REPORT FOR AMERICA: Local Journalism, National Service

Deadline Date to Apply: February 3, 2025

Apply to Become a Report for America Corps Member! Report for America (RFA) helps local newsrooms report on under-covered issues and communities by placing journalists at news outlets throughout the country. We are seeking talented, service-minded reporters and photographers to join our corps. As an RFA Corps Member, you’ll be a part of a movement to strengthen communities, and our democracy, through local journalism that is truthful, fair, fearless, and smart.

Report for America is a two-year program with an optional third year. The upcoming service year begins on July 7, 2025 and runs through July 6, 2026. Applications are now open for dozens of journalism positions in newsrooms of all types — digital startups, daily and weekly newspapers, radio and TV stations, a wire service and more. Check out our interactive database of job openings, newsrooms, and beats here and read our info page to make sure you are a good fit for the program. The deadline to apply is February 3, 2025, with references due by February 10, 2025.

Report for America is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Questions? Contact the Report for America recruitment team at recruitment@reportforamerica.org or join us for one of our virtual information sessions. You may register for an information session here.

Are you ready to make a real impact in the world of journalism and our democracy? At Report for America, we're on a mission to rebuild local news in the U.S. by supporting the journalists and newsrooms that produce local news and the communities that depend on it. We're a dynamic nonprofit dedicated to nurturing the next generation of journalists and helping local newsrooms become more financially stable. We’re an initiative of The GroundTruth Project, an award-winning, independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization.

About Us: 

Report for America (RFA) is a transformative national service program dedicated to revitalizing local journalism by placing skilled journalists in newsrooms to cover under-reported issues and communities. RFA supports newsrooms by providing grant funds to cover the journalist’s salary, enabling newsrooms to leverage new reporters to engage with untapped audiences and generate additional revenue. In its mission to nurture both the next generation of journalists and newsrooms, RFA offers essential fundraising support, training, and peer engagement. These initiatives focus on critical topics such as philanthropy and innovative tools like AI, empowering newsrooms to sustain their operations and better serve their communities. In 2023 alone, RFA helped local newsrooms raise an impressive $7.4 million, contributing to a remarkable total of $30 million in local revenue generated since the program's inception. Join us in supporting the future of local journalism and ensuring that every community has access to the vital stories that matter most.

The Opportunity: 

The Manager, Local News Sustainability will work with partner newsrooms to build their capacity to raise local philanthropic support. In concert with the Director of Local News Sustainability, this role will engage in one-on-one mentorship and host cohort-based fundraising training both in-person and through virtual tools. 

What You’ll Do:

• Assess Newsroom Needs: Conduct thorough evaluations of partner newsrooms to identify specific challenges and opportunities, providing tailored support to enhance their sustainability and impact.
• Provide Direct Local News Sustainability Support: Offer hands-on assistance and resources to help newsrooms implement effective strategies for growth and fundraising, ensuring they can thrive in their communities.
• Prioritize and Assign Deliverables: Strategically prioritize and delegate tasks and deliverables to newsroom partners, ensuring alignment with their goals and maximizing efficiency in meeting project timelines.
• Track Newsroom Success Stories: Monitor and document the achievements of partner newsrooms, showcasing their impact and growth to inspire further support and engagement.
• Draft Campaign Materials: Collaborate with newsroom partners to create compelling campaign materials that effectively communicate their stories, needs, and fundraising goals.
• Create Donor Profiles: Develop comprehensive profiles for both individual and institutional donors, highlighting their interests, giving history, and alignment with our mission to enhance targeted outreach and relationship-building.
• Review Grant Proposals: Evaluate grant proposals submitted by newsroom partners, providing constructive feedback and ensuring alignment with funding opportunities and organizational objectives.
• Write Letters of Support: Craft impactful letters of support for newsroom partners seeking funding, emphasizing their contributions to local journalism and community engagement.
• Oversee Fundraising Software: Manage the fundraising software platform, ensuring its effective use for fundraising and reporting, while also approving related expenses to maintain budgetary compliance.
   

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising or philanthropic advising.
• A genuine passion for local journalism and a deep understanding of journalism philanthropy is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in training or mentoring individuals in one-on-one or cohort settings.
• Strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and effective project management capabilities.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative nonprofit environment, working effectively with diverse stakeholders.
   

Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000

Join us in reshaping the future of local journalism! If you're ready to lead, inspire, and drive change, we want to hear from you. Apply now and become a crucial part of the Report for America mission!

The GroundTruth Project and Report for America is an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.

The GroundTruth Project and Report for America believes in fair and equitable pay. Please note that actual salaries may vary within the range, or be above or below the range, based on factors including, but not limited to, education, training, experience, professional achievement, business need, and location.

Are you passionate about the future of local journalism and skilled in fundraising? At Report for America, we're on a mission to rebuild local news in the U.S. by supporting the journalists and newsrooms that produce local news and the communities that depend on it. We're a dynamic nonprofit dedicated to nurturing the next generation of journalists and helping local newsrooms become more financially stable. We’re an initiative of The GroundTruth Project, an award-winning, independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization.

The Opportunity: 

The Local News Sustainability Data Analyst will collaborate with partner newsrooms to strengthen their ability to leverage data for raising philanthropic support. Working closely with the Director of Local News Sustainability, this role will analyze fundraising trends, identify key data-driven strategies, and provide one-on-one mentorship. Additionally, the Data Analyst will lead cohort-based fundraising training sessions, utilizing both in-person and virtual platforms to equip newsrooms with the tools and insights needed to optimize their fundraising efforts.

What You’ll Do:

• Assess Newsroom Needs: Conduct thorough evaluations of partner newsrooms to identify specific challenges and opportunities, providing tailored support to enhance their sustainability and impact.
• Track and Manage Sustainability Data: Monitor and oversee all sustainability data for Accelerator, Host, and Alumni newsrooms on a quarterly, annual, and ad-hoc basis, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• Maintain Databases: Oversee the LNS databases in Airtable and Salesforce, ensuring that all data is up-to-date and effectively organized to support strategic decision-making. Help manage and oversee data within the fiscal sponsorship database, ensuring that all information is current and accurately reflects financial relationships. 
• Develop Documentation: Establish and maintain processes and documentation to ensure continuity and knowledge sharing across the organization, fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Collaborate on Research and Findings: Partner with the impact and evaluation team to release key research findings, ensuring insights are actionable and relevant to newsroom sustainability efforts.
• Analyze Data for Reporting: Conduct thorough analysis of sustainability data for both internal and external reporting, tracking the effectiveness of initiatives and their impact on local newsrooms.
• Document and Share Success Stories:  Assist in tracking and documenting success stories from newsrooms engaged in the LNS program, showcasing effective strategies and outcomes to inspire others and demonstrate the program’s impact.
   

What You’ll Bring:

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Relevant Experience: A minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising or philanthropic advising.
• Passion for Journalism: A genuine passion for local journalism and a deep understanding of journalism philanthropy is highly desirable.
• Training Skills: Proven experience in training or mentoring individuals in one-on-one or cohort settings.
• Strong Communication: Strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and effective project management capabilities.
• Collaborative Spirit: Ability to thrive in a collaborative nonprofit environment, working effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Technical Proficiency: Knowledge of fundraising and communications tools including but not limited to Airtable, Calendy, Classy or similar donation platforms, Ribbon or similar fiscal sponsorship platforms G-Suite + GA4, Mailchimp or similar mail merge tools, Salesforce or similar CRM software, Slack, Survey Monkey, WordPress, Donor Search or similar wealth management tools, Zoom webinars 

Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000

About Report for America (RFA) is a transformative national service program dedicated to revitalizing local journalism by placing skilled journalists in newsrooms to cover under-reported issues and communities. RFA supports newsrooms by providing grant funds to cover the journalist’s salary, enabling newsrooms to leverage new reporters to engage with untapped audiences and generate additional revenue. In its mission to nurture both the next generation of journalists and newsrooms, RFA offers essential fundraising support, training, and peer engagement. These initiatives focus on critical topics such as philanthropy and innovative tools like AI, empowering newsrooms to sustain their operations and better serve their communities. In 2023 alone, RFA helped local newsrooms raise an impressive $7.4 million, contributing to a remarkable total of $30 million in local revenue generated since the program's inception. Join us in supporting the future of local journalism and ensuring that every community has access to the vital stories that matter most.

Join us in reshaping the future of local journalism! If you're ready to lead, inspire, and drive change, we want to hear from you. Apply now and become a crucial part of the Report for America mission!

