Journalism foundations and institutes help preserve the integrity of the journalism profession as well as fund journalistic causes or pursuits. Foundations for journalists and journalism institutes enable journalists and other journalism professionals to gather, compare work, teach each other and contribute to each other's overall professional development.

Foundations for journalism routinely fund journalism education grants, as well as grants for journalism research. Numerous journalism schools and colleges have launched new programs or built new journalism centers thanks to journalism foundations and institutes, while many more mid-career professionals were awarded fellowships to study, teach or perform research deemed necessary to the good of American democracy. When researching journalism foundations and institutes, consider the following:

1. Research the types of grants and awards for journalists available through institutes and foundations.

2. Register for professional development opportunities with journalism institutes and foundations.

3. Find institutes and foundations for journalism that specialize in grants or training for specific groups, such as journalists of color or journalists working abroad

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research journalism foundations with specific purposes

Multiple journalism foundations exist for numerous causes within the journalism profession. From journalists of color to freelance journalists to journalists who report from war zones, these foundations protect multiple professional interests and offer excellent professional resources.

I recommend: The Committee to Protect Journalists is a journalism foundation that guards the rights of international journalists in emergencies involving brutal treatment, often at the hands of authoritarian governments opposed to free press, while also providing both financial and non-financial assistance to individual journalists. The Scripps Howard Foundation offers mid-career fellowships, scholarships and more toward its core purpose of improving journalism.

Look up established journalism institutes

Journalism institutes with longstanding roots in America and abroad exist to further the professional development and improvement of the journalism profession. Look to these institutes to fund projects, provide educational opportunities and heighten your professional profile.

I recommend: The Maynard Institute for Journalism Education advocates for the increased diversity of newsrooms and offers training for journalists on how to build diversity into their work. The American Press Institute is one of the oldest journalism institutes devoted to professional development.

Find journalism grants and fellowships to advance your career

If you're looking to accomplish a big investigative project or want to get paid to impart your professional experience on journalism students or fellow professionals, numerous organizations offer grants and fellowships to help you accomplish those goals.

I recommend: The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation provides grants, fellowships and trainings for professionals in journalism and other media arts. The Fund for Investigative Journalism gives out grants for investigative projects in response to grant proposals.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While you're researching journalism foundations and institutes, why not become a member? Find an organization that best represents your values and ideas as a journalist and join up to enrich your career with all that organization has to offer.