Partner Publisher Criteria
CivicCause partners with journalism institutions that help residents understand local civic life. These criteria explain how we evaluate institutional fit before inviting a publication into the Partner Publisher program.
Partnership Philosophy
Local journalism is civic infrastructure. CivicCause partners with publishers because trusted reporting helps residents understand public decisions, institutions, elections, accountability, and community change.
The relationship is partnership, not ownership. Publishers keep editorial control and publish on their own websites. CivicCause adds civic context, discovery, attribution, and links back to the original reporting.
Who We Typically Partner With
CivicCause typically partners with identifiable journalism institutions serving a defined community.
- Local newspapers
- Nonprofit newsrooms
- Public radio news organizations
- Local television news organizations
- Independent local digital news organizations
- University-affiliated newsrooms
- Other organizations producing original civic reporting
These examples are guidance, not a closed list.
General Eligibility
Strong Partner Publisher candidates usually demonstrate:
- Original reporting about civic or local matters.
- Ongoing publication rather than a temporary project.
- An identifiable institution with a public presence.
- Public accountability through visible contact, ownership, or newsroom information.
- Reliable publication practices that allow residents to reach the original reporting.
Editorial Independence
Applications are evaluated on institutional fit and the ability to provide original civic reporting—not on editorial viewpoint or political perspective.
CivicCause does not ask publishers to agree with CivicCause, avoid criticism, change investigations, alter endorsements, or shape coverage around CivicCause priorities.
How Applications Are Reviewed
Applications are reviewed manually by CivicCause. There is no algorithmic approval.
Review focuses on institutional partnership, publication identity, the community served, practical RSS setup, and whether the publication is a good fit for the CivicCause ecosystem.
If approved, the publisher receives access to a Publisher Workspace to complete a public profile, connect RSS feeds, and begin stewarding how discovered articles appear in CivicCause.
Who May Not Be a Good Fit
Some valuable civic voices may not fit the institutional Partner Publisher model.
- Personal blogs
- Personal newsletters
- Individual Substacks
- Individual podcasts
- Individual YouTube channels
- Anonymous publications
- Temporary projects
This guidance does not judge the civic value of those projects. It simply reflects that Partner Publisher status is designed for institutions with public identity and continuity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CivicCause host our journalism?
No. Articles remain on your website, and CivicCause links residents back to the original reporting.
Can we connect multiple RSS feeds?
Yes. One publication may connect multiple feeds, including main, city, topic, and custom feeds.
Can one company have multiple publications?
Yes. Each publication should have its own Partner Publisher profile.
Does CivicCause edit our reporting?
No. Publishers control their journalism. CivicCause manages civic context, attribution, and platform representation.