“It helps rebuild some of what has been lost over time,” said Rachel White, the fund's CEO.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has committed $25 million to the fund. Other contributors include Lilly Endowment Inc. and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
With the additional money, the fund hopes to support a total of 100 state and local newsrooms by the end of 2026, and 300 by 2028.
Through the fund, the local news sites get AP stories, photos and data, raw material for their news product that they otherwise would not be able to afford, allowing staff members to concentrate on original stories. The fund also offers advice on bringing local angles to broader stories and tips on upcoming AP coverage.
The first year of operation saw participating newsrooms grow their audiences and making them more engaged, she said.