THE CITY launched in April 2019 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan, digital news platform dedicated to hard-hitting reporting that serves the people of New York, producing consistent, high-quality and high-impact accountability reporting. Our work is free to all and does not require a subscription. Instead of charging for access, we rely on the support of members, donors and sponsors. When people have good information they can make good decisions...and good decisions lead to a better life. Independent local reporting is the critical link between the policies, spending and other actions of local government, the private sector and citizens. Without this reporting, accountability disappears, citizens disconnect, and democracy fails. This reporting is more important than ever for New York City as it faces the daunting challenges of the coronavirus crisis recovery and the November 2021 elections, which will fill nearly every major city and borough office. The closure of multiple local news platforms combined with the dramatic downsizing of many other reporting teams has had a catastrophic impact on broad, consistent reporting on local affairs in the nation’s largest city. At a time when New York City’s population (9 million) and budget ($95 billion) are larger than ever, the number of local reporters has plummeted. No matter what you think is New York’s most important priority or pressing need, it will not be fully or effectively addressed without local reporting. (More here on the need for THE CITY.) With 1,000+ stories under their belt in their first year, THE CITY’s diverse team of 20 journalists are in all five boroughs, City Hall and Albany producing essential reporting and information — engaging with the city’s communities and holding the city’s leaders and institutions to account where they are failing to deliver.