Two hundred and five small local news outlets, one in every U.S. state, including 18 in New England will receive a share of $20 million to close persistent coverage gaps in their communities, thanks to funding from Press Forward, the nationwide movement to strengthen communities by reinvigorating local news.
Motivated by the extraordinary quality and number of proposals, Press Forward is funding twice as many news organizations as it anticipated initially through its first open call. The recipients, the majority receiving $100,000 in general operating support, were selected from a total of 931 proposals from newsrooms with annual budgets of less than $1 million.
The grant recipients are a bright mosaic of independent, non-partisan sources reimagining what local news looks like across America.
The public can join in supporting local newsrooms across the country by donating to the Press Forward Pooled Fund. Every dollar, up to $5 million, will be matched to support local newsrooms across the U.S. Learn more at pressforward.news/grantees or through the list below of New England publications that were selected.
Connecticut
Easton Courier Community Journalism Project
The Easton Courier Community Journalism Project provides high-quality local news coverage that builds trust and credibility within communities through timely, accurate, and substantive coverage of local politics, education, culture, and events. It is committed to educating and training the next generation of ethical journalists.
The Hartford Times
The Hartford Times provides historically underrepresented voices access to democracy while promoting community-driven narratives and multigenerational solutions. Its goal is to improve Connecticut’s access to information and connectivity to provide its communities with consistent solutions, inspiration, and purpose.
Maine
Amjambo Africa
Amjambo Africa educates its readers in Maine about Africa and immigration, advocating for the well-being of all immigrants through various multimedia platforms and events and raising awareness about the scope of the conflicts in Africa and why refugees and asylum seekers have left their countries in such numbers to come to Maine.
The Maine Monitor
The Maine Monitor delivers fearless, independent, citizen-supported, nonpartisan journalism that informs Mainers about the issues impacting their state and inspires them to take action. Through investigative and in-depth stories, it engages readers to participate and connect to create a better Maine.
Midcoast Villager (Belfast Villager)
Midcoast Villager (Belfast Villager) tells the story of Midcoast Maine, igniting conversations, sparking discovery, and bringing the community together to help make it a better place for everyone.
Midcoast Villager (Rockland Villager)
Midcoast Villager (Rockland Villager) tells the story of Midcoast Maine, igniting conversations, sparking discovery, and bringing the community together to help make it a better place for everyone.
Penobscot Bay Press
Penobscot Bay Press provides information products and services to the communities it serves with news of governmental, civic, business, and educational institutions; coverage of social doings and in-depth looks at individuals and events; notifications of meetings and happenings; and opinions of staff and others on the important issues and problems facing its communities.
Sunlight Media Collective
Sunlight Media Collective is an organization of Indigenous and non-Indigenous media makers and activists, including Wabanaki citizens, working to document and present stories affecting Wabanaki people and highlighting Wabanaki perspectives, with a particular emphasis on the intersection between environmental issues and Indigenous rights.
Massachusetts
Anchor Media, LLC
Anchor Media helps residents in Hingham, Mass., stay informed through hyperlocal journalism in order to create a more aware and connected community.
Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism
The Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism (BINJ) supports the development and production of independent news reporting in Massachusetts. BINJ provides organizational support to community publications, runs reporting collaborations and civic engagement initiatives, trains new and early-career journalists, and produces bold, independent journalism.
The Boston Korea
The Boston Korea serves the Korean American community in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Since its establishment in 2005, it has been a pivotal source of news and information, dedicated to addressing the needs and interests of this community.
Dorchester Reporter
Dorchester Reporter is a family-owned and operated community news organization committed to delivering high-quality journalism to the people of Boston’s neighborhoods with a focus on traditionally underserved communities in Dorchester and Mattapan since 1983.
El Planeta
El Planeta empowers, informs, and connects the vibrant Hispanic community of Greater Boston. As the largest Spanish-language news provider in the state, it is dedicated to delivering timely, relevant, and impactful news and information. More than just a newspaper, El Planeta is a community advocate and a cultural bridge that enriches the lives of Hispanic individuals and families throughout Massachusetts.
The Scope
The Scope is a hyperlocal digital news organization focused on telling stories of justice, hope, and resilience in Greater Boston. It is editorially independent and operated by Northeastern University’s School of Journalism and Media Innovation to serve the news needs of under-covered communities, train the next generation of journalists in covering local news, and empower community members to tell their own stories.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Center for Public Interest Journalism
New Hampshire Center for Public Interest Journalism, publisher of INDepthNH.org. InDepthNH.org, gives a voice to marginalized people, places, and ideas, demonstrating its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by the stories and columns it publishes.
Rhode Island
ecoRI News
ecoRI News is dedicated to reporting on environmental and social justice issues in Rhode Island. Through its reporting, ecoRI creates a more informed public and provides individuals with the information they need to be better stewards of their environment.
The Providence Eye
The Providence Eye is a nonprofit journalistic initiative devoted to informing and empowering the public about events and issues of concern to residents and visitors of Providence, R.I., and its environs.
Vermont
Vermont Independent Media/The Commons
Vermont Independent Media is founded on the belief that independent journalism is critical for the functioning of democracy and is the lifeblood of the community.