Associated Press Launches The AP Fund for Journalism to Expand State and Local News

The Associated Press (AP) is making a significant move to bolster local news coverage with the launch of a new independent sister organization, The AP Fund for Journalism. This charitable organization aims to raise at least $100 million to support local news efforts, filling a crucial gap in the industry.

AP CEO Daisy Veerasingham highlighted the importance of this initiative, emphasizing that it will help sustain and grow local journalism while adding new services for the industry. The organization, currently awaiting IRS approval, will have a board of independent directors and plans to hire an executive vice president to lead its operations.

With an initial fundraising goal of $100 million, The AP Fund for Journalism will support AP’s local journalism efforts and other organizations that aid local newsrooms. The funds will be used to develop services like localizing big datasets, providing training on artificial intelligence, and ensuring editorial control over all journalism produced with philanthropic funding.

This move comes at a critical time for local newsrooms facing financial constraints and misinformation challenges. The AP’s increased investments in local news coverage ahead of the 2024 election underscore the urgency of supporting local journalism.

As journalism nonprofits turn to philanthropy to address the decline of the commercial model for local news, initiatives like The AP Fund for Journalism and Press Forward are crucial for sustaining a strong local news ecosystem. By stepping in to support local news, the AP is reaffirming its commitment to the industry it has served since its founding in 1846.