States Newsroom Secures $700,000 in New Grants for Media Training and Statehouse Coverage
States Newsroom, the nation’s largest nonprofit news organization, has secured $700,000 across three new grants to fund specialized reporter training, expand political reporting on women, and bolster rural healthcare coverage, according to a recent funding announcement highlighted by development director Caitlin Sigal. The funding package contrasts with the organization’s broader operational scope of fully funding newsrooms in 39 states and operating or partnering in all 50 state capitals.
J.M. Kaplan Fund Grant Funds Vertical Video Training
Kaplan Fund awarded a $50,000 grant specifically to support a two-day, in-person new media training session for reporters. In October, approximately 20 reporters from state capitals across the country will gather in Washington, D.C., to learn vertical video production, expand their social media presence, and build relationships with community content creators.
Local News Hub Finances Women in Politics Reporting
The Local News Hub provided a $400,000 grant spanning two years to expand coverage of women in politics across five specific newsrooms: NC Newsline, Ohio Capital Journal, Oregon Capital Chronicle, Tennessee Lookout, and Utah News Dispatch. These outlets will track women candidates for local and state office during the upcoming midterm elections, focusing on unique career challenges and the community issues they champion.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Backs Rural Healthcare and Medicaid Coverage
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation contributed $250,000 to fund reporting on changes to Medicaid and SNAP benefits alongside the rollout of Rural Health Transformation program funds. This reporting will anchor three specific outlets: Idaho Capital Sun, Kentucky Lantern, and West Virginia Watch. Residents in these states face drastic adjustments to benefits, making consistent local coverage essential for getting healthcare.
Nonprofit Growth Across Statehouse Press Corps
Nonprofit outlets now command the largest share of the statehouse press corps in 10 states and the second largest in 17 states. Studies cited by States Newsroom show that the percentage of nonprofit statehouse reporters has more than tripled since 2014, filling critical coverage gaps left by legacy media staffing cuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who manages donations and funding inquiries at States Newsroom?
Caitlin Sigal serves as the development director for States Newsroom and handles donor relations. Interested donors can reach out directly via email at csigal@statesnewsroom.com.
How does States Newsroom maintain its editorial independence?
States Newsroom operates as an independent 501(c)(3) organization launched in 2019 and retains full editorial independence. Donors who contribute more than $1,000 are publicly identified on the organization’s website, but none of them influence news coverage.
How many full newsrooms does the organization operate?
States Newsroom fully funds newsrooms with individual websites in 39 states, ranging from the Alabama Reflector to the Wisconsin Examiner. It also maintains content-sharing agreements with 11 other leading nonprofit newsrooms like CalMatters and The Texas Tribune.
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