The Knight Foundation has announced a $25 million commitment to the AP Fund for Journalism, aimed at expanding access to reliable local news across the United States.
The investment is designed to help The Associated Press provide non-biased, factual reporting to more communities. The fund expects to support 100 additional local newsrooms in 2026 and more than 300 by 2028.
“The reality of the local news crisis in the U.S. means that many Americans continue to lack access to reliable reporting on issues that affect everyday life,” said APFJ CEO Rachel White. The new commitment follows a $5 million investment in 2024 that expanded AP’s state-based reporting to all 50 states.
Maribel Perez Wadsworth, president and CEO of the Knight Foundation, said the initiative will build on existing progress. “By connecting the AP’s national infrastructure with local newsrooms, we can multiply impact and help communities gain broader access to trusted, independent reporting,” she said.
White said communities are facing a deepening shortage of local news. “News deserts are growing; local news outlets are under relentless pressure; and trusted journalism is becoming harder to find,” she said.
According to the fund’s website, the goal is to create both immediate impact and long-term sustainability for local journalism.
