DEADLINE: American Journalism Project's Local News Incubator

The American Journalism Project, with support from the Google News Initiative, is launching a local news incubator. The program is intended to support entrepreneurs who want to explore launching a new nonprofit local news organization to serve their communities.

Individuals and small teams with ideas for new local news organizations can apply for this 18-month incubator, which will provide both startup capital and expert counsel. For this cohort, we will select up to four individuals or pairs. Founders will receive $400,000 to pursue their startup full time and receive support for researching, developing an editorial strategy to fill the local news and information needs they identify in a given market, fundraising, coalition-building and preparing to launch an organization.

We encourage those interested in applying to attend our upcoming information session on January 12 at 9 a.m. CT.

AJP will use its experience supporting grantees and launching nonprofit news startups to provide teams with a roadmap, coaching, and technical assistance to identify communities, understand information needs and the existing news ecosystem,  fundraise, set up organizational infrastructure (e.g. incorporation, insurance, board and governance, tax exemption status), and ultimately support the launch of a solution to meet community needs.

The deadline to apply for the cohort is February 15, 2023.