Published on September 18, 2024
09/18/2024 – The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium is pleased to announce that it has awarded a total of $410,000 in new grants to five local news projects that will enhance local journalism, civic engagement, and access to vital information in communities throughout New Jersey. These new grants will empower local organizations to address critical gaps in news coverage and provide residents with the information they need to actively participate in civic life.
The awarded projects span a diverse range of initiatives, from hyperlocal news outlets to investigative journalism and community-based information programs, reflecting the Consortium’s commitment to strengthening civic engagement and ensuring every New Jersey resident has access to reliable, timely information. Currently, 49% of all Consortium funded projects are BIPOC-led.
“In this particularly competitive round of funding, the Consortium committed to backing projects that complement the work of current grantees, strengthen the journalism pipeline, and empower hyperlocal newsrooms to expand their capacity to serve their communities,” said Ayinde Merrill, Program Officer of the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium. “With these grants we move closer to our goal of fostering a thriving and collaborative ecosystem for news and information in New Jersey.”
New Grants:
Grant Amount: $100,000
Project Overview: New Jersey Urban News is an online news platform dedicated to covering New Jersey’s vibrant African American community through informative stories and thorough coverage. NJUN will use this funding to hire a full-time editor and reporter, improving the depth and quality of local reporting for New Jersey’s urban communities. This initiative aims to address critical issues, amplify marginalized voices, and foster civic engagement by ensuring residents are well-informed and connected to local resources.
Grant Amount: $100,000
Project Overview: The News Service is a nonprofit, collaborative effort that trains and develops student journalists by providing professional reporting on government and politics from Trenton’s statehouse for use by independent local news outlets across New Jersey. The program offers college level students hands-on experience, with guidance from an experienced, full-time editor.
Grant Amount: $100,000
Project Overview: The Daily Targum, Rutgers University’s student-run news outlet, aims to expand its digital presence, attract advertisers, and secure a 2025 student fee referendum to restore University funding. As one of New Jersey’s largest journalism training grounds, employing over 30 student journalists each year, the Targum aligns with the Consortium’s mission by producing civic news and covering the Rutgers communities of New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden.
Grant Amount: $70,000
Project Overview: The Central New Jersey Network, a non-profit community TV station based in Somerset County, will use Consortium funding to expand its programming and internship opportunities, with a focus on amplifying diverse voices and strengthening community connections. The project will cover local events in underrepresented areas like Trenton and rural Central Jersey while recruiting interns from local colleges, particularly from underrepresented and impoverished communities, to promote diversity in media production.
Grant Amount: $40,000
Project Overview: The grant will help the Hammonton Gazette, a hyper-local newspaper and digital site, expand its coverage to neighboring communities in South-Central New Jersey that currently lack local news. It will fund additional staff, including a new position and an expanded freelance budget involving Rowan students, enabling the Gazette to provide weekly coverage of local events, activities, and sports. The project also offers young journalists practical experience, supporting the Gazette’s mission to deliver reliable news in an area facing a decline in traditional news sources.
About the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium: The Consortium is a first-of-its-kind initiative established by the State of NJ to support the revitalization of local news and information across the state. The Consortium provides funding to projects that meet the information needs of underserved communities, encourage civic engagement, and strengthen local journalism. By investing in innovative and sustainable local news models, NJCIC is committed to ensuring every New Jersey resident has access to reliable and trustworthy community-based news and information.
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