Center for Cooperative Media

What Center for Cooperative Media does

The Center for Cooperative Media (CCM) is a grant-funded program within Montclair State University's College of Communication and Media, founded in 2012 in response to downsizing of New Jersey news organizations. It operates the NJ News Commons, a free member network connecting more than 300 local news and information providers across New Jersey, and runs the Collaborative Journalism Resource Hub — established in 2025 with a $2.5 million Knight Foundation grant — which provides coaching, seed funding up to $50K per collaborative, and networking for journalism collaboratives across the United States. Its technology portfolio includes the Collaborative Journalism Database (a global, searchable catalog of collaborative journalism projects available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese), the NJ News Ecosystem Map identifying 779 outlets, the Story Exchange platform for cross-publisher content embedding, and the Audience Explorer analytics dashboard for small publishers. Distribution also runs through the annual Collaborative Journalism Summit, training workshops, fellowships (Civic Science, Statewide Reporting, Investigative Reporting), Spanish translation services, ethnic media programs, and a statewide content-sharing network; in 2026, Montclair State University assumed operations of NJ PBS, extending the Center's institutional distribution reach.

Name

Center for Cooperative Media

Legal name

Center for Cooperative Media

Website

https://centerforcooperativemedia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Center for Cooperative Media is a Montclair State University program that coordinates a free statewide network of 300+ New Jersey news providers and operates a national Collaborative Journalism Resource Hub, funded primarily by foundations including the Knight Foundation, Geraldine R. Dodge, and Democracy Fund.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Journalism Support Services

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (51612)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Investigative & Nonprofit News Organizations (MPAJADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

National Public Television Networks & Member Stations (PBS-style) (MPABADAA), National Public Radio Networks & Member Stations (NPR-style) (MPABADAB)

Keywords

• Collaborative journalism
• Local news network
• Journalism training
• Media ecosystem research
• Newsroom fellowships

Headquarters

HQ city

Montclair

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: The Center is a primarily grant-funded program. It receives operational funding from Montclair State University (office space, infrastructure, director salary) and project/program grants from foundations including Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Democracy Fund, Rita Allen Foundation, Knight Foundation, Abrams Foundation, Independence Public Media Foundation, Google News Initiative, and NJ Civic Information Consortium. A major $2.5 million Knight Foundation grant was secured in 2025 for the Collaborative Journalism Resource Hub.
2. Event Sponsorships: The Center generates revenue through sponsorships for its annual Collaborative Journalism Summit and other events. Sponsors have included Knight Foundation, Lenfest Institute, Facebook, Airtable, and others.
3. Donations: Individual donations are accepted through Montclair State's crowdfunding platform to support operations and programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Center for Cooperative Media operates the NJ News Commons, a free statewide membership network connecting more than 300 local news and information providers across New Jersey to share content, coordinate reporting projects, and access training and translation services. It also operates the Collaborative Journalism Resource Hub, which provides coaching, seed funding (up to $50k per collaborative), and networking to support journalism collaboratives nationwide, and hosts the annual Collaborative Journalism Summit.

Product overview

The Center for Cooperative Media is a grant-funded program within Montclair State University's College of Communication and Media. It operates as a collaborative media support organization rather than a traditional software product company. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected programs and services centered on its flagship NJ News Commons network (connecting 300+ local news providers) and the Collaborative Journalism Resource Hub (a national resource for journalism collaboratives). Key offerings include: the Collaborative Journalism Database (global project catalog), the annual Collaborative Journalism Summit, NJ College News Commons, Spanish Translation Project, South Jersey Information Equity Project, U.S. Democracy Day initiative, various fellowships (Civic Science, Statewide Reporting, Investigative Reporting), AI training resources, the Daily News Roundup newsletter, and the Excellence in NJ Local News Awards. These programs work together to grow and strengthen local journalism in New Jersey and beyond through collaboration, training, research, and resource-sharing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NJ News Commons: Flagship project of the Center for Cooperative Media, a broad network and coalition of news organizations and people across New Jersey working to provide quality news and information
• Collaborative Journalism Summit
• Collaborative Journalism Resource Hub
• Collaborative Journalism Database
• NJ College News Commons
• Stories of Atlantic City
• Loved + Lost
• South Jersey Information Equity Project
• U.S. Democracy Day

