Lea este artículo en español aquí.
Report for America has selected BenitoLink as a 2025 accelerator newsroom partner.
BenitoLink is thrilled to accept the opportunity to participate in this new program, which is designed to bring immediate and long-term solutions to the challenges of funding local news.
According to the Report for America website, “Report for America is a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities.” The program supports the success and sustainability of local newsrooms through recruiting and compensating a portion of the journalist’s salary. Report for America’s partnership combines emerging journalists and the creativity of local news organizations such as BenitoLink.
Over 100 newsrooms have signed on to take part in the 2025-26 cohort. Three-quarters of the newsrooms partnering with Report for America are traditional host newsrooms for core members, and a selected group, which includes BenitoLink, is participating in a pilot program designed to help newsrooms expand their business models through local philanthropy.
“This is a great opportunity for us and we hope to learn more about funding in this area so we can bring on more reporters,” said Leslie David, BenitoLink Executive Director.
“Today’s news marks an exciting expansion of our proven model,” said Kim Kleman, executive director of Report for America. “Not only are we recruiting and placing exceptional journalists in communities that need them most, but we’re significantly increasing our efforts to help newsrooms become more financially stable,” she said.
In 2026, if BenitoLink receives a reporter through the program, Report for America would offer part of the reporter’s salary—around $25,000—and BenitoLink would need to come up with an additional $30,000 to $40,000.
Report for America is designed to broaden revenue streams for news organizations by connecting with philanthropic support on a local, regional or national level. The program has supported nearly 400 newsrooms and helped them raise a total of $30 million from within their communities.
BenitoLink’s goal is to expand our team by hiring an additional full-time reporter in 2026. If you are interested in learning more about our reporting goals, contact Leslie David lesliedavid@benitolink.com or Noe Magaña noemagana@benitolink.com.
We need your help. Support local, nonprofit news! BenitoLink is a nonprofit news website that reports on San Benito County. Our team is committed to this community and providing essential, accurate information to our fellow residents. Producing local news is expensive, and community support keeps the news flowing. Please consider supporting BenitoLink, San Benito County’s public service nonprofit news.