Published on March 12, 2026
The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium has awarded two renewal grants supporting organizations that are strengthening local journalism and expanding media literacy education in New Jersey communities.
The grants will support continued reporting by Montclair Local and the expansion of youth journalism programming through Healthy NewsWorks.
“Renewal grants allow the Consortium to continue investing in projects that have demonstrated strong impact,” said Consortium Executive Director, Lisa Sahulka. “These organizations are helping ensure communities have access to reliable information while also building the next generation of informed residents.”
Montclair Local will receive $100,000 to continue supporting a senior reporter covering issues affecting Essex County residents, including public spending, housing development, environmental concerns, transportation, and public safety.
Founded in 2017 following the sale of the area’s long-standing weekly newspaper, Montclair Local has become the leading news source for Montclair’s 40,000 residents and attracts more than 85,000 monthly readers.
Since receiving Consortium support, the newsroom has published more than 500 stories, with some reaching more than 25,000 readers, and has added a new full-time reporter.
Healthy NewsWorks will receive $40,000 to continue expanding its youth media literacy program in Camden City schools.
The program works with elementary and middle school students to build media literacy and journalism skills while producing newspapers, magazines, videos, and digital content that inform their school communities.
Since launching in Camden, Healthy NewsWorks has reached 87 students across five classrooms in five schools, producing 60 student-written articles between May 2025 and January 2026. Student reporting is published in school newspapers and seasonal magazines and distributed in partnership with fellow Consortium grantee, HopeLoft, through Follow South Jersey.
Through investments like these, the Consortium continues its mission to strengthen the state’s civic information ecosystem and ensure New Jersey residents have access to trusted local news.
For more about the Consortium’s work or to explore past grantees, please visit www.njcivicinfo.org/grantees.
About the New Jersey Civic Information: The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium is the nation’s first publicly funded nonprofit dedicated to strengthening local news and civic engagement. As a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership, the Consortium provides start-up and early-stage funding to innovative media and civic information projects across the state. By investing in trustworthy journalism, community storytelling, and training programs for the next generation of media professionals, the Consortium empowers underserved communities and helps build a healthier, more informed democracy. Learn more at njcivicinfo.org.