In recognition of The Maine Monitor’s impactful journalism and the need for more local, independent journalism in Maine, the national, nonpartisan venture philanthropy organization American Journalism Project has awarded The Monitor a $1 million grant.
The three-year grant will help the nonprofit news organization substantially enhance its outreach, engagement, and operational capacity, which will lead to expanding its journalism to more corners of Maine. It was announced July 13 by AJP, following a competitive, nationwide application process.
“This grant, along with AJP’s coaching and shared expertise, will be transformational over the next three years,” said Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm, The Monitor’s executive director. “Our newsroom has tripled in four years, and with that growth we’ve reached more communities across the state than ever before. But there are still Mainers who don’t have access to the accountability and civic journalism they deserve. By investing in our outreach and revenue capabilities, AJP is making it possible for us to close that gap — reaching more readers, in more corners of Maine, for years to come.”
The investments AJP makes in nonprofit local news outlets are designed to “help each organization strengthen its business operations, diversify revenue, deepen audience relationships, and build the leadership and operational capacity needed to grow its impact,” according to an announcement. The American Journalism Project also announced grants to The Richmonder and NC Local.
“Great local journalism deserves equally strong organizations behind it. The organizations we’re investing in today have already demonstrated exceptional journalism, strong leadership, and deep connections to their communities,” said Sarabeth Berman, CEO of AJP.
“AJP is helping us build the business and engagement capabilities to not just sustain our nonprofit news organization, but to fortify it for the future,” Schweitzer-Bluhm said, adding that she was particularly excited about the potential to expand outreach and events. “With the support of AJP, we will be able to foster more community connections with our journalism, through outreach activities and events.”
The Monitor is published by the nonprofit Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. The Center was founded in 2009 to produce the independent local journalism Maine needs, and to revive critical investigative and in-depth reporting.
In November 2025, The Monitor launched Monitor Local, an initiative that provides news coverage for rural communities that would otherwise lack local civic journalism. This civic news initiative was in direct response to reader feedback and listening sessions across the state. Monitor Local currently covers Franklin, Somerset, Oxford and Washington counties.
“AJP’s grant will strengthen our core nonprofit news capacities and in turn will accelerate the growth of our journalism, shoring up civic accountability for citizens who rely on us for information, connection and community,” said Emily Barr, board president of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting.
Over the years, because of The Monitor’s reporting, Maine has funded a public defender program, implemented new mining regulations, and required accountability for opioid settlement funding. Since the 2025 launch of Monitor Local, local authorities have enhanced their transparency and accountability and seen increased citizen participation in their communities.
“We know Mainers rely on The Monitor for insightful journalism and the information they need to be engaged in the future of our state,” said editor Kate Cough, “and there is still a huge need for our reporting. We are excited about the potential to do more accountability journalism, bring Monitor Local to communities asking for its civic news for their towns, and expand the Monitor information hubs we see as a vital service to Mainers.”
For over 16 years, the Center has kept its reporting free to all and free to republish by fellow news organizations. More than 17,000 people now receive The Monitor’s newsletters and 75 news outlets republish its reporting.
