing information gaps left by commercial newspaper decline
• Public media organizations producing original local journalism
• News organizations led by or serving communities of color
• Organizations demonstrating:
  • Strong, entrepreneurial leadership
  • Community buy-in and engagement
  • Commitment to sustainable business models
  • Original reporting and investigative journalism
  • Innovative revenue strategies
  • Multimedia and digital strategies
  • Service to traditionally underserved communities

Types of Support

• Multiyear grants to support organizational growth and sustainability
• Business and operational capacity building (revenue, technology, fundraising)
• Strategic advisory support over 24-36 months
• Movement-building to increase philanthropy for local news
• Technology, legal, and business services partnerships

Eligibility

• Nonprofit news organizations
• Independent and nonpartisan
• Serving local/regional communities
• Producing original civic journalism
• Demonstrating strong leadership and community commitment
• Focus on sustainability and growth potential

Funding Sources

• John S. and James L. Knight Foundation (lead funder)
• Arnold Ventures
• Emerson Collective
• Craig Newmark Philanthropies
• Democracy Fund
• Arthur Vining Davis Foundations
• Corporation for Public Broadcasting
• Lumina Foundation
• Rockefeller Brothers Fund
• News Corp
• Kaplen Brothers Fund
• Facebook Journalism Project
• Individual donors (Christopher Buck, Dr. Hara Schwartz, John and Erin Thornton)

Known Grantees (as of announcements through 2021)

2019 Initial Grants (11 organizations):

• Berkeleyside (East Bay, CA)
• Centro de Periodismo Investigativo (San Juan, PR)
• City Bureau (Chicago, IL)
• The Connecticut Mirror (Hartford, CT)
• inewsource (San Diego, CA)
• Mississippi Today (Ridgeland, MS)
• MLK50: Justice Through Journalism (Memphis, TN)
• NOISE (Omaha, NE)
• Underscore (Portland, OR)
• WyoFile (Lander, WY)
• VTDigger (Montpelier, VT)

2021 Additional Grantees:

• The Nevada Independent (Nevada)
• Outlier Media (Detroit, MI)
• Louisville Public Media (Louisville, KY)
• WFAE (Charlotte, NC)
• El Paso Matters (El Paso, TX)
• Mountain State Spotlight (Charleston, WV)
• Wisconsin Watch (Wisconsin)
• Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service (Milwaukee, WI)
• Montana Free Press (Montana)
• The Oaklandside (Oakland, CA)

Leadership

• CEO: Sarabeth Berman
• Co-founders: Elizabeth Green (CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Chalkbeat, Board Chair), John Thornton (Founder of The Texas Tribune)
• Founded: 2018

Additional Partnerships

• Racial Equity in Journalism Fund: Collaborative with Borealis Philanthropy
• Microsoft Journalism Initiative: Technology, legal, and business services for local news collaboratives
• Arthur Vining Davis Foundations: Designated funding for public media research and learning

Organization Details

• Address: 6218 Georgia Avenue NW, Suite 1-#599, Washington, DC 20011-5125
• EIN: 83-1772542
• Type: Nonpartisan venture philanthropy