Arizona Media Association + Arizona Local News Foundation

PHOENIX – The Arizona Media Association is making a $250,000 investment in the Arizona Local News Foundation to accelerate statewide support for local news. 

This funding will expand paid newsroom internships across Arizona and launch a new Startup & Innovation Fund to support high-impact, community-serving journalism. 

The Foundation’s Intern and Fellowship Fund already provides paid newsroom internships that strengthen the pipeline of emerging Arizona journalists. In 2026, this investment will help expand access and fund a record 34 internships at $3,700 each, supporting newsrooms in every region of the state. 

Beginning in early 2026, this investment will also support the Foundation’s launch of a new Startup & Innovation Fund, offering grants of up to $10,000 to help new local newsrooms get off the ground plus fuel experimental ideas within existing news organizations. 

Every investment in the Foundation also sustains the impact of the Arizona Community Collaborative, a statewide expansion of critical storytelling currently powered by 16 full-time journalists who report about education solutions in communities across Arizona. 

“This support from the Arizona Media Association allows us to deepen our work serving communities with strong, solutions-focused local news across the state,” said Chris Kline, President & CEO of the Arizona Media Association + Arizona Local News Foundation. 

AMA Board Chair Michael Mallace added, “This investment reflects the shared commitment of Arizona’s media industry to protect, grow, and reinvent local news. By expanding internships and fueling innovation, we’re ensuring that local newsrooms and the communities they serve have the support needed to thrive.” 

For media inquiries, contact Rudy Rivas at foundation@azmedia.org.