SPJ Foundation
Grants
Proposal guidelines •
Foundation funding policy
Submit your proposal
Submit your proposal
Follow this link to to submit your application online. For more information, contact us via e-mail.
— Read more about submitting grant proposals to the Foundation
— SPJ Foundation Funding Policy
Society of Professional Journalists Foundation grants primarily support SPJ and also provide support to organizations and causes that further our mission.
Grant requests are first reviewed by the Foundation Grants and Awards Committee and then their recommendations are sent to the SPJ Foundation Board of Directors for their review and selection.
Find out how to submit your grant proposal here.
Previously-awarded Foundation Grants
The following grants have been approved by the Foundation in recent years.
2023 Grants
Press release
NFOIC’s “Freedom of Information Bootcamp for Journalists of Color” provides training in acquiring and analyzing government documents and data. In addition to general skills in accessing government information, the program will partner each mentee with an expert mentor in his or her respective state, in most cases the leader of a coalition who can assist the journalist long-term in accessing government.
NLGJA’s “LGBTQ+ Newsroom Outreach Program” educates newsrooms across the United States on LGBTQ reporting standards. The program was relaunched in 2019 with the support of a grant from the SPJ Foundation but COVID-19 affected the ability to host in-person events. This funding will help reinstitute the in-person component of the program so NLGJA can travel to newsrooms to make in-person connections with journalists and answer their pressing questions about LGBTQ coverage.
The Bay City News Foundation is presenting a quarterly training series on “Unlocking Public Records in California.” The four workshops, hosted with the First Amendment Coalition, will focus on everything journalists need to know about using California's main open-records law, the California Public Records Act, to land scoops and strengthen their reporting. The presentation will be given by First Amendment Coalition Executive Director David Snyder, an open-government lawyer and former reporter for The Washington Post. The one-hour sessions will feature real-world scenarios and teachable lessons from recent cases, with opportunities for participant questions.
ALMA’s Annual High School Journalism and Multi-Media Workshop presents a free, hands-on multimedia journalism program for minority and underserved high school journalism students from throughout Arizona, New Mexico, the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe. The daylong workshop, held at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, includes opportunities to meet and interview newsmakers such as Arizona state legislators, U.S. Congress members and professionals from the fields of law, banking, journalism, sports and the non-profit sector.
National Freedom of Information Coalition ($6,100)
NFOIC's Freedom of Information Bootcamp for Journalists of Color trains participants to acquire and analyze government documents and data.
Native American Journalists Association ($10,000)
In partnership with the Oklahoma Media Center, the Indigenous Media Landscape Project analyzes pre- and post- "Promised Land" coverage, measuring the impact of NAJA newsroom trainings to determine whether Indigenous coverage in mainstream media has improved.
SPJ Region 1 ($8,740)
The SPJ Region 1 Northeast High School Journalism Institute at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island, offered students training in field reporting through lectures and hands-on reporting experience.
SPJ Future Leaders Academy ($25,750)
FLA supported the professional development program focusing on building leadership skills and empowering the next generation of SPJ and newsroom leaders.
MediaFest22 ($35,000)
SPJ's annual convention with the College Media Association and Associated Collegiate Press as partners offered training via more than 50 professional development programs geared to the organization's mission and the needs of today's journalists.
Wildfire Media ($2,500)
Funds intensive course teaching grant writing and fundraising skills to Pacific Northwest journalists and documentary professionals focused on investigative reporting.
New England First Amendment Coalition ($2,500)
Supports the coalition’s collaboration with the Society of Professional Journalists to produce tutorials explaining the Freedom of Information Act, along with state public records and open meeting laws.
Feet in 2 Worlds ($3,000)
Backs the Telling Immigrant Stories in Español and in English workshop. Journalists learn audio reporting and production for podcast, broadcast and digital news sites, and pitch stories to editors and producers.
