On Oct. 28, the American Journalism Project announced $3.5 million in new support for three nonprofit news organizations: Cardinal News, Honolulu Civil Beat and the Nashville Banner. Here, we share more about how the Banner plans to strengthen local news in Middle Tennessee.
Launched in early 2024, the Nashville Banner has a clear mission: to become the newsroom of record for Middle Tennessee and Tennessee’s capital. In a state with one of the nation’s lowest voter turnout rates, the Banner aims to strengthen civic engagement so people can better understand and influence the systems that shape their lives.
The newsroom covers statewide and metro politics and policy, along with education, immigration, courts, criminal justice, and community journalism. The Banner reaches audiences through its website, newsletters, short-form video, podcasts, and community events, attracting 140,000 average monthly visitors and 10,000 newsletter subscribers.
Building on its early momentum, the Banner plans to grow its statehouse reporting and expand local coverage across the Nashville metro area and surrounding counties. New beats in health, housing and development, and climate and the environment will help broaden its scope. This approach aims to create what the Banner calls a civic loop: communities informing local coverage, and coverage helping people engage with the systems that shape their lives.
With new support from the American Journalism Project, the Banner will strengthen the business and operations foundation that supports its journalism. Its plans include adding roles in audience engagement, membership, corporate support, and operations to build the infrastructure needed for long-term sustainability. This investment will also help advance audience development strategies to reach more readers across Middle Tennessee.
Tennessee’s communities deserve access to trusted, independent local reporting that helps them participate in civic life. We’re proud to support the Banner as it builds on its early success, expands its reach, and continues showing how strong local journalism can help connect and inform communities across the region.
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