FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2026
Sacramento, CA — The James B. McClatchy Foundation has been selected to serve as the third-party administrator of California’s new Civic Media Program, a first-of-its-kind statewide effort designed to empower Californians through access to information through local investments to reliable, community-facing journalism.
The Civic Media Program was established by the State of California and is led by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). The program brings together public and private resources to support California-based news organizations, with a focus on sustainability, regional equity, and communities that have historically been underserved by local media.
“This program represents a meaningful public commitment to local journalism at a time when many communities are losing access to trusted, relevant news,” said Priscilla Enriquez, President and CEO of the James B. McClatchy Foundation. “Our role is to bring strong administration, field knowledge, and deep respect for editorial independence, while working in partnership with the state and journalism leaders across California.”
Founded in 1994, the James B. McClatchy Foundation is a California based grantmaker with deep roots in the Central Valley and decades of experience supporting First Amendment freedoms, community-powered journalism, and durable civic infrastructure. Since its founding, the Foundation has awarded more than $50 million and has worked alongside local, ethnic, nonprofit, and independent newsrooms across the state.
The Foundation will be responsible for program operations and issuing grants, working in close coordination with GO-Biz and informed by an independent advisory board of journalism and media leaders. The Foundation is independently responsible for the grants management process from start to evaluation, including: outreach, application process and review, grant awards, and program evaluation.
“An informed public is the foundation of a healthy democracy. By bringing together distinguished leaders from across the state who care deeply about supporting local journalism, expanding access to trusted information and improving newsroom sustainability, the Civic Media Program will help Californians stay connected to the issues that shape their lives and strengthen their communities.” – Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to Governor Newsom and Director of GO-Biz
To support meaningful statewide and regional engagement, the Foundation will work in partnership with a network of trusted regional and field-based organizations, including Press Forward California: Press Forward Silicon Valley at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation; Press Forward Inland Empire with the Inland Empire Journalism Hub at the Inland Empire Community Foundation, Press Forward Central Valley in partnership with the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative and the League of California Community Foundations.
These partners, along with the newly appointed 9 person advisory board for the program, bring deep community relationships and regional knowledge that will help ensure broad awareness of the program and access for news organizations across California.
“This program recognizes that strong civic media depends on both regional insight and statewide coordination,” said Paulette Brown-Hinds, PhD., Publisher of Black Voice News and Founder of the Inland Empire Journalism Innovation Hub + Fund. “Trusted regional partners play an essential role in helping news organizations understand the program, navigate the process, and connect the work to local realities.” Moses Zapien, Executive Vice President of Community Action and Initiatives at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, added, “When funding is paired with on-the-ground relationships and practical support, it gives local newsrooms a real opportunity to build durability, not just get through the next grant cycle.”
Laura Seaman, Chief Executive Officer of the League of California Community Foundations, emphasized that “aligning local and regional engagement with a coordinated statewide approach helps ensure this program can reach newsrooms across California and strengthen the civic information infrastructure our communities rely on to thrive.”
Detailed program guidelines and qualifications for funding will be released this spring. The program’s application window will open this summer, with awardees announced in the fall.
About the James B. McClatchy Foundation
The James B. McClatchy Foundation, whose mission is to stand with the people of the Central Valley by investing in education and active civic participation in our democracy, is a California based philanthropy committed to advancing a multiracial democracy through investments in education, civic engagement, and community-powered journalism. With deep roots in the Central Valley, the Foundation supports efforts that help communities access reliable information, participate in civic life, and build lasting local civic infrastructure.