SPJ ($22,438)
National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association ($5,000)
WETA (PBS Newshour) ($2,500)
New England First Amendment Coalition ($1,500)
James W. Foley Legacy Foundation ($5,000)
SPJ Region 3 ($2,500)
National Press Photographers Association ($33,200)
KUOW ($10,000)
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2019 Grants
SPJ National Conference Education ($19,691)
Provides support for educational programming at the 2018 SPJ National Conference.
New England First Amendment Coalition ($2,500)
Provides support for The First Amendment and the Free Press: An ongoing public conversation about the value of journalism in our communities and why the Fourth Estate must be protected.
National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association ($2,500)
Provides support for LGBTQ Newsroom Outreach Program.
Freedom Forum Institute ($1,000)
Provides support for Power Shift Project.
SPJ Region 3 ($2,500)
Provides support for “Paper Money” program.
Native American Journalists Association ($2,500)
Provides support to further update and expand a code of ethics guide for how to conduct news coverage of the Native American community.
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2018 Grants
SPJ National Conference Education ($43,000)
Provides support for educational programming at the 2018 SPJ National Conference.
Asian American Journalists Association ($2,199)
Provides support for JCamp 2017, a journalism training program for high school students.
Investigative Reporters & Editors ($2,199)
Provides support to create new regional Watchdog Workshop.
Native American Journalists Association ($2,199)
Provides support to update and expand a code of ethics guide for how to conduct news coverage of the Native American community.
National Freedom of Information Coalition ($2,199)
Provides support for the NFOIC Summit.
National Press Photographers Association ($2,119)
Provides support for training of law enforcement/first responders on rights to photograph.
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2017 Grants
SPJ National Conference Education, $35,000
Provides support for educational programming at the 2017 SPJ National Conference.
SPJ Loan-A-Drone Program, $1,000
The SPJ Florida chapter will send a drone journalist/pilot and a high-tech drone for hands-on training. Participants will learn the laws as well as best flight practices.
SPJ Muslimedia, $1,000
The SPJ Florida chapter is offering help and money to groups who want to host a program about the way journalists cover the Muslim community. During this program journalists and Muslim leaders will teach each other how they approach these topics — and maybe both groups will learn something new.
National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), $5,000
Provides support for the Right to Photograph & Record in Public program which presents training to law enforcement officers, first responders, citizens and journalists to foster a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities and ultimately gain greater respect for the roles that everyone plays as pertains to newsgathering and law enforcement.
National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), $2,500
Provides support for the development of newsroom standards for the use of drones in newsgathering.
Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition (CFOIC), $2,000
Provides support for the organization’s blog and news feed.
New England First Amendment Coalition (NEFAC), $2,500
Provides support for the New England First Amendment Institute.
National Freedom of Information Coalition (NFOIC), $2,500
Provides support for the NFOIC Summit.
Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), $3,500
Provides support for JCamp 2017, a journalism training program for high school students.
Native American Journalists Association (NAJA), $5,000
Provides support for the development of a code of ethics guide for how to conduct news coverage of the Native American community.
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2016 Grants
SPJ National Conference Education, $28,000
Provides support for educational programming at the 2016 SPJ National Conference.
SPJ Loan-A-Drone Program, $1,500
The SPJ South Florida chapter will send a drone journalist/pilot and a high-tech drone to SPJ chapters, and other groups of journalists, for hands-on training and even the execution of actual assignments. Participants will learn the laws as well as best flight practices.
National Association of Press Photographers, $7,000
The Right to Photograph & Record in Public program will present training to law enforcement officers, first responders, citizens and journalists in order to foster a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities and ultimately gain greater respect for the roles that everyone plays as pertains to newsgathering and law enforcement.
Student Press Law Center, $3,000
The New Voices Grassroots Campaign is an initiative to build on the successful enactment of the New Voices of North Dakota press-freedom statute passed in 2015 by building and supporting copycat grassroots organizations across the country. Support from SPLC speakers and expert witnesses has been crucial in legislative movements to protect the rights of college and high-school journalists. The program will send reinforcements into many more states to capitalize on the momentum built in North Dakota.
