California Civic Media Program

About the Program

The California Civic Media Program is a public-private partnership, equally funded by the State of California and Google, to support the work of California’s journalists and strengthen community engagement statewide. The program is guided by regular convenings of the Civic Media Program Advisory Board, and the application process is independently administered.

Mission Statement

Every Californian deserves access to accurate, well-sourced information about their community. By expanding access to local, ethnic, and community media, supporting newsroom sustainability and diversity, and strengthening California’s press corps to reflect the communities it serves, the Civic Media Program aims to close information gaps, empower people to participate in civic life, and build stronger, healthier, more connected communities across the state.

Program Application Website

The California Civic Media Program website is now live, where you can learn about the program’s guidelines, check your eligibility, pre-register your account, and apply once the application portal opens Monday, July 6, 2026. The application period closes Friday, August 21, 2026, and awards will be announced Fall 2026.

Please also visit the program website to sign up for the latest updates via email. For any questions about applying for the program, contact the application team here.

Visit the Site

Advisory Board

The Civic Media Program Advisory Board is comprised of nine California news industry leaders who will regularly convene throughout 2026 to inform the approach and guidelines of the program.

Arturo Carmona
President of the Latino Media Collaborative

Latino Media Collaborative Appointment

Chuck Corra
Associate Director of Policy & Advocacy at LION Publishers

LION Publishers Appointment

Erik Cushman
Publisher at Monterey County Weekly

California News Publishers Association Appointment

Julian Do
Co-Director of American Community Media

American Community Media Appointment

Sean Emery
President of the Media Guild of the West & Journalist at SCNG

Media Guild of the West Appointment

Jeff Glasser
General Counsel at the Los Angeles Times

California News Publishers Association Appointment

Marian Kaanon
President and CEO of the Stanislaus Community Foundation

At-Large Appointment

Julie Patel Liss
Head of Journalism, California State University, Los Angeles

At-Large Appointment

Regina Brown Wilson
Executive Director of California Black Media

California Black Media Appointment

Public Meetings and Resources: Advisory Board meetings will be accessible to the public. Meetings and related resources will be posted below in advance.

Timeline

June 2026: Program Guidelines Released and Application Website Launched

July 6, 2026: Application Window Opens

August 21, 2026: Application Window Closes

Fall 2026: Awards Announced

Please continue to check this page for updates, as more details regarding the program timeline will be added throughout the year.

Q&A

How was the advisory board selected and when will they meet?

The advisory board members were selected from a list of news industry organizations predesignated in statute, with two at-large seats chosen by GO-Biz. The advisory board meetings will be publicly noticed and accessible to the public.

How does the program work and what kinds of organizations qualify for the program?

Guidance on the program, qualifications, and application process can be found on the program website.

Who is the third-party administrator for the state funds and how was the organization selected?

James B. McClatchy Foundation was selected as the third-party administrator for the state funds following a thorough RFP process. The Foundation is a California-based nonprofit with a track record of administering multimillion-dollar journalism and newsroom grant programs. For more information about the organization, please visit their website.

Who is the third-party administrator for the private funds?

Google has selected Journalism Funding Partners (JFP) as their third-party administrator. JFP is a national grant making organization with a history of managing multimillion-dollar news and local journalism initiatives. They will work alongside the James B. McClatchy Foundation to distribute private funds in accordance with the state funds, ensuring there will be a unified application and award process. For more information about JFP, please visit their website.

Additional Questions?

For any questions regarding board meetings and materials, please email GO-Biz staff at CACivicMedia@gobiz.ca.gov. For all other questions regarding the application process, please email mailto:info@cacivicmedia.org.