Funding Investigative Journalism: Grants and Opportunities

Finding Money to Fund Investigations

What costs are covered?

Programs Vary. Focus on Expenses Travel reporting trips (airfare, gas/mileage, meals) Fees for records (copies, redaction charges) Reporting time; editor s time Research assistance Subscription-based reporting tools Data analysis Design/visualization Multimedia components Wild cards

Who helps Ed reporters?

6 Sources of Grants for Reporting Expenses

See www.fij.org Up to $10,000 Freelancer or staff/outlet Any topic, any medium U.S. only Next deadlines Sept. 9 (regular grants, up to $10,000) Sept. 20 (seed grants for early reporting, up to $2,500)

See www.pulitzercenter.org Flexible, but usually $5,000 to $10,000 Freelancer or staff/outlet (rarely covers reporter time) Any topic, any medium U.S. and global programs Next deadlines Open/rolling deadline

See www.typeinvestigations.org $3,000 to $6,000, plus editorial and other support Freelancers Any topic, any medium U.S. and global programs Next deadlines Open/rolling deadline

See www.iwmf.org Several programs Some cap at $5,000; some up to $10,000 Freelancers and, in some programs, staff (women and nonbinary) Topics vary by program: missing Indigenous women, narrative, etc U.S. and global Next deadlines Open/rolling deadline for missing Indigenous program; others will be posted soon for July/Aug and Nov/Dec deadlines

See www.aliciapatterson.org 6-month and 12-month fellowships (effectively grants) 6-month is $20,000; 12-month is $40,000 Freelancers or staff, based in U.S., for U.S. or global stories Next deadline Nov. 1

See www.mcgrawcenter.org Up to $15,000, plus editorial support Freelancers or staff, for stories in all types of media Business journalism defined broadly (following the money) Next deadline Oct. 6

See www.datadrivenreporting.medill,northwestern.edu Up to $50,000 Freelancers or newsrooms For data- or document-driven stories, especially those focused on specific geographic areas and/or under-represented communities Next deadline TBA

What do I need to apply?

Typical components of applications Summary a short pitch Narrative proposal outlining the story and your reporting plan Budget Resume Clips

What makes a good proposal?

Pay attention to this part Tips for getting money

How to Identify Funders and Apply Look for credit lines on related stories Subscribe to funder groups newsletters (consider separate email box re funding) Read funders websites for FAQs and other stories they re funded Start early; aim to submit 24+ hours before deadline Proof and polish your material Focus most on the summary and the proposal

The Key: Summary and Proposal Don t breeze through your summary; perfect it Summary is like a nut graf; narrative proposal is like an editor s memo Don t start narrative from scratch; repurpose/tailor Write the narrative for a skimmer (subheads, etc.) Include initial findings in the narrative Provide a detailed reporting plan Budget should be detailed and track with reporting plan

How to Develop a Budget Like the proposal, it should be tailored to funder Read funder requirements carefully Look for sample budget/guidance on funder website Budget should be detailed and track reporting plan Show your math and how you arrived at estimates If it s complex, have a simple budget and then a second, more detailed one underneath it If a short narrative is warranted/allowed, focus on need

Other Dos and Donts Be persistent, but smart about it If rejected, ask if there s feedback that could make the proposal stronger for the next cycle (and whether resubmission is possible) Don t resubmit blindly and without revisions Don t argue, badger or beg During review, answer follow-up Qs quickly/succinctly If approved, communicate about any big changes

The big secret to remember Funders want to give money to good projects

Eric Ferrero eferrero@fij.org Easier: grants@fij.org