Announcing the Report for America Corps Members for 2020-2021
225 journalists based in 46 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.
Our Movement
We are made up of talented, service-oriented journalists who serve in under-covered areas, providing Americans with the information they need to improve their communities and hold powerful institutions accountable.
Newsrooms & Beats
Newsrooms from nearly every state and Puerto Rico are host to our RFA corps members. Beats include Native American communities; climate change; hurricane aftermath; healthcare; prisons and mental health; and more.
Reporting with Real Impact
For poor Californians, bad teeth lead to discrimination
Low-income residents have few options for quality dental care, RFA corps member Manuela Tobias reported. Bad teeth mean bad jobs, which propels a cycle of poverty.
Manuela Tobias
Report for America corps member
Questionable bills surround lobbying effort
A Louisiana law firm charged Utah’s poorest county $500,000, to lobby against the expansion of Bears Ears National Monument, corps member, Zak Podmore reported after demanding public records. The fees including one $109,500 bill the county was charged—and paid—twice. (Zak got the county a refund.)
Zak Podmore
Report for America corps member
Training and Support
Corps members receive intensive training to prepare them for the year ahead by world-class editors, technologists, academics and other supporters of the future of journalism, plus continued support and mentoring coordinated by the Ground Truth Project throughout their term of service.
Inspire a New Generation of Journalists
To help connect corps members to the community in a different way, our journalists are required to do a direct service project, which often includes middle or high school students. Through these projects, corps members mentor the next generation of journalists—and teach crucial skills and habits for all young people: listening, empathy, open-mindedness and intellectual honesty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will I work?
You will work for a local news organization that has competed for the right to host you. Isn’t that flattering? They might be a public radio station, a newspaper, a TV station, a website — really any high-quality local news organization that can put you to great use. The first few are in Appalachia.
Where will I apply?
The application for the 2019 reporting corps is now closed. The 2020 corps application process will open in December and close in January.
How much will I get paid?
The salary is set by the local newsroom, and is usually equivalent to the starting salary. That varies by region but will usually land somewhere between $28,000 and $45,000.
Do I get to pick my own city or town?
You do get to express preferences, though we don’t guarantee you’ll get your top picks. You can also select “send me where I’m most needed.”