This letter of interest outlines a funding opportunity to support a nonprofit newsroom dedicated exclusively to reporting on election administration and how elections function. This sample has been anonymized and minimally redacted to protect funder, organizational, and individual confidentiality.
Letter of Interest
Election Administration Reporting
Redacted institutional funder
August 2024
Who We Are
The organization operates multiple local newsrooms across key battleground and non-battleground states, alongside a national desk that reports on nationwide trends and federal policy actions affecting voters. Its mission is grounded in the belief that local journalism is essential to civic engagement — and that democracy functions only as well as the systems that administer elections.
Reporting Priorities
The newsroom does not cover political campaigns or electoral “horse races.” Instead, its reporting focuses on the policies, systems, and administrative decisions that shape how elections are run.
Coverage areas include voting access, election security, voter roll maintenance, early and mail-in voting, accessibility for voters with disabilities, and efforts to undermine election workers or spread misinformation that erodes trust in elections.
Recent reporting has resulted in measurable real-world impact, including:
prompting election officials to revise guidance and procedures related to ballot privacy;
countering widespread misinformation through evidence-based reporting cited by policymakers and practitioners;
uncovering administrative gaps in voting system testing that led to immediate procedural changes at the county level;
informing outreach strategies for civic organizations working with underrepresented voter populations;
influencing public discourse across the political spectrum through widely cited explanatory reporting;
elevating the experiences of voters with disabilities and highlighting disparities between state practices and federal accessibility standards.
Track Record for Impact
The impact of this reporting extends beyond individual election cycles. Because election administration is a year-round function, sustained coverage is essential — particularly during periods of heightened political pressure.
In advance of the 2024 general election, reporters from this newsroom have been recognized nationally for their expertise in election systems and administration. Staff members regularly contribute to industry conversations, appear in national media, and support peer journalists through training and professional development efforts.
This combination of subject-matter expertise, local presence, and national perspective positions the newsroom to meet the anticipated challenges of a high-stakes election year with accuracy, depth, and credibility.
Request for Support
Voting policy debates intensified following the 2020 election and continue to place new demands on local election officials. This project will focus on the practical effects of these debates on election administrators and their ability to serve voters effectively.
Supporting this work requires a fully staffed newsroom, including editorial leadership, reporters, editors, engagement specialists, data and visual journalists, and operational support teams. The project is further supported by centralized revenue, finance, strategy, and people operations to ensure sustainability, accountability, and editorial independence.