Dedicated to trusted
What we do
Local news is at a turning point. We’re investing in its future.
Build
We incubate startup news organizations to address information and original reporting gaps in communities.
Grow
We invest in bold leaders building local news organizations positioned for growth, and help organizations expand sustainably and serve their communities.
Catalyze
We raise awareness about why local news is essential. We rally philanthropic, civic, and business leaders around strategies that advance local news in communities.
Why local news?
The quality and quantity of essential local news is collapsing as legacy newspapers fold and low-quality news and information floods local communities. The American Journalism Project is forging a future where local news not only thrives, but is built to last.
newspapers have closed since 2005
counties have only one remaining local news outlet
of newspaper jobs that existed in 2005 have been lost
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We’re reimagining local news as a public good – because strong communities depend on it.
Local news connects people to one another and to the issues that shape their lives. We’re supporting a new generation of local newsrooms built to strengthen and sustain communities.
Our impact
$160M
in revenue generated by our grantee portfolio in 2025
$53M
in collective revenue growth achieved by the 28 organizations that have completed their three-year grants
3.3X
growth in median portfolio member team size by the completion of their three-year grant
The newsrooms we directly support are independent, nonprofit news organizations that build trust in their communities and deepen civic participation in their communities. Explore this map to see where grantees are making an impact.
Portfolio spotlight
The newsrooms in our portfolio, like the communities they serve, are unique and resilient. Here’s one example:
Deep South Today
Deep South Today is a nonprofit network of local newsrooms that includes Mississippi Today, Verite News and The Current.
Learn moreDeep South Today’s impact
50,000
subscribers getting Deep South Today’s newsletters
$10M
in revenue generated in 2025
63
full-time employees
How Hoosiers came together to launch Free Press Indiana
In Indiana, it took a coalition of community members, including journalists, civic leaders, philanthropists and community leaders, working toward two shared goals: to build a trusted source of local news that authentically reflects Hoosiers and to develop a business model to sustain it. Here’s how they did it and the impact they’re having.
Latest updates
Updates from the AJP team and our portfolio newsrooms.
American Journalism Project and Google News Initiative renew partnership to support audience growth for local news organizations
The renewed partnership reflects a shared commitment to helping nonprofit local news organizations reach and serve more people.
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Grist’s Local News Initiative expands into Montana
Grist, Mountain Journal, and Montana Free Press have partnered with Report for America to hire journalist Ellis Juhlin to cover…
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In the news
The American Journalism Project has been featured in...