A substantial financial injection of more than $30 million in donations will enable the AP Fund for Journalism to dramatically widen the reach of its programme that supplies essential news material to state and local nonprofit newsrooms, the organisation confirmed on Thursday, 20 November 2025.
A Lifeline for Local News Outlets
Launched just last year, the initiative currently supports close to 50 news organisations, such as Outlier Media in Michigan, Mountain State Spotlight in West Virginia, and Daily Digger in Vermont. It has specifically targeted regions suffering from a dearth of local news coverage, a direct consequence of the sector's severe financial challenges over the past twenty years.
Rachel White, the fund's CEO, stated that the programme is instrumental in helping to "rebuild some of what has been lost over time." The significant funding is led by a $25 million commitment from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, with further substantial contributions from Lilly Endowment Inc. and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Ambitious Expansion Plans Unveiled
This new capital will fuel an ambitious growth strategy. The fund aims to extend its support to a total of 100 state and local newsrooms by the conclusion of 2026. Looking further ahead, the goal is to support an impressive 300 news organisations by 2028.
Through this vital programme, participating local news sites gain access to Associated Press stories, photographs, and data. This provides them with raw material that would typically be beyond their financial means, freeing up their own staff to concentrate on producing original, community-focused journalism.
Beyond Content: Strategic Support for Newsrooms
The fund's assistance goes beyond merely providing content. It also offers expert advice on how to find compelling local angles within broader national stories and shares tips on upcoming AP coverage, enabling these smaller outlets to plan their own reporting more effectively.
Reflecting on the programme's first year of operation, Rachel White highlighted its positive impact, noting that participating newsrooms have successfully grown their audiences and fostered greater reader engagement.
