In 2020, what started out as a small group of strangers seeking to be a voice in keeping local governing bodies transparent and fair led to a non-profit civic journalism organization, NJ21st.

We began primarily as a watchdog group and found purpose in helping our neighbors, friends, children, school staff, administrators, and everyone in between.

To this day, we continue to ask the difficult questions, do our due diligence, and remain steadfast in finding the truth with a singular allegiance to transparency and facts.

Through countless hours of research, navigating the legal system, investigating, editing, and writing, we are proud of our work and what we have established.

In 2025, we applied for 501(c)(4) status under the Internal Revenue Code. We were also accepted into the Local Independent Online News Publishers (LION) network, which required panel reviews of our work and organizational vetting.

Over the past two years, we have expanded our reach to four counties in the 21st district, with the goal of covering all 21 counties in the state of NJ.

We are proud to have our content featured on NJ Education Report, Jersey City Times, and Educator Expert blogs.

We are excited to embark upon new endeavors in not only expanding our reach but also helping educate and support students through the intricate and multifaceted components of governing bodies.

To fund our expansion and student initiative, we soft-launched a successful fundraising campaign in August 2025.

Over the next ten days, you will get more frequent messaging from us asking for financial contributions.

We are looking for support from everyone who values transparency, independent journalism, and holding appointed and elected governing bodies accountable.

NJ21st will remain as it began: an outlet for anyone and everyone looking to share fact-based content with their community.

Unlike other local outlets, we rely solely on individual contributions and prohibit advertisements and contributions from special interest groups and political organizations. The only thing that shapes our reporting are facts.

If you benefit from our reporting, please consider contributing to our campaign so that we may continue and expand our coverage, supply scholarships for student journalists, and provide real reporting to local communities.

We are most grateful for any amount you are able and willing to contribute and appreciate your donation.

We are, and will continue to be, independent, fact-based, and not-for-profit.

CONTRIBUTE!

Laura Kapuscinski
NJ21st Editor