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2015 Grants
SPJ National Conference Education, $85,000
Provides support for educational programming at the 2015 SPJ National Conference.
SPJ Diversity Committee, $8,820
Creation of a Reggie Stuart Fellowship program that will offer an opportunity for two minority SPJ members to receive management training.
SPJ Region 7 Fellowships, $8,500
Creation of two fellowships that will place a student or recent graduate, for the summer, in each of the newsrooms of Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism and Omaha Public Radio.
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, $3,600
Provides support for the production of “Law Enforcement’s Evolving Surveillance Arsenal-A Legal and Policy Guide for Journalists.”
Tennessee Coalition for Open Government, $2,500
Provides support for the organization’s hotline and workshops.
Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, $2,500
Provides support for the organization’s blog and news feed.
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2014 Grants
SPJ Training Place, $191,585
Support for training programs such as: On Demand training videos, Journalism Training Programs, JournCamps, Spring Conferences and webinars.
SPJ National Convention 2014 Education, $85,000
Support for educational programming at the 2014 SPJ National Convention.
SPJ Mark of Excellence Program Support, $27,201
Provides staff support for the Mark of Excellence Awards program.
SPJ Diversity Leadership Program, $8,510
Provides fellowships for members to attend the 2014 SPJ National Convention.
Zombie Stories Program, $2,000
Supports a hands-on student project, run by SPJ Regional Director Michael Koretzky, that teaches interviewing skills in a fun way (with zombies).
Student Press Law Center, $6,000
Provides support for the Tinker Tour West program.
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, $5,000
Provides support for the Open Courts Compendium, 2nd edition.
New England First Amendment Coalition, $5,000
Provides support for the New England First Amendment Institute.
Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, $5,000
Support for the organization’s blog and news feed.
Center for Integration & Improvement of Journalism, $3,500
Support for the development of a comprehensive diversity style guide.
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2013 Grants
SPJ Training Place, $187,722
Includes support for training programs such as: On Demand training videos, Journalism Training Programs, JournCamps, Spring Conferences, webinars.
2013 SPJ National Convention Education, $85,000
Supporting educational programming at the 2013 SPJ National Convention.
SPJ Mark of Excellence Program Support, $27,201
Providing staff support for the MOE Awards program.
SPJ Chapter Programming Grants, $7,660
Providing grants to chapters for spring conferences and local professional development events.
SPJ Diversity Leadership Program, $7,570
Providing diversity fellowships for members to attend SPJ’s 2013 National Convention.
SPJ Madison Chapter, $2,000
Providing financial assistance for a weekend event honoring Chester C. Wells.
SPJ Unethical Press Program, $350
Supporting a hands-on student project to learn what a newspaper would look like if the SPJ Code of Ethics never existed.
SPJ Will Work for Food Program, $3,000
Supporting a hands-on student project running a homeless shelter's newspaper.
National Freedom of Information Coalition, $7,500
Supporting the NFOIC National Conference.
Student Press Law Center, $6,500
Providing support to update the publication "Covering Campus Crime."
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, $1,000
Providing support to transfer popular legal guides into mobile formats.
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2012 Grants
SPJ Training Place, $186,342
Includes support for training programs such as: On Demand training videos, Journalism Training Programs, JournCamps, Spring Conferences, webinars.
2012 SPJ National Convention Education, $85,475
Supporting educational programming at the 2012 SPJ National Convention.
SPJ Mark of Excellence Program Support, $27,201
Providing staff support for the MOE Awards program.
SPJ Chapter Programming Grants, $5,523
Providing grants to chapters for spring conferences and local professional development events.
SPJ Communications Committee, $3,000
Creating PSAs to highlight the important work of journalists.
SPJ Charlotte Chapter, $3,200
Providing training to journalists on covering the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.
National Freedom of Information Coalition, $10,000
Supporting the NFOIC National Conference.
Student Press Law Center, $6,925
Supporting the development of a guide to social networking laws.