Products and services

• NJ News Commons Free statewide member network connecting 300+ local news and information providers across New Jersey, enabling content sharing, collaborative reporting projects, professional development training, translation services, and fellowship opportunities.
• Collaborative Journalism Resource Hub National resource center providing coaching, seed funding (up to $50k per collaborative), and networking to support journalism collaboratives across the United States.
• Collaborative Journalism Database Searchable global database cataloging collaborative journalism projects to facilitate learning and research; available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
• Collaborative Journalism Summit Annual national conference bringing together journalists, media executives, and funders for case studies, workshops, networking, and collaboration planning on collaborative journalism.
• NJ College News Commons Network of student journalists, advisors, publishers and media organizations from NJ colleges (Montclair State, Rutgers, NJIT, TCNJ, FDU, Rowan, NJCU) collaborating on shared coverage initiatives including climate reporting.
• Spanish Translation Project Service providing Spanish translations of news content for distribution through 10+ ethnic media outlets serving Latino communities in New Jersey.
• Rita Allen Foundation Civic Science Fellowship Fellowship program embedding journalists in civic science initiatives to report on science and public engagement.
• Grow + Strengthen Program Program expanding and fortifying the news ecosystem in New Jersey through micro-grants, coaching sessions, and peer-to-peer meet-ups for news entrepreneurs.
• GNI Sustainability Accelerator Program providing dedicated coaching, expert audits, and peer collaboration to help local news organizations build stronger foundations for long-term sustainability.
• Statewide Reporting Fellowship Statewide fellowship supporting reporters covering immigration, housing, education, and other vital stories across New Jersey communities.
• Investigative Reporting Fellowships Statewide investigative journalism training program for New Jersey-based newsrooms.
• Peer Learning + Collaboration (PLAC) Fund Grant fund facilitating peer learning, relationship building, and collaboration among journalists through travel and convening grants.
• Diverse Sources Database Resource providing access to diverse expert sources for journalists to enhance inclusive reporting in New Jersey.
• U.S. Democracy Day Collaborative reporting initiative focused on covering democracy-related issues across the United States, coordinated by the Center with newsrooms in all 50 states.
• South Jersey Information Equity Project (SJIEP) Fellowship program addressing information access disparities in South Jersey through community-focused journalism, training residents as local reporters.
• NJ Ethnic and Community Media Expo Statewide event bringing together community journalists, ethnic press, and local news startups to share knowledge and resources.
• AI Training and Coaching Training and coaching programs to help journalists responsibly integrate AI tools into their reporting and newsroom operations.
• Excellence in NJ Local News Awards Annual awards recognizing outstanding reporting by New Jersey journalists across categories including local news innovation, collaboration, and investigative reporting.

