American Journalism Project
FoundationWashington Β· Pre-SeedβSeed
Investment thesis
The American Journalism Project positions itself as a venture philanthropy organization dedicated to local news. Its approach spans three activities: building new nonprofit newsrooms by identifying community information gaps and launching organizations through its Startup Studio; growing existing portfolio organizations via multi-year catalytic investments averaging about $1 million over three years plus dedicated venture support, training, and specialized help through the Knight Resiliency Lab and Product & AI Studio; and catalyzing the broader local news movement by making the case for local news as a public good, sharing learnings, and mobilizing national and local philanthropic funding toward sustainable local journalism.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 7, 2026.
What they invest in
from 55 of 62 portfolio companiesMedia & Entertainment Γ55Impact & Social Good Γ19Climate Tech Γ1EdTech Γ1GovTech Γ1
HQs:United StatesΓ52
Investments Β· 62 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathA 15-year-old community newsroom for the Eastside of L.A., integrated into The LA Local.
CalMatters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom producing investigative and explanatory journalism focused on California issues such as politics, health, the economy, justice, education, and the environment.
Impact & Social GoodMedia & Entertainment
Local news outlet in Gary, Indiana supported through Free Press Indiana investments.
Civil Beat is a news organization that publishes journalism covering Hawaii, with reporting on topics such as housing and local politics.
Media & Entertainment
Charlottesville Tomorrow is a nonprofit newsroom that produces local journalism covering central Virginia, including Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
Impact & Social GoodMedia & EntertainmentCharlottesville, US
A nonprofit network of local newsrooms including Mississippi Today, Verite News, and The Current.
Enlace Latino NC is an independent, nonprofit Spanish-language news outlet reporting on issues such as immigration, health, and labor for Latino and immigrant communities in North Carolina.
Impact & Social GoodMedia & Entertainment
Free Press Indiana is a nonprofit that builds and supports local newsrooms to provide nonpartisan, community-centered journalism across Indiana.
Impact & Social GoodMedia & Entertainment
ICT (Indian Country Today) is a nonprofit news organization providing independent reporting on Indigenous peoples, covering politics, arts and entertainment, powwow culture, and Native community news.
Media & Entertainment
LAist is a Los Angeles public media newsroom producing local journalism, radio programming (89.3FM), podcasts, and community events covering Southern California news, politics, food, education, and culture.
Media & EntertainmentLos Angeles, US
Free Press Indiana (FPI) is a nonprofit that funds, coordinates, and operates local news organizations across Indiana, including its Central Indiana newsroom Mirror Indy and statewide newsroom FPI News.
Impact & Social GoodMedia & EntertainmentIndianapolis, US
Mirror Indy is a local news organization covering Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana, reporting on neighborhoods, arts and culture, and community issues.
Media & EntertainmentIndianapolis, US
Mission Local is a nonprofit local news outlet covering San Francisco, with a focus on the Mission District and other neighborhoods.
Media & EntertainmentSan Francisco, US
MLK50 is a nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and local journalism focused on economic justice, housing, government, public safety, and health issues affecting Memphis, Tennessee.
Media & EntertainmentMemphis, US
Mountain State Spotlight is a nonprofit investigative newsroom that reports on issues affecting West Virginia residents, covering topics such as food assistance, public policy, and community solutions.
Media & Entertainment
Nashville Banner is a news publication covering local Nashville topics such as education, city rezoning, and community affairs.
Media & EntertainmentNashville, US
The Nebraska Journalism Trust is a statewide nonprofit news organization that produces independent local and investigative journalism through outlets including Flatwater Free Press, Silicon Prairie News, and the Nebraska Documenters program.
Impact & Social GoodMedia & Entertainment
New York Focus is a nonprofit investigative news outlet reporting on New York State government, politics, and policy, covering topics such as the state budget, climate, criminal justice, immigration, and health care.
Media & Entertainment
Outlier Media is a nonprofit news organization producing local journalism, accountability reporting, and community service guides focused on Detroit residents.
Impact & Social GoodMedia & EntertainmentDetroit, US
The Richmonder is an independent local news organization covering city government, education, sports, and community features in the Richmond, Virginia region.
Media & EntertainmentRichmond, US
Sahan Journal is a nonprofit newsroom that reports on Minnesota's immigrants and communities of color, covering topics such as business, immigration, politics, and the environment.
Impact & Social GoodMedia & EntertainmentMinneapolis, US
Signal Akron is a local news and community media outlet covering Akron, Ohio, publishing reporting on the city's neighborhoods, businesses, and an events calendar of local activities.
Media & EntertainmentAkron, US
Signal Cincinnati is a nonprofit, community-centered local news organization covering government, civic, and community issues in Cincinnati, Ohio, offered free of charge without a paywall.
Media & EntertainmentCincinnati, US
Signal Cleveland is a local news organization producing journalism and community coverage focused on Greater Cleveland, Ohio, including local events, government, and human-interest stories.
Media & EntertainmentCleveland, US
Signal Ohio is a nonprofit network of local newsrooms producing statewide and community journalism covering Ohio government, elections, health, education, and public safety.
Impact & Social GoodMedia & Entertainment
The Salt Lake Tribune is a nonprofit newsroom producing local news and reporting for readers in Utah, and offers a mobile app for accessing its coverage.
Media & Entertainment
Spotlight PA is a nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative and public-interest journalism about Pennsylvania state government, politics, and policy.
Media & Entertainment
The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit news organization covering Texas politics, government, and public policy, publishing news articles and data-driven resources such as directories of elected officials, government salary databases, and public school explorers.
Media & Entertainment
The LA Local is a nonprofit newsroom covering neighborhood news across Los Angeles, including coverage of immigration, environment, sports, and community stories, along with a youth journalism program.
Media & EntertainmentLos Angeles, US
The Oklahoma Eagle is a local news outlet covering Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a focus on north Tulsa communities, publishing reporting on business, government, schools, and culture.
Media & EntertainmentTulsa, US
The City Reporter is an independent non-profit newsroom producing investigative journalism, data-driven reporting, and explainer guides about New York City and its five boroughs.
Media & EntertainmentNew York, US
The Marshall Project is a nonprofit news organization that produces investigative journalism about the U.S. criminal justice system, covering topics such as prisons, policing, immigration detention, and the death penalty.
Impact & Social GoodMedia & Entertainment
Tulsa Flyer is a local news outlet providing community journalism about Tulsa, Oklahoma, covering local news, government, elections, food, arts, and culture.
Media & EntertainmentTulsa, US
VTDigger is a nonprofit news organization publishing investigative journalism, political reporting, opinion pieces, and obituaries focused on Vermont.
Media & Entertainment
Co-investorsVermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET)
Wisconsin Watch is a nonprofit journalism organization producing investigative reporting, fact checks, and data tools covering state and local issues in Wisconsin.
Media & Entertainment
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has American Journalism Project made?
- American Journalism Project has 15 tracked investments.
- What stage does American Journalism Project invest at?
- American Journalism Project invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What is American Journalism Project's typical check size?
- American Journalism Project typically writes checks of $1M β $1.5M.
- What sectors does American Journalism Project focus on?
- American Journalism Project focuses on AI & Machine Learning, Impact & Social Good, Media & Entertainment, Social.
- Where is American Journalism Project located?
- American Journalism Project is headquartered in Washington, US.
- Does American Journalism Project lead rounds?
- American Journalism Project typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
Media Β· Podcasts & interviews
featuring the team300 Million Reasons to Believe - Sarabeth Berman, American Journalism Project - YouTube
Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation Β· Sarabeth Berman
Images
Similar investors
Everywhere Ventures is an early-stage venture firm that backs founders globally, supported by a community of founders and operators as LPs.
Rhodium is an Israel-focused investment firm that backs founders across AI, impact, social, mobile, commerce and other technology sectors, providing funding, management expertise, hands-on support and a global business network.
August Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in a small number of companies, providing hands-on support to entrepreneurs building their businesses.
Khosla Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies focused on technology, mobile, and clean energy sectors, including biotechnology applications. The firm provides capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs developing breakthrough technologies across multiple markets.
Evolution VC Partners is a venture capital firm that invests in and supports culture-tech companies across all stages.