Arizona Local News Foundation Opens Second Round of Startup + Innovation Grants
PHOENIX — The Arizona Local News Foundation is ready to invest in the next big ideas for local journalism.
Beginning September 8, 2026, Arizona news organizations can apply for the second round of ALNF’s Startup + Innovation Grant, with individual grants of up to $10,000 available to help newsrooms launch new ideas, experiment with technology, reach new audiences and strengthen the journalism serving their communities. The Arizona Local News Foundation is grateful to receive support from the Arizona Media Association and the Arizona Community Foundation to support this round of funding.
Applications will remain open through October 15, 2026. Click on link here to apply. Read program rules here.
The new round builds on a successful first cycle that resulted in more than $55,000 awarded to eight Arizona news organizations. Those investments are already helping newsrooms test creative approaches to community engagement, digital storytelling, technology, civic information and more.
“The response to our first round made it clear that Arizona newsrooms have no shortage of innovative ideas—they just need the resources to make them happen,” said Tregg White, CEO/President of the Arizona Local News Foundation. “Whether it’s a new way to reach an underserved audience, an investment in technology or an entirely new approach to storytelling, we want newsrooms to think big and show us what’s possible.”
First-round projects included an interactive bilingual voter and civic guide from Arizona Luminaria, a new community street team from LOOKOUT, digital video and livestreaming expansion at the Painted Desert Tribune, a live community journalism podcast from Somos, expanded equipment for student journalists at Walapai Media, and a multimedia storytelling project celebrating the people and culinary traditions of the Yuma region from the Yuma Sun.
Arizona Talks and Mohave Valley News also received first-round funding for projects designed to experiment with new approaches to content and newsroom operations.
The Startup + Innovation Grant is open to eligible Arizona news organizations, with grants of up to $10,000 available per applicant.
Applications open: September 8, 2026
Application deadline: October 15, 2026
Maximum grant: $10,000
News organizations are encouraged to bring forward creative projects that expand community engagement, strengthen storytelling, reach new audiences, experiment with technology or test new approaches to building a stronger future for local news in Arizona.
Have an idea that could change how your newsroom serves its community? We want to hear it.
Interested in investing in the Startup + Innovation Grant and helping more Arizona newsrooms bring innovative ideas to life? Contact foundation@azmedia.org.
Media Contact:
Rudy Rivas
rudy@azmedia.org