Organization that houses Report for America and Report for the World unveils a unified identity focused on the future of local news in the U.S. and around the globe
Boston, MA — Today, the nonprofit organization that is home to Report for America and Report for the World unveiled its new name: Report Local. The name reflects the organization’s sharpened mission to strengthen community-rooted journalism in the United States and around the world at a moment when reliable local information is essential to civic life.
Over the past several years, the organization has undergone a strategic transformation to focus exclusively on its two flagship programs, which together have supported nearly 1,000 journalists and more than 500 newsrooms around the world. With that evolution complete, Report Local now steps forward with a clear identity that unifies the work already happening across its global network.
“Today marks an exciting moment in the history of this organization and its flagship programs,” said Rob Zeaske, CEO of Report Local. “With our new identity, Report Local is positioned to respond to the crisis in journalism across the United States and around the world by delivering more accessible, reliable local news to communities and building more sustainable, robust local news ecosystems.”
A Name That Reflects What We’ve Become
In 2025, the organization exited its longtime investment in content and editorial work through The GroundTruth Project to focus fully on scaling its flagship programs. After a year of conversations with partners, we made the decision to transition to an organizational name that better represented our work and future focus. Report for America and Report for the World embody a journalist-first approach to strengthening newsrooms and rebuilding resilient local journalism ecosystems. Report Local serves as the home for this work and is built to bring these proven, powerful programs to more communities.
With Report Local, the organization now has:
- A unified identity that connects its U.S. and international programming
- A clearer public mission grounded in expanding coverage, rebuilding trust, and strengthening local news infrastructure
- A forward-looking platform for innovation, partnerships, and philanthropic growth
“Report for America and Report for the World have each delivered significant results, and this repositioning reflects our focus on scalable impact at the hyperlocal, regional, and global levels,” said Joanne Heyman, chair of Report Local’s Board of Directors.
What Report Local Will Do
Report Local supports and strengthens independent newsrooms through two flagship programs:
Report for America: A national service program that recruits, places, trains, and retains the country’s most powerful pipeline of journalists to work in America’s under-covered communities and on America’s under-covered beats.
Report for the World: A global program that identifies and strengthens the next generation of local newsrooms — supporting journalists, developing newsroom sustainability, and supporting resilient media ecosystems.
Together, these programs help newsrooms:
- Expand coverage on under-reported issues
- Strengthen trust with their audiences
- Build financial sustainability through training and coaching
- Convene networks for shared learning and mutual support
- Navigate a rapidly changing information landscape
Report Local is a global leader in strengthening local journalism around the world. The organization provides the shared strategy, infrastructure, training, fundraising support, and cross-program collaboration that enable these programs, and the newsrooms they serve, to thrive in the next chapter of local news.
A Future Focused on Community-Rooted Journalism
The renaming comes at a critical time for journalism worldwide. Local newsrooms face mounting financial pressure, shrinking trust, and rapidly shifting information systems. Report Local is designed to meet that moment with clarity and purpose by supporting new local reporting in communities across the globe.
Reportlocal.org is now live, with expanded resources and a full website coming later in 2026.
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About Report Local
Report Local is a nonprofit organization strengthening local journalism across the U.S. and around the world. As the parent organization of Report for America and Report for the World, we are a global leader in supporting newsrooms with journalism talent and training, revenue and sustainability support, and shared infrastructure. We believe local journalism is essential to accountability and community connection. Through our programs, we help newsrooms expand critical coverage, rebuild trust, and thrive in the next chapter of local news.