Published on March 25, 2025
The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium is excited to announce its first round of grantmaking for 2025, awarding a total of $463,856 to six projects dedicated to enhancing local news and community-driven journalism across the state. The funding includes two grant renewals and four new grants, supporting organizations that bolster public access to vital information in New Jersey.
“This round of funding continues our mission of ensuring that all New Jersey residents have access to high-quality news and information,” said Chris Daggett, Board chair and Interim Executive Director of the Consortium. “Now, more than ever, we need local news and information organizations to help residents interpret and understand the massive changes happening across our society and how they will impact their daily lives.”
Renewal grants:
Corporation for New Jersey Local Media – $71,856: The Corporation for New Jersey Local Media (CNJLM) advances sustainable local journalism through nonprofit ownership and strategic partnerships. CNJLM champions community-focused reporting to strengthen civic engagement and democracy. This funding will support the development of a sustainable digital strategy to increase revenue and audience development. Grant funds will be used to contract a digital media consultant to construct and implement media strategy.
Morristown Green – $120,000: Morristown Green is the trusted source for news in Greater Morristown. It strives to inform, engage and entertain readers by covering: Breaking news, local government, the arts, commentary and crime. This funding will support the general operations and expansion of Morristown Green’s sustainability efforts.
New Grants:
Garden State Initiative – $100,000: The Garden State Initiative strengthens New Jersey by advocating for common-sense policies that drive investment, job growth, economic opportunity, and innovation for all residents. This funding will support the development of a comprehensive data warehouse and user-friendly reporting system that provides timely analysis of past, current, and proposed state budgets, with a focus on earmarked funds.
Healthy NewsWorks – $30,000: Since 2003, Healthy NewsWorks has been empowering elementary and middle school students to become researchers, writers, and confident communicators who advance health understanding and literacy through their factual publications and digital media. This funding will support the expansion of access to the Healthy NewsWorks literacy program and engage students and schools in Camden, New Jersey through community health journalism.
Montclair Local Nonprofit News – $80,000: Founded in 2017, Montclair Local Nonprofit News is an independent local news organization with the mission to “spark dialogue, objectively inform and build community in Montclair.” This funding will support the hiring of a senior reporter dedicated to covering Essex County, addressing key issues such as public spending, housing and development, environmental concerns, transportation, public safety, and arts and culture.
Inside Climate News – $62,000: Inside Climate News is a non-profit news organization, focusing on environmental journalism about the climate crisis. The publication conducts watchdog journalism on climate policy, climate misinformation, and environmental injustice. This funding will support Inside Climate News in strengthening New Jersey’s local environmental reporting ecosystem through on-the-ground freelance journalism and collaborations with local media outlets, aiming to fill gaps in climate and environmental coverage while building a sustained reporting presence in communities across the state.
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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