Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to questions about program eligibility, requirements, and award details.
These FAQs will be updated regularly.
1. General / Getting Started
+ What is the California Civic Media Program?
The California Civic Media Program is a public-private partnership that invests directly in California’s state and local newsrooms. By funding the organizations doing original, fact-based journalism, the program aims to close information gaps, strengthen communities, and ensure California’s press reflects the people it serves.
+ Who is behind the program / who runs it?
The program was created through a public-private partnership between the State of California and Google and established within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). The application process is independently administered by the James B. McClatchy Foundation with support from Journalism Funding Partners, and guided by an Advisory Board of news industry leaders. The Advisory Board does not review applications.
+ How is the program funded?
The Civic Media Program is a public-private partnership, combining equal investment from the State of California and Google for a total of $20 million for this grant period.
+ What’s the goal of the program?
The program invests directly in news organizations to close information gaps and strengthen California’s press corps, with an emphasis on local, ethnic, and community newsrooms and those serving underserved communities. The goal is to give every Californian access to accurate, well-sourced local information and to support fuller participation in civic life.
+ When do applications open?
Applications open Monday, July 6, 2026 at 9:00am PT.
+ What is the timeline for the program?
Pre-registration opens June 15 and the application period runs Monday, July 6 through Friday, August 21, 2026, closing at 12:00 PM PT. Review starts September 2026, and awards will be announced in Fall 2026. There will be three public training webinars on June 30, July 7, and August 4. Find a list of webinars here.
+ What’s the difference between pre-registration and applying?
Pre-registration (opening June 15) lets you create your account with Temelio, and pre-fill information about your news organization. The full application opens July 6, giving you access to calculate your journalists on a pro-rata basis and to enter your narrative responses.
+ Will all applications get funded?
Grants will be awarded until funding is depleted. Higher scoring applications on the prioritization rubric will be funded first.
+ Where can I learn about the Advisory Board?
Board members and meeting information are posted here. The board guides program direction but does not review applications.
2. Eligibility
+ What are the basic eligibility requirements?
Your organization must be California-based and legally registered to conduct business in the state; have at least three years of operation; produce original, fact-based content on state or local matters of public interest; maintain a publicly posted ethics and correction policy; and have publicly disclosed its ownership on its website or print publication.
+ My organization is less than three years old. Can I still apply?
The three-year requirement is measured from the date your news organization was established. If you believe a specific circumstance about your organization’s history should be taken into consideration, reach out to program staff before applying. info@cacivicmedia.org
+ My news organization has been around for longer than three years but has changed ownership in that timeframe. Can I still apply?
Yes. A change in ownership does not affect length of operation for the purpose of the program.
+ My news organization performs some audio/visual reporting. Does that disqualify my organization?
No. Performing some audio or visual reporting does not disqualify you. The exclusion applies only to entities whose principal business is distributing audio or visual programming to the public through broadcast, cable, satellite, or internet-based streaming.
+ Can for-profit news organizations apply? What about nonprofits?
Both can apply.
+ Do university-affiliated news organizations qualify for the program?
Yes, if all other requirements are met. Note that an organization cannot claim awards for unpaid volunteer journalists.
+ Is ethnic, in-language, or community media eligible?
Yes. Organizations producing original local reporting are eligible regardless of the language they publish in, and serving underserved and in-language communities is central to the program’s goals.
+ We’re a newsletter / digital-only outlet. Are we eligible?
Yes, if you produce original, fact-based local reporting and meet all other requirements. Format is not the deciding factor.
+ My news organization does advocacy journalism. Do I qualify for the program?
To be eligible, applicants must produce fact-based, original news.
+ My ethics policy / ownership disclosure isn’t posted publicly yet. What do I do?
Post it on your website or in print before you submit. Both must be publicly accessible to be eligible.
+ I do not have media liability insurance. Does that disqualify my organization?
No. It’s optional at the time of application, but successful applicants without media liability insurance must purchase and provide proof of an active policy before a grant is made.
+ Who is NOT eligible?
