New York, N.Y. — A partnership of four foundations — The Ford Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, McCormick Tribune Foundation, and Ethics & Excellence in Journalism Foundation — today announced the results of the Challenge Fund for Journalism (CFJ) III as well as the new CFJ IV grant awards.  The Challenge Fund for Journalism is a capacity-building initiative launched in 2003 that helps journalism organizations broaden their base of financial support through challenge grants, fund-raising training, and organizational development coaching. 

Journalism organizations today are coping with the economic struggles of the media industry which has lead to limited financial support from corporate and philanthropic sources, high turnover among volunteers, and greater pressure to collaborate and digitize.  The Challenge Fund for Journalism helps to ensure that these organizations, which are critical to supporting journalists and media managers, have the leadership, organizational infrastructure, and financial resources needed to adopt and sustain their programs in the future.  The challenge grants, which require a one-to-one or one-to-two match, are complemented by a host of networking opportunities, organizational development and fund-raising trainings, and customized coaching.

Over the past year, 15 CFJ III grantees successfully raised $1,365,255 to match $584,500 in grant awards. CFJ III grantees were extraordinarily successful in their fund-raising efforts, collectively raising $400,000 more than required by their match.

CFJ IV is now launching with another 12 journalism organizations.  They have been awarded a total of $514,000 in challenge grants, and will have one year to match or double their specific award:

The Challenge Fund for Journalism is a wonderful opportunity for journalism organizations to begin the process of achieving long-term sustainability which ultimately strengthens the entire journalism profession,” said Bob Ross, CEO of Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation.  The first three CFJ cycles included 32 journalism organizations that received $1.79 million and raised another $3.28 million in matching contributions.

“We are very excited to join this innovative collaboration of funding partners,” said Clark Bell, director of journalism at the McCormick Tribune Foundation. “As traditional support for journalism decreases, it is vital that journalism organizations have the knowledge and resources 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 bottom line for many years to come.”

“This is a classic example of helping people learn to fish, rather than simply handing out fish. Most private giving in this country comes from individuals. Journalism organizations need to be able to raise money directly from individuals,” said Eric Newton, vice president of journalism programs for Knight Foundation.

The new grantees meet in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 8 to kick off the Challenge Fund for Journalism IV.

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 Tribune 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 New York office of TCC Group (http://www.tccgrp.com), a 27 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.