Terms of Service

Effective Date: November 10, 2025

1. Welcome & Who We Are

Civic News Company (“CNC,” “we,” “our”) is a nonprofit news organization incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in New York. We publish Chalkbeat, Votebeat, and Healthbeat (collectively, the “Sites”). By accessing or using any Site, newsletter, job board, donation page, event listing, or other service we provide (together, the “Services”), you agree to these Terms of Service (“Terms”).

2. Related Policies

If these Terms conflict with either policy, the applicable policy governs its subject matter.

3. Children’s Privacy (COPPA)

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Our content and Services are aimed at general audiences and are not directed at children. In accordance with the U.S. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”), if we learn that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13 without verifiable parental consent, we will delete that personal information promptly. If you are a parent or guardian and believe we have collected information from your child under 13, please contact us at [email protected], and we will work with you to remove any such information to the extent required by applicable law.

4. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be announced on the Sites or via newsletter. Continued use of the Services after the effective date of an update constitutes acceptance.

5. Eligibility

  • General Access. Anyone may browse the Sites and sign up for free newsletters—no account is required.
  • Jobs & Events Board (“Board”). To post on the Board you must:
    • Be 18 years or older; and
    • Be an authorized representative of the organization for which you post.

6. Jobs & Events Board Rules

  • Registration & Payment. Posting requires account registration and payment of the listing fee. All fees are non‑refundable, including if CNC removes or edits a listing that violates these Terms.
  • User‑Generated Content.
    • ○  Ownership Warranty. You warrant that you own or control all rights in all text, images, logos, and other material you submit, and that posting it will not infringe any third‑party rights.
      ○  License to CNC. You grant CNC a world‑wide, non‑exclusive, royalty‑free, perpetual, sublicensable license to host, display, reproduce, distribute, promote, archive, and otherwise use your listing content in connection with the Board and our Services.
  • Prohibited Content. Listings must not be illegal, fraudulent, discriminatory, defamatory, obscene, or infringe intellectual‑property or privacy rights. CNC may remove or edit any listing at its sole discretion.
  • No Pre‑Publication Review. Listings go live automatically. CNC does not pre‑screen and disclaims liability for user‑submitted content (see Section 12).
  • Personal Information Collection. When you register for and use the Jobs & Events Board, we collect personal information you provide (such as your name, email address, and organization details) as described in our Privacy & Cookie Policy. This information is used solely to operate the Board, process payments, and communicate with you about your listings. We do not sell your personal information.

7. Donations

Donations are voluntary, do not condition access to our journalism, and are processed through News Revenue Hub or other payment processors identified on our Sites. The payment service provider handles payment data on our behalf as described in our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Except as required by law, donations are non‑refundable. Consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility; CNC does not provide tax advice.

8. Advertising & Sponsorships

Sponsored or advertiser content will be labeled. Any dealings you have with advertisers are solely between you and the advertiser. CNC is not responsible for third‑party offers, products, or services.

9. Intellectual‑Property Rights

  • CNC Content. All text, graphics, code, and other materials we create are owned by CNC or used under license and are protected by U.S. and international intellectual‑property laws. Aside from rights granted in the Republishing Policy, you may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without prior written permission.
  • Trademarks. Chalkbeat®, Votebeat®, Healthbeat®, and associated logos are trademarks of CNC. You may not use them without permission.

10. DMCA Copyright Policy

If you believe your copyrighted work has been used in a way that constitutes infringement, please send a notice to our DMCA agent that complies with 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3).
DMCA Agent
email:[email protected]
PO Box 3484
New York, NY 10008

11. Third‑Party Links & Integrations

The Services may link to or integrate third‑party sites and plugins. CNC does not control or endorse these services and is not responsible for their content, policies, or practices. For detailed information about how these service providers collect and use data, please refer to our Privacy & Cookie Policy and the privacy policies of each service provider.

12. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” CNC MAKES NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON‑INFRINGEMENT. We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error‑free operation, or the accuracy or reliability of any content—including user listings—on the Sites.

13. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, CNC AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, OR USE, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SERVICES OR THESE TERMS, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY. OUR TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIM WILL NOT EXCEED USD $100.

14. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless CNC and its affiliates from any claims, damages, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of:

  • your use of the Services;
  • your violation of these Terms; or
  • any listing, content, or data you submit.

15. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to any Service at any time, with or without notice, if we believe you have violated these Terms or applicable law. Sections 6 (license), 9–15, and 17 survive termination.

16. Governing Law & Venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict‑of‑laws principles. Exclusive jurisdiction and venue rest in the state and federal courts located in New York, New York, and you consent to personal jurisdiction there.

Geographic Scope. Our Services are intended exclusively for individuals and entities located within the United States. We do not market, offer, or provide Services to individuals or organizations located outside the United States.

17. General

  • Entire Agreement. These Terms, plus the Privacy & Cookie Policy and Republishing Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and CNC.
  • Severability. If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect.
  • No Waiver. Failure to enforce any right is not a waiver of future enforcement.
  • Assignment. You may not assign your rights under these Terms; CNC may assign its rights without restriction.

18. Contact Information

Our contact information is located at https://civicnews.org/contact/