The GroundTruth Project and Report for America is an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.

The GroundTruth Project and Report for America believes in fair and equitable pay. Please note that actual salaries may vary within the range, or be above or below the range, based on factors including, but not limited to, education, training, experience, professional achievement, business need, and location.

Are you ready to make a real impact in the world of journalism and our democracy? At Report for America, we're on a mission to rebuild local news in the U.S. by supporting the journalists and newsrooms that produce local news and the communities that depend on it. We're a dynamic nonprofit dedicated to nurturing the next generation of journalists and helping local newsrooms become more financially stable. We’re an initiative of The GroundTruth Project, an award-winning, independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization.

The Opportunity: 

Join us as a Local News Sustainability Fundraising Trainer, where you'll empower newsrooms to thrive through innovative philanthropic support. Working closely with the Director of Local News Sustainability, you'll engage in personalized mentorship and lead dynamic cohort-based fundraising training, both in-person and virtually. Help shape the narrative of local news by equipping newsrooms with the tools they need to secure funding and enhance their impact in the community. 

What You’ll Do:

• Empower Local Newsrooms: Coach newsrooms to effectively identify and solicit funds from diverse local philanthropic sources, including individual, institutional, and corporate giving.
• Cultivate Partnerships: Discover and facilitate fundraising opportunities within the local news ecosystem, fostering collaborations that drive success.
• Develop Engaging Training Materials: Create comprehensive fundraising curricula, including templates, toolkits, and evergreen resources, to ensure newsrooms have the knowledge they need.
• Ensure Organizational Continuity: Establish processes and documentation that promote seamless collaboration and knowledge sharing across the organization.
• Foster Community Engagement: Support a vibrant community connection environment, encouraging active participation and sharing of resources.
• Identify Expertise: Connect with external experts to fill training gaps, enriching the learning experience for participants.
• Provide Ongoing Support: Host weekly office hours to offer guidance, answer questions, and encourage continuous improvement.
• Highlight Success Stories: Track and promote the accomplishments of newsrooms and the broader local news landscape to inspire and motivate others.
• Stay Ahead of Trends: Keep abreast of new fundraising and communication tools, ensuring our strategies are current and effective.

What You’ll Bring:

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Relevant Experience: 3+ years in nonprofit fundraising, philanthropic advising, or related fields.
• Passion for Journalism: A genuine interest in local journalism and journalism philanthropy is a strong plus.
• Training Skills: Experience in delivering training or mentoring in one-on-one or group settings, with a focus on engagement and skill-building.
• Strong Communication: Excellent attention to detail, with robust communication and project management skills.
• Collaborative Spirit: Ability to thrive in a cooperative nonprofit environment, working towards common goals.
• Technical Proficiency: Knowledge of fundraising and communications tools including but not limited to Airtable, Calendy, Classy or similar donation platforms, Ribbon or similar fiscal sponsorship platforms G-Suite + GA4, Mailchimp or similar mail merge tools, Salesforce or similar CRM software, Slack, Survey Monkey, WordPress, Donor Search or similar wealth management tools, Zoom webinars
   

Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000

About Report for America (RFA) is a transformative national service program dedicated to revitalizing local journalism by placing skilled journalists in newsrooms to cover under-reported issues and communities. RFA supports newsrooms by providing grant funds to cover the journalist’s salary, enabling newsrooms to leverage new reporters to engage with untapped audiences and generate additional revenue. In its mission to nurture both the next generation of journalists and newsrooms, RFA offers essential fundraising support, training, and peer engagement. These initiatives focus on critical topics such as philanthropy and innovative tools like AI, empowering newsrooms to sustain their operations and better serve their communities. In 2023 alone, RFA helped local newsrooms raise an impressive $7.4 million, contributing to a remarkable total of $30 million in local revenue generated since the program's inception. Join us in supporting the future of local journalism and ensuring that every community has access to the vital stories that matter most.

Join us in reshaping the future of local journalism! If you're ready to lead, inspire, and drive change, we want to hear from you. Apply now and become a crucial part of the Report for America mission!

The GroundTruth Project and Report for America is an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor.

The GroundTruth Project and Report for America believes in fair and equitable pay. Please note that actual salaries may vary within the range, or be above or below the range, based on factors including, but not limited to, education, training, experience, professional achievement, business need, and location.