Civic Journalism Impact Fund

Supporting local independent journalism in Atlanta.

Local journalism reports on the justice and injustice taking place in our community, exposing corruption as well as the good being done by citizens who care about the Atlanta region.

Civic journalists work to cover what matters most to families. They report on school board and county commission meetings. They write about new business developments, helping readers understand the impact of state and local legislation. They write about the issues in Atlanta, providing the facts and information that motivate those who wish to advocate for justice and positive change.

As Americans have grown increasingly skeptical of the news media, journalists now play a more critical role. That skepticism, along with the shift to social media and digital formats, has resulted in the loss of subscriptions by traditional and independent newspapers

In 2020, newspaper ad revenue totaled a record low $8.8 billion, down nearly 30% from $12.45 billion in 2019. Veteran reporters were being let go at alarming rates, not only reducing newsroom staff, but the knowledge, history, contacts and expertise those experienced reporters provided to their editorial departments. From 2008 to 2022, newsroom employment in America dropped 26%, reflecting a loss of more than 30,000 jobs.

Research shows that the vacuum left by the loss of credible news organizations has resulted in greater corruption, with fewer watchdog reporters to monitor activities in government and business. For residents, this means a lack of credible information about their communities, as well as higher taxes.

The Community Foundation established the Civic Journalism Impact Fund to support local news and independent reporting in Atlanta.

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The power of good local journalism

The Civic Journalism Impact Fund expands, supports and strengthens reporting of community-oriented news and information throughout metro Atlanta. This fund gives donors the opportunity to support local journalism covering news in the community that is of most interest to residents. See local journalism in action with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s three-part, investigative series on deplorable living conditions in some of Atlanta’s most notorious apartment complexes

Why is civic journalism so critical?

Local news is vital to providing citizens with the information needed to make informed decisions about their lives, communities and governments.

Give today

Your tax-deductible gift to support the Civic Journalism Impact Fund will support local journalism on a variety of topics in Atlanta, including — from sustainability and health to education. You may also choose to support a specific news source.

For more information, please contact:

Jovan Paige

Jovan Paige
Power & Leadership Program Officer
404.588.3212
jpaige@cfgreateratlanta.org