Media Grants

A key role of the Gannett Foundation is investing in the future of the media industry. The Gannett Foundation supports several journalism education and training programs each year.

Our media funding mission is to support media training, technological advances in the industry, and the study of journalism at the college level, with particular attention to the First Amendment and its responsibilities. The Foundation particularly favors programs or projects that benefit the areas in which Gannett does business and that seek to encourage diversity in newsrooms and in coverage.

Our priorities are encouraging college students to enter the field of journalism and supporting innovative, national and regional training for current journalists. We do not consider funding local community programs or those at community colleges and high schools.

Eligible organizations:

• Tax-exempt public charities classified by the Internal Revenue Service as Section 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2).
• Tax-exempt degree-granting four-year colleges or universities.

To apply for a media grant, a proposal must include the following:

1. a completed Gannett Foundation Grant Application Form 
2. IRS letter of determination for 501(c)3 tax exemption
3. detailed listing of proposed use of requested funds, a one-page program budget, and a one-page summary of organization’s budget
4. program description of no more than three pages that includes:
   • needs statement
     • objectives of the program to be funded
     • whether the program is new or ongoing
     • constituency to be served 
   • sustainability statement 
     • your organization's qualifications to carry out the program
     • how the program will be evaluated (include any tracking or historical information available)
     • plans for continued funding of the program, if applicable
     • other funding sources, committed and applied for.

Note: When requesting funding for journalist conventions, include data on attendance at 3 prior conventions.

Mail the proposal to the Foundation’s Executive Director, Ms. Pat Lyle, at the following address:

Gannett Foundation Media Committee
7950 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, VA 22107
 
Deadlines: The media committee meets and reviews proposals three times during the year. Applications should be submitted by one of these deadlines: March 1, July 15, or November 1. You will be notified of the committee’s decision via email in 60 to 90 days after the deadline.

2012 Media Grant Highlights