• by Ray Schultz , April 9, 2025

The AP Fund for Journalism (APFJ), the group founded by Associated Press in 2024, has created a pilot program to support state and local news reporting.

Participating newsrooms will receive AP text, video and photo content and access to editorial tools and training. 

The goal is to ensure “state and local newsrooms have the tools they need to keep the public informed on stories and issues that would not otherwise receive coverage,” says Rachel White, CEO of APFJ.

The first such effort by the APFJ, the program is also supported by the Google News Initiative. APFJ, founded to support public service journalism, will work with almost 50 newsrooms. 

“Fact-based, independent journalism is the backbone of engaged communities and informed civic discourse,” White adds. “Local newsrooms are on the frontlines telling the stories that matter most to their audiences, yet often they lack the resources to do so effectively.” 

APFJ has also formed a board to be chaired by Charles Sennott, founder, GroundTruth Media Partners, LLC, and co-founder of Report for America.