A free and vibrant press is one of the cornerstones of democracy. Local news outlets inform the public, hold elected officials accountable, and provide a forum for civic debate.

The traditional business model of local news enterprises - newspapers, local TV broadcasters, and community radio stations - has been disrupted by technology and battered by economic downturns, including the COVID-19 pandemic. In some cases, corporate interests have neglected or stripped away resources from our local news outlets, diminishing the quality and quantity of their work. The events of 2020 have brought many of these pressures to a head.

The Coachella Valley Journalism Foundation aims to improve and expand the work of news organizations in the Coachella Valley to create a better community for all. In the process, we hope to help create new, sustainable models for local journalism.