Challenge Fund for Journalism

Site Url: http://www.fordfound.org/newsroom/pressreleases/79
Location: New York, N.Y.

Challenge Fund for Journalism is a a consortium of the Ford, McCormick,and Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundations. Piloted in 2004, CFJ was introduced amid extraordinary and difficult changes in the news media profession. Not only have journalism organizations seen a significant decline in financial support from corporate and philanthropic sources, but also a severe contraction in the industry as a whole. The current economic crisis has only exacerbated these difficulties, demonstrating more than ever the need to build the capacity of organizations to expand and diversify their financial base of support.

The Challenge Fund initiative addresses this need by providing a combination of grants and customized coaching, technical assistance, and peer networking opportunities to ensure that journalism groups have the leadership, infrastructure, and financial resources needed to increase their adaptability and promote long-term sustainability. Grantees are chosen through a competitive process that utilizes criteria such as readiness for capacity building, commitment to organizational change, commitment to revenue diversification, and potential impact of CFJ on organizational development and sustainability.

The New York office of TCC Group a 30 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.

Grants: 1) Chicago Reporter $75,000, 2010; 2) Investigative Reporting Workshop $75,000 2010; 3) New York Community Media Alliance $75,000, 2010; 4) Twin Cities Media Alliance $75,000, 2010; 5) Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism (Wisconsin Watch) $75,000, 2010