LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Press Association Foundation (MPAF) has awarded Community Journalism Grants to Flint Beat and The Newberry News, supporting projects that strengthen local reporting, encourage community engagement and help newsrooms pursue innovative journalism initiatives.
Flint Beat received a $5,000 grant to launch a six-month public health accountability reporting project serving Flint and Genesee County. The initiative will examine critical issues including gun violence, environmental and maternal health, healthcare and food access, behavioral health, and government policies affecting community health.
Flint Beat plans to produce at least 10 original accountability stories, including two enterprise or investigative reports and two multimedia explainers. Reporting will incorporate public records, data analysis and interviews to examine government spending, program effectiveness and community health challenges.
The Foundation also awarded a partial grant to The Newberry News to support “What’s Your Story?” — a yearlong series featuring 52 residents from throughout the newspaper’s rural coverage area.
The weekly profiles will introduce readers to their neighbors, strengthen community connections and help the more than 140-year-old newspaper attract new audiences. Grant funding will support freelance assistance, photography equipment and technology improvements. “These projects demonstrate exactly what we hoped to accomplish with the Community Journalism Grant program,” said Brad Thompson, MPA Foundation president and president of Detroit Legal News Publishing. “Local newsrooms know what matters to their communities, but limited resources often prevent them from pursuing worthwhile projects. We want to help close that gap.” Thompson emphasized that the grants represent investments in the future of Michigan journalism.
“Whether it’s holding government accountable or introducing readers to the people who make their communities special, local journalism plays an essential role,” Thompson said. “These grants give newsrooms opportunities to try new approaches, strengthen their reporting and build lasting relationships with readers.”
The Community Journalism Grant program supports Michigan news organizations pursuing reporting projects, new storytelling initiatives and other efforts that strengthen local journalism.
About the MPA Foundation: The Michigan Press Association Foundation supports quality journalism through scholarships, grants, education and programs designed to strengthen Michigan’s newsrooms and communities.
Flint Beat received a $5,000 grant to launch a six-month public health accountability reporting project serving Flint and Genesee County. The initiative will examine critical issues including gun violence, environmental and maternal health, healthcare and food access, behavioral health, and government policies affecting community health.
Flint Beat plans to produce at least 10 original accountability stories, including two enterprise or investigative reports and two multimedia explainers. Reporting will incorporate public records, data analysis and interviews to examine government spending, program effectiveness and community health challenges.
The Foundation also awarded a partial grant to The Newberry News to support “What’s Your Story?” — a yearlong series featuring 52 residents from throughout the newspaper’s rural coverage area.
The weekly profiles will introduce readers to their neighbors, strengthen community connections and help the more than 140-year-old newspaper attract new audiences. Grant funding will support freelance assistance, photography equipment and technology improvements. “These projects demonstrate exactly what we hoped to accomplish with the Community Journalism Grant program,” said Brad Thompson, MPA Foundation president and president of Detroit Legal News Publishing. “Local newsrooms know what matters to their communities, but limited resources often prevent them from pursuing worthwhile projects. We want to help close that gap.” Thompson emphasized that the grants represent investments in the future of Michigan journalism.
“Whether it’s holding government accountable or introducing readers to the people who make their communities special, local journalism plays an essential role,” Thompson said. “These grants give newsrooms opportunities to try new approaches, strengthen their reporting and build lasting relationships with readers.”
The Community Journalism Grant program supports Michigan news organizations pursuing reporting projects, new storytelling initiatives and other efforts that strengthen local journalism.
About the MPA Foundation: The Michigan Press Association Foundation supports quality journalism through scholarships, grants, education and programs designed to strengthen Michigan’s newsrooms and communities.
