How the Local Journalism Initiative funds news in underserved communities

Many Canadian communities have lost regular local news coverage. Small news outlets have closed, and fewer journalists report on civic issues. The Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) was created to address this problem by funding original reporting in communities lacking strong media coverage.

This program helps ensure people have access to reliable news about local governments, courts, and community issues—especially where coverage is limited.

How the Local Journalism Initiative works

The Local Journalism Initiative is a federal funding program managed by the Department of Canadian Heritage. It offers non-repayable funding to support the production of original civic journalism across Canada.

What the program funds

LJI funding supports journalism jobs and reporting capacity, but it does not cover general business expenses. Funding can be used to:

Hire journalists as employees
Pay freelance journalists
Produce original civic journalism about local and regional issues

Civic journalism includes coverage of:

Municipal and regional governments
Indigenous governance
Courts and public institutions
Community services and local decision-making

The goal is to provide underserved communities with consistent, relevant news coverage.

Who can receive LJI funding

Funding is available to eligible Canadian media organizations, such as:

Print, digital, radio, and broadcast outlets
For-profit and non-profit media organizations
Indigenous, ethnocultural, official-language minority, and rural media outlets

Applicants must be Canadian-owned and focused on producing original news content for Canadian audiences.

How funding amounts are determined

There is no fixed grant amount under the Local Journalism Initiative. Funding amounts depend on several factors:

The number of journalist positions requested
Whether journalists are employees or freelancers
The scope and reach of the proposed coverage
The available program funding for each intake period

Because funding can change, GrantHub’s program filters help you compare programs by sector and organization type, so you can see if LJI or similar programs match your newsroom’s needs.

Application and administration

The program does not fund journalists directly. Instead, it works through designated third-party administrators. These organizations manage application intakes, review proposals, and distribute funding on behalf of the federal government.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for LJI funding, your organization must:

Be Canadian-owned and operate in Canada
Produce original civic journalism for a Canadian audience
Serve an underserved community, such as rural, Indigenous, ethnocultural, or official-language minority groups
Meet any specific requirements set by the third-party administrator managing the intake

Both for-profit and non-profit organizations can apply if they focus on civic journalism. Your newsroom must also show a need for funding and a plan for covering local issues.

Application Process

Applying for LJI funding involves several steps:

Check eligibility: Review the requirements from the Department of Canadian Heritage and the current third-party administrator.
Prepare your application: Describe your organization, the community you serve, and your plan for civic journalism coverage.
Submit during intake period: Applications are only accepted during specific intake windows. Late applications will not be considered.
Wait for review: The administrator will assess your proposal and may ask for more information.
Receive funding decision: If approved, your organization will receive funding for the supported journalist positions.

For help finding open intakes and comparing your organization to program criteria, GrantHub’s search tools can save you time.

Tips for Success

Focus on civic journalism: Make sure your proposal highlights coverage of local governments, courts, or public institutions.
Use funds correctly: Only request funding for journalist salaries or freelance fees. Do not include marketing or general business costs.
Meet deadlines: Submit your application on time. Late submissions are not accepted.
Update your proposal: Even if you received LJI funding in the past, you must apply again and show how your coverage meets current program priorities.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using funding for non-journalism costs: LJI funds cannot pay for marketing, equipment, or general overhead. They are for journalism labour only.
Proposing non-civic content: Lifestyle, entertainment, or opinion-only content does not qualify.
Missing intake deadlines: Apply during the open intake period. Late applications are not reviewed.
Assuming funding is automatic for past recipients: All applicants must reapply and meet current criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Local Journalism Initiative?
The Local Journalism Initiative is a federal program that funds original civic journalism in underserved Canadian communities. It is administered by the Department of Canadian Heritage through third-party organizations.

Q: Is Local Journalism Initiative funding repayable?
No. LJI funding is non-repayable. You do not need to pay it back if you follow the program rules.

Q: Can for-profit media companies apply for LJI funding?
Yes. Both for-profit and non-profit Canadian media organizations may be eligible, as long as they meet program criteria and focus on civic journalism.

Q: What expenses does the Local Journalism Initiative cover?
The program covers journalist compensation, including salaries for hired reporters or fees paid to freelance journalists producing eligible content.

Q: Is Local Journalism Initiative funding taxable?
Government grants are usually taxable income. Media organizations should check with an accountant about their tax situation and how they use the funds.

If you manage a media organization, you may also want to explore:

Journalism Tax Credits vs Grants in Canada: What Media Businesses Should Know
Repayable vs Non-Repayable Business Funding in Canada: Program Examples Explained
How to Prepare Financial Statements for Grant Applications in Canada

Next steps

The Local Journalism Initiative is one of several programs supporting Canadian media and public-interest reporting. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada, including journalism and cultural funding, so you can quickly check which ones match your organization’s profile and funding goals.

How the Local Journalism Initiative funds news in underserved communities