Every Voice, Every Vote awards $1.4 million to expand civic news and engagement
The coalition, organized by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism, will support local reporting, community conversations, and civic education before and after Philadelphia’s 2027 municipal elections
PHILADELPHIA — Every Voice, Every Vote today announced $1.415 million in grants to 46 Philadelphia media and community partners to help residents understand the issues shaping their neighborhoods, connect with local government, and participate in civic life.
As part of the coalition’s 15-month program, the awards will support 30 media and 16 community recipients, funding projects that range from multilingual reporting and student-led journalism to housing policy accountability, voter education, and neighborhood conversations. Building on the coalition’s established reporting and community partnerships, this cycle places greater emphasis on reaching new and younger audiences through video, social media platforms, and independent media makers. Together, these efforts will expand access to trusted civic information and create opportunities for Philadelphians to make their priorities heard by candidates ahead of the city’s 2027 municipal elections and by city government thereafter.
Every Voice, Every Vote is organized by The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Lead support is provided by the William Penn Foundation with additional funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Philadelphia Health Partnership, the Wyncote Foundation, Judy and Peter Leone, and the Lenfest Institute.
Grants range from $10,000 to $100,000, with $1.04 million supporting media projects and $375,000 supporting community projects.
Media organizations, including Madre Tierra, Indonesian Lantern, New Mainstream Press, WURD Radio, and Philadelphia Gay News, will cover local issues through reporting and conversations rooted in the communities they serve.
Chalkbeat, Hall Monitor, Green Philly, and The Philadelphia Citizen will explore education, housing, and environmental issues through accountability reporting, neighborhood journalism, and solutions-focused coverage. The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Tribune, and WHYY will provide broader reporting and engagement around key city issues, including coverage of upcoming EVEV quantitative public opinion research.
Community organizations, including Ceiba, Congreso, Woori Center, Children First, and Committee of Seventy, will help residents make their voices heard and participate in civic processes. Youth-focused partners, including Big Picture Alliance, the Philadelphia Student Press Association, Vote that Jawn, PA Youth Vote, and PhillyBOLT, will create opportunities for young Philadelphians to tell their communities’ stories and take part in civic life.
“Philadelphians need trusted information and meaningful opportunities to shape the decisions that affect their lives,” said Lenfest Institute Head of Philadelphia Programs Shawn Mooring. “These partners bring deep relationships with their communities and creative approaches to reporting, listening, and civic engagement. This investment will help more residents understand local issues, make their voices heard, and hold decision-makers accountable.”
Launched ahead of Philadelphia’s 2023 municipal elections, Every Voice, Every Vote brings together local media, community organizations, and independent civic content creators. The coalition has grown into Philadelphia’s largest-ever collaborative journalism and community engagement effort, supporting more than 365 civic engagement projects, content in more than 15 languages, and over 200 collaborations among and between media and community groups since its founding.
This next phase builds on that foundation while expanding how civic information is produced and shared. Partners will use formats such as short-form video, youth-produced media, and creator collaborations to connect with audiences beyond their existing readerships and bring more voices into conversations about Philadelphia’s future.
Learn more about Every Voice, Every Vote and sign up for project updates at everyvoice-everyvote.org, or follow on Instagram @voicevotephilly. Organizations interested in joining the coalition or supporting the project can contact voicevotephilly@lenfestinstitute.org.
The full list of funded partners and their projects follows: