The AP is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, as a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members, it can maintain its single-minded focus on newsgathering and its commitment to the highest standards of objective, accurate journalism.
Since the Pulitzer Prize was established, in 1917, AP has received 51 Pulitzers, including 31 photo Pulitzers.
AP, which is headquartered in New York, has more than 3200 staffers worldwide; almost two-thirds of whom are journalists—in more than 280 locations worldwide, including every statehouse in the U.S.(*)
(*) from agency website
http://www.ap.org/