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2011 Grants
SPJ Training Place, $198,754
Includes support for training programs such as: eCampus On Demand training videos, Newsroom Training, Narrative Writing Workshops, and Access Across America
2011 National Convention Education, $79,426
Supporting educational programming at the 2011 SPJ National Convention
SPJ Mark of Excellence Program Support, $27,201
Providing staff support for the MOE Awards
SPJ Chapter Programming Grants, $9,619
Providing grants to chapters for spring conferences and local professional development events
SPJ Diversity Committee Fellows Program, $8,300
Providing diversity fellowships for members to attend SPJ’s 2012 National Convention
National Freedom of Information Coalition, $10,000
Supporting the NFOIC National Conference
Student Press Law Center, $7,800
Supporting the development of a legal orientation kit for new college editors
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, $13,900
Supporting the production of a publication to aid journalists in crafting federal Freedom of Information Act appeals
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2010 Grants
SPJ Training Programs, $63,140
Includes Newsroom Training and Narrative Writing Workshops.
SPJ Reporters Institute, $56,050
Supporting professional development for print and broadcast journalists.
2010 National Convention Education, $53,128
Supporting educational programming at the 2010 SPJ National Convention.
Mark of Excellence Program Support $27,680
Providing staff support for the MOE Awards.
Ethics Hold ‘Em Cards, $2,500
Supporting Ethics Hold ‘Em Tournaments emphasizing our Code of Ethics.
National Freedom of Information Coalition, $5,000
Supporting the NFOIC 2010 National Conference.
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2009 Grants
SPJ National Journalism Conference Education, $53,128
To support the educational components of the 2009 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference.
SPJ Reporters Institute, $56,050
To support an in-depth institute to help young professionals improve their journalism work. The institute will include freedom of information, ethics and diversity training; journalism skills building; and understanding and working in the newsroom culture.
SPJ MOE Staff Support, $27,680
This grant supports the Mark of Excellence Awards programming, designed to stimulate, promote and recognize outstanding achievement in student journalism.
SPJ Training Programs, $63,140
SPJ will continue to offer professional development opportunities for journalists in newsrooms, on college campuses and in SPJ chapters around the country.
Ethics Hold ‘Em Cards $2,500
A grant to support SPJ’s Code of Ethics with specially made playing cards for an Ethics Hold ‘Em tournaments held at Conventions and local chapter events.
National Freedom of Information Coalition 2009 Convention, $5,000
The Foundation supports NFOIC’s national conference with a grant to target individuals in states with no existing FOI coalition presence by offering travel stipends to attend the conference.
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2008 Grants
SPJ National Journalism Conference Education, $37,500
To help support the educational components of the 2008 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference.
SPJ MOE Staff Support, $15,000
This grant supports the Mark of Excellence Awards programming, designed to stimulate, promote and recognize outstanding achievement in student journalism.
SPJ Media Credibility Project, $24,000
In place of SPJ’s traditional Ethics Week grants, money will be distributed only to chapters engaging in a town hall-style program. This will help SPJ reach its organizational goal with one collective message ethics and media credibility and engages people on all levels — national, regional, local and even incorporates the local media and, most importantly, the public.
SPJ professional development coordinator position, $50,000
To support the various training programs SPJ provide, in an effort to remove the burden from volunteers and to deliver a consistent message to all our chapters, this grant provides for a staff person to
SPJ training programs, $75,000
To fund a variety of hand-on training programs such as Narrative Writing and Newsroom Training.
SPJ Journalists Toolbox, $20,000
to purchase an extensive web data base containing information and sources on a vast number of topics for use by journalists. http://www.journaliststoolbox.org/
SPJ Reporters Institute $63,000
SPJ will research and develop an in-depth institute to help young professionals improve their journalism work. The institute will include freedom of information, ethics and diversity training; journalism skills building; and understanding and working in the newsroom culture.
