The University of Texas at Austin

The Engaging News Project has a single aim: to provide research-based techniques for engaging online audiences in commercially-viable and democratically-beneficial ways. The project tests web-based strategies for informing audiences, promoting substantive discourse, and helping citizens to understand diverse views.

Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Incorporated

The purpose of this grant is to support the Local News Lab in New Jersey. Dodge has been a co-funder (using Knight Funds) of our work with Rutgers and Free Press. They are also involved in a number of other initiatives well aligned with our priorities.

The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York

The Columbia Journalism Review will improve the quality of election and policy coverage by focusing media criticism at the local level, where the quality of media coverage can be essential for voters to understand issues and make informed choices.

Healthy Democracy Fund

Healthy Democracy Fund and the Participatory Budget Project will work with Personal Democracy Media to explore how technology may be used to improve their models of public engagement.

Voice of San Diego

The purpose of this grant is to support Voice of San Diego’s Membership Academy.

Free Press

To support the core journalism program at Free Press, which is building an advocacy approach that combines credible, rigorous analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of local media ecosystems with a public engagement approach.

Wayne State University

The purpose of this grant is to explore how WDET, and in turn other local non-profit media organizations, can integrate revenue driving activities into engaged journalism projects. Our intention is to identify and realize the sustainability of “engagement” as a practice, and share our learnings for the wider industry to review.

Institute for Nonprofit News

This renewal grant will provide general operating support for the Institute for Nonprofit News. The Institute for Nonprofit News is a critical anchor organization, providing support, training and networking for America’s 200+ nonprofit journalism organizations. 

Democracy Fund
1200 17th Street NW Suite 300,
Washington, DC 20036