Quantifiable outcome

• Connected 300+ local news and information providers through NJ News Commons network
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Montclair State University (College of Communication and Media)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center is a grant-funded program within the College of Communication and Media at Montclair State University. The university provides operational support including the director's salary, office space, infrastructure, IT, development, marketing, and administrative assistance. Keith Strudler is director of the College, and Dan Gurskis is dean of the College of the Arts.
• NJ Civic Information ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center serves as the host institution for the NJ Civic Information Consortium, a first-in-the-nation public funding experiment for civic media. Montclair State University was chosen as the host university, with the Center providing back office and logistical services. The Center also receives grants from the Consortium.
• Solutions Journalism NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center collaborates with Solutions Journalism Network on multiple initiatives including the Local Media Project (Knight-funded), Voting Block collaborations, and Peer Learning + Collaboration Fund. SJN co-developed the Collaborative Journalism Workbook and shared playbook for collaboration.
• NJ Spotlight NewscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey content partner providing COVID-19 stories, election coverage, and voter guides for free republication by NJ News Commons members. Co-hosted 2014 Election Night Open Newsroom. Collaborated on In the Shadow of Liberty immigration reporting project. Partner in election coverage and content-sharing network development.
• Reveal from the Center for Investigative ReportingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinated the Dirty Little Secrets environmental contamination collaboration and Voting Block election reporting projects. Provided coordination and production support for statewide collaborative initiatives.
• Free PressmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Stories of Atlantic City restorative narrative project and South Jersey Information Equity Project. Helped conceive the NJ Civic Information Consortium. Provided leadership in news ecosystem initiatives and community engagement work.
• Images and Voices of Hope (ivoh)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Stories of Atlantic City project, providing expertise in restorative narrative storytelling approach for community journalism.
• Stockton UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Stories of Atlantic City project. Hosted workshops at the Carnegie Center and collaborated on reporting projects with community members.
• CUNY Graduate School of Journalism (Center for Community and Ethnic Media)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to host summits for community and ethnic media leaders in the tristate area. Collaborated on ethnic media initiatives including the Voices That Must Be Heard project.
• Resolve PhiladelphiasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in pre-Summit convening for the 2019 Collaborative Journalism Summit. Provides peer learning and collaboration frameworks adapted by the Center.
• City BureausupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Peer Learning + Collaboration Fund gatherings and peer learning workshops. Shared model for document-based journalism and community engagement.
• New Jersey Council for the HumanitiesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-launched the South Jersey Community Reporters program providing fellowships up to $5,100 each for Black community members to train as local reporters. Partnership combines journalism expertise with public humanities framework.
• Pro News CoachessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit staffed with former Wall Street Journal editors and reporters offering free coaching and editing for eligible NJ newsrooms through Center partnership.
• NorthJersey.commajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Loved + Lost COVID-19 memorial project, transforming it from a single-newsroom effort into a statewide collaboration. Ongoing content sharing and coverage coordination partner.
• CiviliosupportingTechnology or IntegrationPartner in launching statewide civic information service to make NJ public meetings more accessible. AI-assisted platform designed to help residents, journalists, and researchers follow government decisions.
• Blue Engine CollaborativesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministers the GNI sustainability accelerator providing coaching, expert audits, and peer collaboration for local news organizations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Free Press: Media justice nonprofit that advocates for local journalism and helped conceive the NJ Civic Information Consortium. Direct partner on South Jersey Information Equity Project and Stories of Atlantic City.
• Solutions Journalism Network: Nonprofit that trains journalists in solutions-oriented reporting. Direct collaborator with the Center on the Knight-funded Local Media Project, Voting Block, and Peer Learning + Collaboration Fund — making it both partner and closest comparable.
• LION Publishers: National membership association for local independent online news publishers. Both organizations convene local news networks, run awards programs, and provide capacity-building support to independent journalism outlets.
• Report for America: National service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to address coverage gaps. Operates a similar model of subsidizing local journalism capacity and works with many of the same foundation funders.
• Reveal (Center for Investigative Reporting): Investigative journalism nonprofit that coordinated the Dirty Little Secrets environmental contamination collaboration with the Center. Both organizations produce investigative content and convene cross-newsroom collaborations.
• National Trust for Local News: Nonprofit that acquires and operates at-risk local news outlets. Caroline Porter (Center's Impact Tracking Specialist) previously worked there, and both organizations target the same local-news sustainability problem.

Regional players

• Resolve Philadelphia: Philadelphia-based collaborative journalism nonprofit and partner on the 2019 Collaborative Journalism Summit. Comparable as a regional collaborative journalism convening organization operating in an adjacent geography.

Broad incumbents

• Online News Association: Largest digital journalism association, providing training, awards, and community for online news practitioners. Comparable in mission but operates as a professional membership body across all digital journalism rather than local-news focused.
• New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority (NJPBA): Public broadcasting authority whose NJ PBS operations were just assumed by Montclair State University (and thus the Center). Comparable as a public TV operator in the same market.

Emerging players

• Medill Local News Initiative: Northwestern University's local news research and convening program. Comparable as a university-based program that researches local news ecosystems and supports local journalism capacity.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/montclairstate
• Facebookfacebook.com/MontclairStateUniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-cooperative-media

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Center for Cooperative Media