CALIFORNIA CIVIC MEDIA FUND
Supporting Local California Newsrooms
The California Civic Media Program, managed by Journalism Funding Partners and James B. McClatchy Foundation, is a high-profile, precedent-setting initiative designed to inject stable, sustainable funding into California’s local news ecosystem.
About the California Civic Media Program
The California Civic Media Program is a partnership between the State of California and private-sector funders such as Google. Currently, the effort, passed in July 2025, is a combined $20 million fund, governed by the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and will be managed by both Journalism Funding Partners and James B. McClatchy Foundation. Its purpose is to simplify the often complex grantmaking process, giving newsrooms the tools and support they need to access philanthropic funding. By easing the administrative burden, the program allows journalists to devote more time and energy to their core mission — producing reporting that informs, engages and empowers their communities.
This program is made possible through a collaboration with Google and GO-Biz. Google provides funding to Journalism Funding Partners (JFP), which is then distributed to eligible news organizations under the guidance of GO-Biz and its advisory board.
Its role is to ensure these funds are allocated effectively and transparently to support quality journalism in California.
Its responsibilities include developing and implementing a process for news organizations to apply for funding. It also handles the review of applications, the selection of grant recipients and the determination of funding award amounts. These decisions are made in collaboration with GO-Biz and its board.
Journalism Funding Partners is committed to administering the California Civic Media Program in accordance with best practices. This includes adhering to principles of sound accounting and financial management, independence and conflict of interest protocols, nondiscrimination and transparency. It strives to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and that the funds are used solely for their intended purpose: to support and enhance local news in California.
This program also provides regular reports to Google on the status of the fund, including detailed accounting of fund activity, balances and distributions to selected applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
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