Broadcast-first organizations (per above), and organizations controlled by lobbying firms, PACs, or entities with 501 ( c ) ( 4 ) or 501 ( c ) ( 6 ) status.
3. FTE & Award Calculation
+ How is my award calculated?
Your base award is set by a pro rata formula based on eligible journalist headcount: $20,000 for each of your first 1–5 full-time-equivalent journalists, and $10,000 for each FTE from 6 to 20. The maximum base award is $250,000. The application calculates your estimated award in real time as you enter journalists.
+ Who counts as an eligible journalist?
A W-2 employee who lives in California and whose primary professional function is gathering, reporting, editing, or producing original, fact-based local and state news — reporters, editors, copy editors, fact-checkers, photojournalists, videographers, audio producers, data and digital journalists, newsletter authors, journalistic (not promotional) community engagement producers, and journalistic (not promotional) graphic designers.
+ Who does NOT count toward FTE?
Advertising, sales, marketing, PR, design, and fundraising staff; HR, accounting, legal, and operations staff; publishers/owners spending under 50% of their time on editorial; people who only curate, syndicate, or aggregate without original reporting; journalists who don’t cover local California matters; and independent contractors.
+ How are part-time journalists counted?
Full-time (30+ hrs/week) = 1.0 FTE. Part-time (15–29 hrs/week) = 0.5 FTE. Fewer than 15 hrs/week are not eligible for the pro rata calculation.
+ Do independent contractors or freelancers count?
Independent contractors (1099) are not included in the pro rata headcount, which is based on W-2 employees. However, if your newsroom relies heavily on contractors, you can reference that workforce structure in the optional needs-based adjustment, which exists specifically for organizations whose impact isn’t fully captured by W-2 headcount.
+ A journalist on my staff just left. Do I count them as part of my total?
No. Only journalists employed at your organization at the time you submit your application count toward your total.
+ Does a reporter who covers only statewide (not local) issues count?
Yes. Eligible journalists may cover local or state matters of public interest in California.
+ Our reporter lives in Nevada but covers a California community. Do they count?
No. Eligible journalists must live in California.
+ Our editor also handles some marketing. Do they count?
Eligibility is based on primary professional function. If their primary role is editorial, they count; if a substantial share is promotional, review against the excluded categories.
+ Does our publisher/owner count?
Only if they spend at least 50% of their working hours on editorial production.
+ What documentation do I need for each journalist?
For each journalist: name, start date, and employee zip code, plus an uploaded payroll summary as supporting documentation.
+ We have more than 20 journalists. What happens to the ones above 20?
The pro rata formula counts FTEs 6–20 at $10,000 each and caps the base award at $250,000, so additional headcount beyond the cap doesn’t increase the base award.
+ Can the real-time estimate change after I submit?
Your estimate reflects the information you enter. If you are awarded, you’ll have the opportunity to update your information and account for any changes that occurred during the application process.
4. Funding & Awards
+ Will the award be a grant or a tax credit?
The Civic Media Program provides direct grants to news organizations, not tax credits.
+ Can I receive both a pro rata award and a needs-based adjustment?
Yes. Organizations that haven’t reached the $250,000 cap through the formula may apply for up to double their base award, not to exceed $250,000.
+ We have fewer than one full-time journalist. Can we still apply?
Yes. Organizations with fewer than one FTE journalist may apply for a total award between $20,000 and $40,000 through the need-based adjustment. All organizations must fill out the entire application to be considered for any funding.
+ Is the needs-based adjustment guaranteed if I answer the question?
No. Answering the optional needs-based question does not guarantee additional funding.
+ How does the Geographic Allocation set-aside work?
A small portion of the pro-rata funding will be reserved to ensure each region of California has an opportunity to receive investment. The state will be divided into the 13 regions mapped out in the Governor’s California Jobs First State Economic Blueprint, which was designed over the past three years with direct local engagement to identify distinct regional economies and communities. The program will reserve $250,000 in pro-rata awards per region available exclusively to those organizations based there. Applications not funded in this initial allocation round will be put into the statewide pool and any unused funds will also return to that pool.
+ How much funding is available?
The program distributes $18.75 million in grants through a single application process, with awards up to $250,000 per organization. A $2.5 million set-aside within that total supports a needs-based adjustment.
+ When will funds be disbursed if I’m awarded?
Funds will be disbursed in Fall 2026.
+ What reporting will be required after I receive a grant?
Specific reporting requirements are determined during the awarding process and will be shared with you in advance through your grant agreement.
+ Is this a one-time grant or renewable?
This is a one-time grant.
5. The Application & Narratives
+ What does the application consist of?
Three parts: (1) an organization profile and eligibility confirmation, (2) your FTE calculation with supporting payroll documentation, and (3) three narrative responses of 250 words or fewer. You can prepare all three before you log in.
+ Can I save my application and come back to it?
Yes. Your progress is saved, so you can return and pick up where you left off anytime before the application period closes.
+ What documentation will I need to apply?
Please review the Program Guide for the full application requirements.
+ What documents should I gather before I start?
Your ethics and correction policy (publicly posted), public ownership disclosure (board list for nonprofits), proof of authorization to do business in California, basic org profile details, and payroll documentation for your journalists. Media liability insurance is optional at application but highly recommended.
+ What is the "California News Ecosystem Data" section, and does it affect my award?
This is an optional questionnaire. The information is analyzed only in aggregate and has no bearing on your award.
+ What kinds of answers are you looking for in the narratives? How detailed do I need to be?
Reviewers are looking for specific, concrete answers grounded in your community and your work—real examples, plain numbers, and clear plans rather than general mission language. Each response is capped at 250 words, so prioritize specificity over breadth.
+ Is there a word limit on the narratives?
Yes, 250 words or fewer per question.
+ Do I have to answer the needs-based question?
No. Answer it only if your pro rata award doesn’t reflect the full scale of your impact.
6. Review & Scoring
+ Who reviews applications?
An independent Review Committee from across California, spanning journalism practice, philanthropy, research, information equity, community representation, sustainability, and digital media. Neither GO-Biz nor the Advisory Board participates in review.
+ How will applications be prioritized?
All eligible applications are scored by the independent Review Committee on the three narrative responses, using a predefined rubric. Applications are funded in order of score until program funds are depleted and the rubric will be shared ahead of the application period.
+ How are applications scored?
On the three narrative responses, using a predefined rubric. Higher-scoring applications are funded first until funds are depleted.
+ Does the size of my award affect my chances of being funded?
No. The pro rata formula determines how much you could receive; your narrative scores determine the order in which applications are funded. A strong, specific narrative matters regardless of your size.
+ What does "funded until funds are depleted" mean for me?
It means awards are made in score order, so not every eligible application is guaranteed funding. A complete, compelling application improves your position in the queue.
+ How are conflicts of interest on the committee handled?
Review Committee members are required to disclose any affiliations or relationships that could present a conflict of interest. A member with a conflict involving a particular applicant recuses themselves from reviewing, scoring, or discussing that application. This process is managed by the program’s third-party administrators.
7. Support & Technical
+ Where can I get help with my application?
Three public webinars (June 30, July 7, August 4), weekly office hours every Tuesday at 2:00 PM PT throughout the application period, in-portal comments answered by program staff, and dedicated training for coalition and regional partners.
+ How do I register for the webinars?
You can register for all three webinars on the Civic Media Program Resources Page.
+ What are office hours and do I need to sign up?
Weekly drop-in sessions every Tuesday at 2:00 PM PT — bring questions, walk through eligibility, or get help calculating your FTE. You can register here: cacivicmedia.org
+ How do I ask a question specific to my organization?
Leave a comment directly in the application portal; program staff will respond.
+ Who do I contact by email?
You can reach the program team at: info@cacivicmedia.org
+ The portal isn‘t working / I can’t upload a file. What should I do?
You can reach the program team at: info@cacivicmedia.org
+ Is there support available in languages other than English?
Yes. If you need language support, reach out to the program team and we will work to accommodate your request.
info@cacivicmedia.org