University of Georgia Foundation: $3,000
per year for three years to support the annual surveys of journalism
National Freedom of Information Coalition: $5,000
to support the 2009 NFOIC National Conference
Student Press Law Center: $10,000
to support the production of “Covering Campus Crime,” a handbook published by the Student Press Law Center
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press: $10,000
to support production of “How to Use the Federal Freedom of Information Act,” a guidebook published by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
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2007 Grants
Ethics in Journalism Week, $22,720.
SPJ will continue the annual Ethics in Journalism Week in 2008, with programming events throughout the country.
SPJ Ethnic/Community Media Training, $17,550.
SPJ will provide local training on open meetings and public records laws for journalists working for ethnic and community media outlets.
SPJ Citizens Journalism Academy, $23,200.
This program will improve and protect journalism by instructing an emerging breed of “citizen journalists” on the tenets of responsible news-gathering and distribution. This will be accomplished by promoting to the general public SPJ’s core missions, including ethics and the freedom of information; and by promoting greater awareness of legislative, legal and social issues affecting journalism, the First Amendment and the free flow of public information.
First Amendment Free Food Festival, South Florida SPJ Pro Chapter, $2,000.
This grant will fund one or more events to teach college students about the First Amendment by offering them a free lunch in exchange for their signature on a waiver, which grants program coordinators the right to deny students their First Amendment Rights.
The American Journalist Survey, through Indiana University, $10,000.
This follow-up study examines the characteristics, working conditions, attitudes and values of newsmen and newswomen.
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, $15,000.
The RCFP will complete a unique national study of the status of state open meetings and open records laws in the post 9/11 world.
SPJ Training Programs, $75,000.
SPJ will continue to offer professional development opportunities for journalists in newsrooms, on college campuses and in SPJ chapters around the country.
SPJ 2007 National Convention Education, $48,150.
This grant will help support the 2007 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference.
SPJ 2008 Spring Conferences, $6,000.
This grant provides funding for a speaker (or speakers) at each of SPJ’s 12 regional conferences on a topic related to one of SPJ’s core missions of ethics, FOI, diversity and education.
National Freedom of Information Coalition 2008 Annual Conference, $7,500.
The Foundation will support NFOIC’s national conference in 2008 in Northern Virginia. Specifically, the grant will target individuals in states with no existing FOI coalition presence by offering travel stipends to attend the conference.
Ethics AdviceLine for Journalists, the Chicago Headline Club SPJ Chapter and Loyola University Chicago, $10,000.
This grant provides support for promoting and expanding the Ethics AdviceLine, a free service that provides guidance on ethics to professional journalists, some of whom are on deadline.
SPJ Diversity Outreach Project, $14,430.
This grant continues the Society’s Diversity Fellows program, introducing individuals of diverse backgrounds to mentorship and leadership opportunities within SPJ.
SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards Program Staff, $13,000.
This grant supports the Mark of Excellence Awards programming, designed to stimulate, promote and recognize outstanding achievement in student journalism.
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2006 Grants
SPJ Training on the Go, $27,000.
SPJ will continue its series of one-day, in-newsroom training programs designed to raise the level of reporting and editing nationwide.
SPJ Narrative Writing Seminars, $31,440.
Led by Pulitzer-prize winner Tom Hallman, these programs teach reporters narrative writing concepts and techniques.
SPJ Reporters Institute, $35,000.
SPJ will research and develop an in-depth institute to help young professionals improve their journalism work. The institute will include freedom of information, ethics and diversity training; journalism skills building; and understanding and working in the newsroom culture.
SPJ Webcasting Project, $7,060.
SPJ will make audio recordings of national and local professional development programs available to members through the Web.
SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards Program Staff Support, $12,480.
This grant supports the Mark of Excellence Awards programming, designed to stimulate, promote and recognize outstanding achievement in student journalism.
SPJ Regional Conference Programming, $6,000.
This grant provides funding for a speaker (or speakers) at each of SPJ’s 12 regional conferences on a topic related to one of SPJ’s core missions of ethics, FOI diversity, and education.
