Community College Project
FAQs
For Newsrooms
How the Community College Project works
We’re creating the largest investigative journalism initiative ever focused on American community colleges. We want to help newsrooms shine a light on their local community colleges and provide revelatory accountability journalism about these schools.
The project is built around local partnerships, yearlong reporting collaborations and shared support from Open Campus investigative editors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What potential partners should know
01
What is Open Campus trying to achieve?
We want to help local newsrooms produce impactful journalism about community colleges, which educate a large share of undergraduates but operate with minimal scrutiny.
04
How can outlets use the project support?
Open Campus gives newsrooms $75,000 to dedicate a reporter to the project, whether by hiring someone new, working with a freelancer, or backfilling an existing staff member.
02
What newsrooms are eligible?
The project is intended for U.S.-based local and statewide outlets that produce in any format. Open Campus is working with five outlets in 2026, and will expand that in future years.
05
How many stories will a reporter produce?
The pacing and number of stories depend on the focus. Projects may become a series, a major investigation with follow-ups, or a set of accountability stories.
03
How does the collaboration work?
Reporters work from their home newsrooms. Open Campus investigative editors collaborate with them day to day to conceive, shape, edit and execute the project.
06
Do newsrooms need a story pitch?
No. Open Campus will help brainstorm ideas and select an area of focus with potential partners.
Learn more
Interested in partnering or using our work?
Newsroom partnerships
Reach out to Pauline Arrillaga, managing editor of investigations, or click below.
Updates and announcements
Find partner updates and news related to the project:
Republish the content
Stories produced for the Community College Project may be republished, free of charge. Learn more: