Eleven organizations raise $952,680 in contributions to meet funders' challenge; Fifteen journalism groups offered challenge grants to increase fundraising capacity over the next year. NEW YORK, Oct. 6
NEW YORK, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The Challenge Fund for Journalism today
announced that 15 nonprofit organizations will receive $565,000 in grants
provided they match the awards within one year.
In addition, the four journalism foundations that sponsor the Challenge
Fund said that 11 organizations that recently concluded the annual cycle were
awarded $449,000 in grants after raising $952,680 in matching contributions.
The Ford Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the
McCormick Foundation, and the Ethics & Excellence in Journalism Foundation
partnered in both the fourth annual cycle of the Challenge Fund for
Journalism, known as CFJ IV, as well as the award of new CFJ V grants for the
fifth annual cycle. Launched in 2004, the Challenge Fund for Journalism is
now a three-tier, multi-year, matching challenge grant program for nonprofit
journalism organizations. The initiative enhances organizational capacity and
builds individual donor development strategies.
The Challenge Fund for Journalism was introduced amid the backdrop of
seismic shifts in the news media profession. Those shifts have since
accelerated, creating even greater relevance for the funding initiative.
Journalism organizations continue to battle economic challenges resulting from
consolidation in the industry, frequent layoffs, declining financial support
from corporate and philanthropic sources and increased competition from
"citizen journalists" and bloggers. CFJ helps to ensure that journalism
organizations, which are critical to supporting the profession, have the
leadership, infrastructure, and financial resources needed to increase their
adaptability and promote long-term sustainability.
The challenge grants are complemented by customized coaching, technical
assistance, peer networking opportunities, and organizational development and
fundraising trainings. All grantees work to strengthen their organizational
capacity and individual donor bases. They must raise their matches through
new or increased individual donations, including gifts from individuals, small
family foundations, small business owners and employee matching programs.
Over the past year, the CFJ funding partners distributed $449,000 in grant
awards to 11 CFJ IV grantees who successfully raised $952,680 in matching
contributions. Despite facing significant challenges given the difficulties
in the journalism industry, CFJ IV grantees made strong progress in their
fundraising efforts, collectively raising $251,680 more than required by their
match.
CFJ IV GranteeTotal Raised &
Awarded
Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships$55,047
Association for Women in Sports Media$60,180
Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors $32,926
Carole Kneeland Project $78,187
Cartoonists Rights Network, International$40,500
Center for Public Integrity $298,186
Education Writers Association$201,639
Institutes for Journalism & Natural Resources$189,347
International Women's Media Foundation $379,590
Press Institute for Women in the Developing World$48,388
UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc.$18,190
CFJ V has now launched with another 15 journalism organizations, which
represent a broad range of sectors and interest areas. They have been awarded
a total of $565,000 in challenge grants, and will have one year to match their
specific award.
CFJ V Grantee Grant Award
Associated Press Managing Editors Association$50,000
Center for Integration & Improvement in Journalism $15,000
Center for Investigative Reporting $50,000
Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting $25,000
International Center for Journalists $80,000
Investigative Reporters and Editors $50,000
Journalism & Women Symposium $50,000
Journalism Center on Children & Families $20,000
New America Media/Pacific News Service $25,000
Online News Association $60,000
Overseas Press Club $25,000
Religion Newswriters Foundation $35,000
Society for News Design $15,000
Society of American Business Editors and Writers $50,000
South Asian Journalists Association $15,000
Bob Ross, President and CEO of the Ethics & Excellence in Journalism
Foundation noted, "The Challenge Fund for Journalism offers a unique
opportunity for journalism organizations to build their infrastructure and
human resources with a view toward long-term sustainability, which ultimately
strengthens the entire journalism profession."
"This collaboration of funding partners has been a rewarding experience
for us," said Clark Bell, the McCormick Foundation's Journalism Program
Director. "As the journalism sector continues to transform, it is essential
that nonprofit groups gain the tools, knowledge and resources needed to
strengthen their organizations and diversify their sources of income,
particularly from individuals. CFJ grantees have demonstrated the ability to
draw on new sources of revenue that will sustain their organizations for many
years to come."
"Changes in the media field have made this initiative especially timely,"
said Calvin Sims, Program Officer, Media, Arts, and Culture, at the Ford
Foundation. "Intense competitive pressures mean journalism organizations need
to innovate in finding resources to sustain themselves. At the same time, the
public needs excellent journalistic reporting more than ever. CFJ helps
journalism groups by building their capacity to raise funds sustainably from
individuals."
The first four CFJ cycles included 38 journalism organizations that
received $2.8 million in grant funds and raised another $4.2 million in
matching contributions. The new grantees met in Chicago on August 5th to kick
off the Challenge Fund for Journalism V.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
(http://www.knightfoundation.org) promotes excellence in journalism worldwide
and invests in the vitality of 26 U.S. communities. Since 1954, the
foundation has given more than $300 million in journalism grants.
The Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation
(http://www.journalismfoundation.org) was founded in 1982 by Edith Kinney
Gaylord to support local and national efforts to improve the quality of
journalism practices among various media. The Foundation provides funding for
projects that promote excellence and instill high ethical standards in
journalism.
The Ford Foundation (http://www.fordfound.org) is an independent,
nonprofit grant making organization. For more than half a century it has been
a resource for innovative people and institutions worldwide, guided by its
goals of strengthening democratic values, reducing poverty and injustice,
promoting international cooperation, and advancing human achievement.
The McCormick Foundation (http://www.mccormicktribune.org) is a nonprofit
organization committed to making life better for our children, communities and
country. Through its journalism and other charitable grantmaking programs,
Cantigny Park and Golf, Cantigny First Division Foundation and the McCormick
Tribune Freedom Museum, the Foundation is able to positively impact people's
lives and stay true to its mission of advancing the ideals of a free,
democratic society. The Journalism Program has four funding areas: News
Leadership, Journalism Education, First Amendment Freedoms and Youth Media.
The New York office of TCC Group (http://www.tccgrp.com), a 29 year-old
management consulting firm that works with funders and nonprofit
organizations, manages The Challenge Fund for Journalism and provides
technical assistance to the grantees.
SOURCE McCormick Foundation
