A first-in-the-nation publicly-funded initiative to grow access to local news and information, designated as a local chapter of the national Press Forward initiative.
Press Forward New Jersey (PFNJ) is a first-in-the-nation publicly-funded initiative to grow access to local news and information. Designated as a local chapter of the national Press Forward initiative in February 2024, it is housed within the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium and the Community Foundation of New Jersey.
The initiative targets communities with limited access to local journalism, with a particular focus on supporting community-led news and information projects in regions of the state with the greatest need.
PFNJ encourages philanthropic support through two complementary mechanisms.
A collaborative fund managed jointly by the Consortium and the Community Foundation of New Jersey, combining resources for maximum impact on local news ecosystems.
Contributions from foundations, governments, and individual donors focused on specific geographic or topical areas, allowing targeted support for communities in need.
Press Forward National, Press Forward New Jersey, and the NJ Civic Information Consortium represent three separate funding pools. Applicants may apply to all three simultaneously, maximizing their potential for support.
This structure ensures that multiple funding pathways exist for organizations working to strengthen local journalism and civic information across New Jersey.
Press Forward NJ is administered by staff from both partner organizations.
We invite journalism, media literacy, and civic engagement partners to participate through virtual and in-person meetings.