The launch of the $18.75 million California Civic Media Program (CMP) marks a historic investment in California’s local journalism.
For decades, community media outlets have provided essential reporting for millions of Californians facing language barriers, geographic isolation and information gaps; yet, these platforms have been historically excluded from large-scale public and private institutional funding. This program changes that dynamic.
American Community Media (ACoM) urges every eligible print, digital and multimedia community news outlet in California to apply for funding. Beyond the immediate funding opportunity, participation can expand your newsroom’s capacity and financial viability for years to come.
Who can apply?
Newsrooms that publish original public-interest reporting through print, websites, newsletters, PDFs, mail, social media or in languages other than English are eligible to apply.
Eligible outlets can receive funding through two primary pathways:
- Pro rata capital: Eligible outlets may receive an allocation of $20,000 per journalist for their first 1–5 W-2 full-time equivalents (FTEs) and $10,000 per journalist for FTEs 6–20, up to an organizational cap of $250,000. Applications will be reviewed and funded in rank order until funds are exhausted.
- Needs-based & 1099 (independent contractors, self-employed): A dedicated funding track is available for outlets that rely heavily or entirely on 1099 independent contractors. These newsrooms may qualify for funds between $20,000 and $40,000, depending on demonstrated community impact. Mixed-structure newsrooms can use this pool to request up to double their base award.
Building capacity beyond 2026
The 2026 CMP is intended to be a public-private pilot framework; while the current grant cycle is explicitly a one-time funding opportunity, state policymakers and philanthropic leaders are monitoring this rollout to collect the data needed to continue investments in 2027 and 2028.
Applying this year can establish newsrooms within California’s institutional landscape for future public and philanthropic funding. Navigating the 2026 compliance thresholds — including securing an active Secretary of State business filing, establishing public ethics statements and organizing standardized W-2 payroll reporting — also strengthens business infrastructure, removing administrative barriers that make this funding hard for small publishers to access.
Readiness for tax credits
While the CMP provides direct grants, not tax credits, state and federal legislatures are increasingly exploring structural economic relief such as specialized payroll tax credits for local newsrooms.
If state or federal local journalism tax incentives are enacted, the documentation required for the CMP application — including audit-ready payroll records, California residency mapping and editorial compliance — will make it easier to claim these credits.
Next steps
- Pre-registration (active now): Take an eligibility quiz and create your organization profile on cacivicmedia.org.
- Application window: The window to fully apply — i.e. input narrative responses and upload official payroll summaries — opens July 6, 2026.
- Technical assistance: Beginning July 14, 2026, one-on-one office hours will be held every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. to answer application questions.
- Cutoff: The portal closes on August 21, 2026 at 12:00 p.m., no exceptions.
Webinars
The CMP will hold applicant webinars:
- Monday, June 30, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Registration
- Tuesday, July 7, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Registration
- Tuesday, August 4, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Registration
ACoM will hold its own CMP informational webinar Wednesday, July 1 at 2:00 p.m.; to register, contact ACoM Co-Director Julian Do at jdo@americancommunitymedia.org.
For more details regarding timelines and eligibility, please review the CMP readiness checklist here.
If your newsroom is eligible, ACoM can help you begin your application. For any questions, please contact Julian Do at jdo@americancommunitymedia.org, or the CMP support line at info@cacivicmedia.org.
