NJ21st Public Transparency & Accountability Policy

Last updated: 04/30/2025

Who We Are

NJ21st, Inc. is an independent, nonprofit civic journalism organization founded in 2021 and formally incorporated in the State of New Jersey in 2025. We are committed to increasing transparency and accountability within local government, with a focus on New Jersey’s 21st Legislative District. NJ21st began as a grassroots response to secrecy and misinformation in local decision-making — especially around public education, budgeting, and municipal operations. Since then, our work has expanded to cover a broader range of civic issues across multiple communities. Through independent reporting, public records analysis, and community-driven research, we aim to inform, engage, and empower the public to understand how government really works — and who it works for.

Our Commitment to Transparency

As a civic journalism platform focused on accountability, we hold ourselves to the same standards we expect from public institutions. We commit to:

– Publishing source documentation when possible (e.g., public records, meeting videos, financial reports)
– Disclosing our editorial process when correcting or updating published stories
– Avoiding undisclosed conflicts of interest — financial or personal
– Separating editorial work from any political or commercial influence.

Financial Integrity

NJ21st, Inc. does not currently accept donations or outside funding. If or when that changes:

– We will publish a full list of donors over $200 annually
– We will disclose all grants or in-kind contributions
– We will not accept funding that conditions editorial content or access.

Organizational Governance

NJ21st, Inc. is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Major decisions — including policy direction, financial oversight, and leadership roles — are reviewed and voted on at least annually.

Corrections & Feedback

We are committed to accuracy and welcome corrections, clarifications, and additional context from the public. Contact us anytime at [email protected].

Privacy & Source Protection

We protect the identity of confidential sources and will never share identifying information without explicit permission. Anonymous tips are reviewed and vetted before being published or investigated.

Contact

For questions about our editorial practices, governance, or nonprofit structure visit: , email us at: [email protected]