California Civic Media Program Awards $18.75 Million

The inaugural round of grants supports original, fact-based journalism across the state's 13 economic development regions.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Media

California Civic Media Program Awards $18.75 Million

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The California Civic Media Program announced its inaugural grant awards totaling $18.75 million on Monday, Nov. 2. Of 351 applicants, 214 received funding, roughly 72%.

Why it matters

The program aims to help close community news gaps by funding news organizations doing original, fact-based journalism with one-time grants. For California readers, it directly affects local outlets in counties such as Calaveras.

The program allocated $16.25 million to 184 media organizations through a pro-rata formula and $2.5 million to 125 smaller publications through a needs-based formula. Exact individual award amounts beyond these formulas were not detailed in the extraction.

The players

California Civic Media Program

A state initiative established through the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development that funds original, fact-based local journalism with one-time grants.

Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)

The California state agency that established and administers the Civic Media Program.

Google

The technology company that contributed a matching $10 million donation to launch the California Civic Media Program alongside $10 million in state funds.

Calaveras Enterprise

A local news outlet serving Calaveras County that received funding from the program.

The details

Grant funds may be used for payroll with no restriction on news assignments or coverage. Applicants needed a current Statement of Information on file with the California Secretary of State and at least three years of operation producing original, fact-based content on state or local matters of public interest.

Aug. 2025: Calaveras Enterprise submitted its program application.
Sept. 2025: Amendments were inserted into Assembly and Senate bills 155.
Nov. 2, 2026: Grant awards were announced.
Nov. 9, 2026: A webinar for grantees is scheduled.
Dec. 4, 2026: Grant agreements are due for payment before year end.

Industry Dynamics

The awards are the first distribution from a state-backed fund that pairs $10 million in public money with a matching $10 million from Google, marking an effort to sustain local newsrooms through public-private funding. Whether this model expands depends on outcomes grantees must report over the coming year.

Grant funds can be used for payroll with no restriction on news assignments, which may help sustain reporting staff at recipient outlets. Local readers in regions such as Calaveras County may see continued coverage from funded publications as the program's money is spent.

The takeaway

The program is a first-round test of combining state funds with private matching money to support fact-based local journalism. Its reported outcomes over the next year will show whether the model is worth repeating in the planned second round.

What happens next

Grantees must report on outcomes over the coming year, a webinar for grantees is scheduled for Nov. 9, 2026, and grant agreements are due for payment before year end on Dec. 4, 2026. A second round of grants is expected to open for applications next summer.