The Facebook Journalism Project has launched the COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant Program, which will provide grants to both for- and non-profit local news organizations serving a critical role for communities impacted by COVID-19.
Funding is intended to respond to immediate community needs and/or offset some revenue shortfalls to help publishers maintain long-term sustainability during this crisis. Grants will range from from $25,000 to $100,000.
News organizations can begin applying for relief grants on Monday, April 13.
Preference will be given to publishers who:
- Serve immigrant, rural, underserved and economically disadvantaged communities
- Represent areas where COVID-19 impact is particularly acute
- Clearly and candidly explain the grant’s contribution to their organization’s long-term viability
- Are family- or community-owned or independent
- Have an established digital reader, digital listener or digital video consumer supported business model
- Have not yet received grant support from the Facebook Journalism Project in 2020
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee made up of representatives from the Institute for Nonprofit News, The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, Local Independent Online News Publishers, Local Media Association, Local Media Consortium, National Association of Broadcasters, and Facebook.