SPJ National Convention Education, $41,700.
This grant will help support the 2006 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference.
Ethics in Journalism Week, $22,720.
SPJ will continue the annual Ethics in Journalism Week in 2007, with programming events throughout the country.
National Freedom of Information Coalition National Conference, $5,000.
The Foundation continues its longtime support of NFOIC’s annual conference. Specifically, this grant will allow NFOIC to target individuals in stats with no existing FOI coalition presence and provide them with financial assistance to participate in the conference.
Coalition of Journalists for Open Government, $10,000.
This grant furthers the work of CJOG as it champions open government at the national level. The group identifies developing access issues and coordinates the response of member organizations, including SPJ.
Chicago Headline Club/Loyola University Ethics Adviceline, $5,000.
The grant helps fund the Ethics Adviceline, a service that provides support for journalists facing an ethical dilemma.
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Fall 2005 Grants
SPJ/SDX Hurricane Relief Grants, up to $25,000.
The Foundation will make available up to $25,000 from the Pulliam General Fund to help students replace journalism textbooks that were lost due to the Gulf Coast disaster.
National Freedom of Information Coalition, $5,000.
The grant (to be paid 8/06) will fund the 2006 NFOIC national conference.
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2005 Grants
Society of Professional Journalists, $182,524.
Funds going toward the Society of Professional Journalists will support educational programming at the national convention in Las Vegas, October 16-18, 2005, the Mark of Excellence awards for journalism students, educational programming for ethics week in journalism, educational support for SPJ regional conferences, funding to update its "Prison Access Project" that examines laws and policies regarding journalists' access to prisons, a new series of narrative writing workshops led by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Tom Hallman and production of a DVD highlighting the Society's prestigious Sigma Delta Chi awards.
Western Kentucky University, $3,000.
This grant will support the publication of a textbook to be titled "Contemporary First Amendment Cases." It is anticipated that the book will serve as a primary textbook for high school and university courses.
University of Georgia, $3,000 per year for three years.
This grant will support the "Annual Surveys of Journalism and Mass Communication." The survey provides key data on enrollments in journalism and mass communication programs, professional salaries and attitudes of journalism graduates.
Indiana Coalition for Open Government, $3,500.
This grant supports the 2006 National Freedom of Information Coalition conference to be held in Indianapolis.
National Freedom of Information Coalition, $10,000.
This grant supports the 2005 conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, $15,000.
This grant is for publication of the fifth edition of “Tapping Officials’ Secrets.” The compendium was last updated in 2001 and the new version will reflect amendments to access laws. The publication is targeted for use by the news media as well as the public.
Fall 2004 Grants
SPJ, $17,060 over two years.
This grant will fund the development of the Society’s Diversity Fellows program.
National Conference of Editorial Writers Foundation, $100,000 over five years ($20,000 per year).
The grant will support and help to permanently endow the NCEW Foundation’s Minority Writers Seminar. The seminar is intended to address the recruitment and retention of minority writers and editors, to help the newspaper industry become more reflective of the communities it serves.
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2004 Grants
SPJ, $67,063.
These grants will support SPJ’s national convention, ethics hotline, Mark of Excellence Awards program, Ethics in Journalism Week, SPJ regional conferences and diversity outreach.
Investigative Reporters and Editors, $30,000.
For continuation of the Better Watchdog Workshop series.
Chicago Headline Club/Loyola University, $23,243.
For continuation of the Ethics Adviceline for Journalists. A joint venture of the Chicago Headline Club and the Loyola University Chicago Center for Ethics and Social Justice, Ethics AdviceLine provides advice from ethicists trained in journalism ethics
First Amendment Foundation of Florida, $20,000.
For a series of open government mini-seminars.
National Press Foundation, $21,640.
For a manual titled "Covering Your State Capitol"
National Conference of Editorial Writers Foundation, $5,000.
For the Minority Writers Seminar held at Vanderbilt University
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