National service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered communities | 2025-2026 corps member apps close Feb. 3!Report for America is a national service program that places emerging journalists into local newsrooms across the country to report on under-covered issues.

Core values

- It addresses the issue of "news deserts" by providing timely and relevant local news, which is crucial for community engagement, government accountability, and reducing political polarization[1][4][5].
- The program has placed over 600 early-career reporters in local newsrooms, improving the sustainability of these newsrooms and enhancing community trust in news[2][4].
- Report for America's reporting has led to tangible positive changes, such as holding governments accountable, driving environmental improvements, and addressing social issues like homelessness[4].
- The program promotes diverse and inclusive reporting, with almost half of the corps members being journalists of color and one-third being bilingual, which helps in reflecting the communities they serve[4].