Arizona Local News Foundation Unveils $2 Million Initiative to Boost Local Journalism and Public Service Advertising

The Arizona Local News Foundation has announced the launch of the Arizona Community Collaborative, a multi-million-dollar initiative aimed at transforming the discourse around education in the state. This collaborative seeks to direct attention toward actionable solutions for K-12 and post-secondary education issues.

In collaboration with various public, private, and media entities, the initiative will significantly boost local journalism efforts. Currently, only a few journalists are dedicated to reporting on educational solutions, a gap the Foundation aims to fill by funding the hiring of 15 to 20 new reporters committed to this mission. These journalists will be embedded in their communities and focused on delivering impactful stories.

Arizona newsrooms can now apply for multi-year funding grants to support this endeavor. The deadline for applications is set for December 18, 2024. Chris Kline, the President and CEO of both the Arizona Media Association and the Arizona Local News Foundation, highlighted the pressing need for this project, stating, “We recognize that Arizona still ranks poorly in most national education rankings. We need to spread the word about what’s available now and in the future.”

The collaborative’s partners include notable organizations such as Potoff Private Philanthropy, Arizona Education Economic Commission, Burton Family Foundation, Report for America, and Scripps Howard Foundation. Together, they define “education solutions” broadly, encompassing diverse options, programs, and innovations for all ages, regardless of geographic location.

In addition to enhancing journalism, the collaborative will invest in public service advertising across local media platforms, raising awareness of existing and developing education solutions for Arizona families. All news generated through this initiative will be accessible without paywalls, with a commitment from participating media outlets to share the content openly, provided proper credit is given.

This marks the second Arizona Community Collaborative initiated by the Arizona Local News Foundation and the Arizona Media Association. The first successful collaboration aimed to make the 2024 political debates more accessible than ever, involving multiple media brands to broadcast an extensive number of debates across various races.

The Arizona Local News Foundation is dedicated to enhancing local news access throughout the state, with support from over 350 media organizations. Governed by an independent board, its mission is to amplify impactful information within Arizona’s communities. Complementarily, the Arizona Media Association serves as the official trade association for the state’s local media industry, advocating for community connection and resilience.