Monetary prizes for local news outlets will be announced at the end of November
The Vermont Journalism Coalition announces the launch of the second annual Vermont Local Civic Journalism Awards. The coalition, a new professional group founded last year, encourages all eligible media outlets, publications or programs to apply.
The Vermont Secretary of State’s Office and Vermont Community Foundation have teamed up for the second year to fund the awards with $50,000 each for a total of $100,000. A panel of judges convened by the University of Vermont Center for Community News will determine which applicants will receive awards of either $5,000 or $10,000.
News organizations working in all forms of media are potentially eligible. The three criteria for eligibility are that the outlet, publication or program is based in Vermont or a neighboring state; employs at least one professional journalist; and covers municipal and community issues, people and events in Vermont as a primary focus.
“The Vermont Local Civic Journalism Awards are meant to celebrate and support regional and hyper-local Vermont news outlets,” said Kristen Fountain, the coalition’s newly appointed executive director. “Without them, we would know far less about our communities.”
“These are the newspapers, websites, newsletters and programs that keep you up to date on what the members of your select board and school district are doing,” she said. “They share a neighbor’s latest art project, introduce you to a new business and let you know who kicked the winning high school soccer goal.”
Applications are being accepted online now through October 30, 2026. Awardees will be announced in late November.
The judging panel will be three to five journalism academics, advocates for local news and retired Vermont journalists. They are chosen to be unaffiliated with any applicant. More specifics about the criteria they will use can be found in the application.
The Vermont Journalism Coalition advocated for the award appropriation with the Vermont Legislature. The organization is not directly involved in the awards and. membership in the coalition will not be a factor considered by the judges.
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