Executive Director Ellen Allen announced today that Mountain State Spotlight has received a two-year grant from the Ford Foundation to support its public service, nonprofit newsroom. The foundation, based in New York, is international in scope with multiple initiatives, including promoting civic engagement, which is a hallmark of public service journalism.
According to Allen, the foundation approached Mountain State Spotlight’s leadership in May to explore their work and to request that they submit a proposal for support. The two-year award will support reporters working in the Mountain State Spotlight newsroom.
“We are moved and humbled,” Allen said. “As we sustain and grow a foundation for the public service journalism West Virginians need and deserve, the Ford Foundation’s support will ensure that Mountain State Spotlight reports on important issues affecting West Virginians from every hill, holler, and corner of our state.”
Mountain State Spotlight is a nonprofit, public service news organization that tells stories of importance to West Virginians, focusing on the issues and challenges facing their communities. Mountain State Spotlight partners with ProPublica, the American Journalism Project, and Report for America. It is funded by a combination of foundation and corporate support and individual donors.
For more information, contact Ellen Allen, ellenallen@mountainstatespotlight.org, (304) 320-2752