October 16, 2024.

Good morning, everybody!

Today, BirminghamWatch was named a Press Forward grant recipient. We join this inaugural, historic cohort of more than 200 local newsrooms nationwide that are filling critical information gaps and working in service of our communities.

For more than nine years, we’ve been on the frontlines serving Birmingham, Alabama, the City Built to Change the South, and greater Jefferson County by producing public service journalism and providing information that makes a positive impact and encourages citizen engagement.

A review panel of national foundation and journalism leaders read about how our reporting is making a difference, right here in the heart of Jones Valley.

Over the years, we have:

• Produced voter guides (including our current one for the upcoming November elections);
• Provided coverage of Birmingham City Council and the Jefferson County Commission;
• Helped to raise awareness about complex issues impacting the city and region.

The $100,000 we’re receiving from Press Forward is more than just a grant. It’s a symbolic gesture that national funders are investing in BirminghamWatch and ultimately, in Birmingham and its residents.

This grant is wonderful news, but we need additional local support to sustain this work for the next ten years and beyond.

Will you help us celebrate this moment and prepare for what’s ahead by making a gift to BirminghamWatch today?

It will allow us to properly plan how we cover the upcoming municipal elections in Birmingham and identify how best to serve all of you moving forward, both on and offline. (More on those initiatives soon.)

It’d also be a great way to help us ensure our tenth year of serving you is our best yet.

Thank you again for believing in BirminghamWatch! We look forward to serving Birmingham for years to come.

Cheers,

André Natta
Executive Director, Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism