Maryland Matters was founded in 2017 by Josh Kurtz, a veteran journalist with over 30 years of experience covering Maryland politics and government. Kurtz, along with a team of experienced reporters and editors, launched the website with the goal of providing in-depth, nonpartisan coverage of Maryland's political landscape at a time when many traditional news outlets were scaling back their state government reporting. Maryland Matters operates as a nonprofit organization and is supported by donations from readers, foundations, and other sources. Based in Takoma Park, Maryland, Maryland Matters primarily focuses on state and local politics, policy issues, and government affairs in Maryland. The website covers a wide range of topics including legislative sessions, elections, environmental issues, education, healthcare, and economic development. While the main emphasis is on political news, Maryland Matters also reports on other areas of interest to Maryland residents, such as community events and cultural happenings across the state. One interesting fact: A unique aspect of Maryland Matters is its commitment to transparency and accountability in journalism. The website publishes an annual report detailing its finances, major donors, and editorial policies, allowing readers to understand the organization's funding sources and operational practices. This level of transparency is relatively uncommon in the news industry and reflects Maryland Matters' dedication to building trust with its audience.