BALTIMORE, Md., Aug. 14, 2026. AAN Publishers selected Baltimore Beat as one of 13 newsrooms for the first cohort of its new Tech Stack Checklist program. The program helps member newsrooms identify and close gaps in the technology that powers their online publishing.
The Tech Stack Checklist program pairs each newsroom with a dedicated coach for a hands-on review of its tech stack. Baltimore Beat will complete a detailed questionnaire, and its coach will run tools to test site performance, email deliverability, security, and more. The coach and the Beat team will then meet to discuss priorities. The coach delivers a written report flagging immediate needs, near-term priorities, and longer-term plans.
Once Baltimore Beat has its report, the team will develop a short plan to use grant funding to close the gaps identified in the review. AAN will review and approve the plan. Baltimore Beat will then receive a $5,000 grant from the Google News Initiative to help close those tech stack gaps and explore new digital revenue streams.
“This program gives us tools we don’t always have room for in our budget: a real look at where our site and email systems fall short, and the funding to fix it. Baltimore readers depend on us to show up online just as much as they do in print, and this support helps us keep that promise,” said Lisa Snowden, publisher and CEO of Baltimore Beat.
“We’re pleased to be able to bring both this technical expertise and the grant dollars to allow them to cut down on costs and generate new digital revenue with their publisher’s online presence,” said Todd Stauffer, executive director of AAN Publishers.
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About Baltimore Beat
Baltimore Beat is an independent, nonprofit newsroom providing free, community-focused journalism for the people of Baltimore. Through reporting, storytelling and civic engagement, the Beat works to uplift local voices and strengthen the city’s information ecosystem. The newsroom publishes a bi-monthly print edition alongside its digital platforms. Learn more at baltimorebeat.com.
About AAN Publishers
AAN Publishers is a nonprofit association representing more than 120 news organizations across North America, including nonprofit, BIPOC-owned and LGBTQ+-focused publications. The association provides training, advocacy and business tools supporting independent, community-focused newsrooms. Learn more at aan.org.
Media Contact
Lisa Snowden
Publisher and CEO,
Baltimore Beat
lisa@baltimorebeat.com