American Journalism Project and JPMorganChase expand collaboration to strengthen local news

Announcements

The American Journalism Project and JPMorganChase today announced an expansion of their collaboration to support three additional members of the American Journalism Project’s portfolio: the L.A. Local News Initiative, the Salt Lake Tribune, and the Nebraska Journalism Trust, bringing the total number of news organizations as part of this collaboration to 10. 

This work is part of a growing effort to strengthen local journalism and help newsrooms build long-term financial resilience. These organizations reflect a range of geographies and models, united by a shared commitment to serving their communities with independent, trusted reporting.

  • Salt Lake Tribune – As Utah’s independent voice, The Tribune has helped bring accountability to the state since 1871. Today it is focused on serving as an essential community resource.
  • Nebraska Journalism Trust – Nebraska’s first and only statewide, independent, nonprofit news organization, which provides coverage through its flagship publication, Flatwater Free Press, and its startup publication, Silicon Prairie News.
  • L.A. Local News Initiative – a new nonprofit newsroom focused on providing free access to high-quality news and information that fosters civic engagement, strengthens democracy, increases accountability and uplifts communities across Los Angeles.

The ongoing collaboration, first announced in 2024, began with seven local news organizations: Block Club Chicago, Mississippi Today, Cityside, Montana Free Press, Signal Ohio, Fort Worth Report, and Spotlight Delaware, all of which are continuing their participation through 2025.  These newsrooms have worked closely with JPMorganChase and the American Journalism Project to explore new approaches to sponsored content and community engagement. The collaboration has helped participating newsrooms expand their revenue strategies, test new offerings for local businesses, and build the capacity needed to support long-term growth. JPMorganChase’s support contributes to the American Journalism Project’s mission to strengthen the financial resilience of nonprofit local news by helping build diverse, multi-source revenue streams across its portfolio. 

“JPMorganChase is demonstrating how American businesses can partner with trusted local news organizations to strengthen the information ecosystems that communities rely on,” said Sarabeth Berman, CEO of the American Journalism Project. “We’re proud to build on this momentum and expand this impactful collaboration to more communities across the country.”

As part of this collaboration, JPMorganChase will host community-centered events in several local markets this year, creating opportunities for residents to connect with their local newsrooms and engage with stories that support financial well-being and civic life.

“The success of this initiative’s first year reinforced that supporting sustainable local news is essential to strengthening communities and expanding access to trusted information,” said Andrew Gray, Managing Director of Regional Communications for JPMorganChase. “We’re proud to continue this work with the American Journalism Project and deepen our local engagement in places where we can make a meaningful impact, within these local communities and the newsrooms we’re supporting.”

The American Journalism Project is the leading venture philanthropy working to address the market failure in local news. To date, it has raised more than $225M from local and national funders to address the local news crisis and has backed 50 news operations across 36 states. 

JPMorganChase is a leading financial services firm and one of the oldest financial institutions in the U.S. It serves millions of customers, clients, and communities in 100+ global markets. This collaboration is part of the bank’s overarching efforts to support local journalism.

 

About the American Journalism Project
The American Journalism Project is a venture philanthropy dedicated to local news. We believe in civic journalism as a public good and are reimagining its future by building a model to finance and sustain the local news our democracy requires. We make grants to local nonprofit news organizations to build their revenue and business operations, partner with communities to launch new organizations, and meteor leaders as they grow and sustain their newsrooms. To learn more about the American Journalism Project, visit our website. 

About JPMorganChase
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading financial services firm based in the United States of America (“U.S.”), with operations worldwide. JPMorgan Chase had $4.1 trillion in assets and $337 billion in stockholders’ equity as of March 31, 2024. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. Under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands, the Firm serves millions of customers in the U.S., and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients globally. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

Media contact: Roshni Neslage, Head of Communications, American Journalism Project, media@theajp.org, 954-526-1565