U.S. Local News Reporting Grants

The Pulitzer Center’s U.S. Local News Grant initiative funds enterprise and investigative reporting projects in partnership with local U.S. outlets. These grants support ambitious, underreported stories that tackle systemic issues and hold local institutions and leaders accountable.

What They Support

  • Data-driven, investigative, and accountability journalism
  • Stories with strong community impact and reach
  • Projects reflecting the diversity of the communities they serve

Eligibility

  • Open to freelancers and staff journalists publishing in U.S. local outlets
  • Collaborative newsroom projects welcome
  • Journalists from underrepresented backgrounds strongly encouraged to apply

What’s Required

  • Project description (≤ 250 words)
  • Preliminary budget (basic cost breakdown)
  • Distribution plan

Funding Details

  • No set budget range; projects of all sizes considered
  • Costs may include travel, data, contractors, or design
  • Stipends for freelancers occasionally considered
  • Does not cover staff salaries, equipment purchases, or outlet overhead

Application Process

  • Rolling applications, reviewed regularly
  • Applicants typically notified within a month
  • Urgent timelines should be flagged in the application

Opportunity offered by:

Pulitzer Center

Organization dedicated to raising awareness of underreported global issues. Direct funder who supports all platforms. “Largest single source of money for global enterprise reporting.” Fund 150 affiliate partners and support…
Online application form
Contact for application information
Opportunity type

Grant
Rolling

Location(s) where available

United States (all)

Areas of focus

Affordable Living
Business/Economy
Criminal Justice
Data Journalism
Education
Environment
Equity/Inclusion
Gender
Local Journalism
Poverty

This is a recurring opportunity