Join Us for Opportunities to Take Action

You can gain practical civic skills, connect with your neighbors, and contribute to stronger communities through our three main program areas: Documenters, Sustained Impact Newsroom, and Civic Education & Public Partnerships.

Just announced: Translation Lab
to Meet Communities' Needs

As immigration enforcement intensifies in Chicago, City Bureau is launching a Spanish Translation Lab to help local newsrooms get critical information to their communities.

We're offering free translation services for coverage of ICE activity, community guides, and stories about how these events affect families across the city.

If your newsroom is covering immigration enforcement and wants to reach Spanish-speaking audiences, we’re here to help. Get in touch with Editorial Director, Ariel Cheung to learn more!

Our Programs

Documenters

Get trained and paid to attend local government meetings while building civic skills, expanding government transparency, and making civic information more accessible to everyone.

Sustained Impact Newsroom

Create the news your neighborhood needs: Get hands-on training through our Civic Reporting Fellowship and develop stories that matter alongside a supportive, collaborative community.

Civic Education & Public Partnerships

Join free discussion-centered workshops to gain new skills, resources, and connections while learning how to take civic action together.

Join Our Community of Partners

We’d love to hear from you about potential partnerships–we collaborate with a range of organizations to expand access to trusted information, equip people with civic skills, and cultivate stronger communities.

Our Impact

City Bureau’s programs have made a measurable impact on communities all across the country. Through our Civic Reporting Fellowship, 165+ emerging journalists have gone on to contribute to leading news outlets, shaping the future of local journalism. Our national Documenters Network has trained over 4,600 people to complete more than 10,000 assignments, improving access to critical civic information. And through our Public Newsrooms events, we’ve engaged thousands of Chicago residents in conversations about local issues, strengthening relationships between neighbors. These efforts are building the foundation for stronger, more informed communities where civic engagement leads to real social change.

Help Sustain Our Work

Invest in the people and trusted program models that are building stronger communities through expanded civic involvement.