Best Grants for Journalism in Massachusetts

Journalism and research-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in Massachusetts can seek funding for projects that translate or report on scientific research, public education, and advocacy related to pollinator health and ecologically responsible agriculture. With a mission to promote pollinator health, One Hive Foundation provides up to US $75,000 for work in the U.S. and Canada, including the Northeast.

Stark Community Foundation is one of the area’s major sources of college scholarship support— thanks to the generosity of caring individuals, families and businesses that have created scholarship funds.

The Foundation currently manages more than 100 scholarship funds that support hundreds of deserving students each year from Stark and Carroll counties. In 2025, more than $1,000,000 was awarded to local students to help them achieve their educational dreams.

The Velma Shotwell Griffin Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Velma Shotwell Griffin Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to assist graduates of Conotton Valley or Carrollton High Schools planning to enroll, or currently enrolled, at an accredited college or university to pursue further education in the following fields: History, Writing (not limited to, English, Journalism, Language Arts, Communications and programs in Mass Media), Graphic Arts, Music (which shall include but not limited to, vocal music, instrumental music, music history, music education, and music performance) and any other program or field of study approved by the Selection Committee. 

Amount:

• Varies. Minimum $500.

Renewable:

• Yes

American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students in journalism, literature, communication, or related fields studying full-time in the U.S., including Massachusetts, can receive need-based support for tuition and academic costs. Grants from Native Forward Scholars Fund are awarded based on institutional financial aid information and require verified Tribal affiliation or eligible descendant status.

Journalism-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in Massachusetts and across North America can seek funding for Adventist communication projects, including investigative reporting, storytelling, training, and related travel or technology costs. Versacare provides US $5,000 - US $15,000 grants to Seventh-day Adventist publications, educational institutions, and independent outlets reporting on issues affecting the Adventist church.

Journalism organizations and freelance reporters producing U.S. health care affordability coverage can receive a US $20,000 prize in this national award, including entrants based in Massachusetts. With a mission to recognize impactful reporting, the National Institute for Health Care Management honors television, audio, streaming, and podcast work that advances understanding of health costs, access, and quality.

Journalism organizations and local media outlets in Massachusetts producing U.S. health care affordability coverage can compete for a US $15,000 Local Media Award. The National Institute for Health Care Management honors high-quality, original local reporting that offers new insights for health plans, policymakers, and health care stakeholders on costs, access, and quality.

Journalism outlets producing investigative or general reporting on U.S. health care affordability and access, including Massachusetts-based organizations with national reach, can apply for the National Institute for Health Care Management’s Investigative and General Reporting Award. This US $20,000 prize honors high-quality, original work from national newspapers, magazines, websites, and nonprofit news organizations that generates new insights for health plans and policymakers.

Journalists and specialty publications covering U.S. health care affordability can apply for the National Institute for Health Care Management’s Trade Journalism Award, which provides a US $15,000 prize. Massachusetts journalism outlets producing 2025 stories or series for specialty audiences on costs, access, and quality of care may be eligible.

Society of American Foresters provides Massachusetts journalism professionals with an honorarium and travel support for outstanding coverage of forestry and natural resources topics. This national award recognizes impactful print, television, or radio work that builds public understanding and advances forestry science, management, or education, and is granted through nominations from SAF state or regional units.

Students interested in journalism in Massachusetts and beyond can receive scholarship support for higher education, provided they demonstrate a clear interest in journalism and submit samples of their work. The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region offers the Gene Robb Journalism Scholarship through its universal application, which qualifies applicants for multiple scholarship opportunities.

High school seniors interested in journalism and needing financial assistance can apply for the Michael Hurewitz Scholarship, supporting students from the Greater Capital Region. With a mission to empower generous people with meaningful giving opportunities, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region provides academic scholarship support that may benefit aspiring journalists similar to those in Massachusetts.

Journalists and media outlets producing investigative or social-justice reporting can receive monthly recognition and US $1,000 honoraria from the Sidney Hillman Foundation, including those based in Massachusetts. Focused on journalism, the foundation invites nominations for outstanding work in any medium that serves the common good and fosters social justice.

Massachusetts journalists covering technology and society can access funding through Omidyar Network Fund to support intensive reporting projects. U.S.-based freelancers, staff reporters, editors, and teams may apply for US $5,000 - US $25,000 to cover travel, research, fact-checking, data access, multimedia, and reporting time on AI, tech policy, industry investigations, and workplace or family impacts.

Massachusetts K-12 institutions and organizations serving at least 500 students and/or educators can apply for Pulitzer Center’s K-12 Education Grant Program on Global Health, offering up to US $1,500 for journalism-based projects. Eligible libraries, museums, community centers, schools, bookstores, and afterschool organizations can use Center-supported reporting to explore global health and media with their communities.

Massachusetts journalism students can access funding through Maine Community Foundation’s Guy P. Gannett Journalism Scholarship, which offers US $1,000 - US $60,000 for post-secondary or graduate study in journalism or related media fields. Eligible applicants must be graduates of Maine high schools or home-schooled in a Maine community during their final secondary year.

High school and postsecondary students pursuing creative or journalistic writing from Chelan or Douglas County can apply for the Kathryn Lodge Mhatre Creative Writing Scholarship to support their education. Grants from Community Foundation of North Central Washington help aspiring writers, including those interested in journalism, continue their studies and develop their craft.

Students pursuing journalism or communications degrees in the U.S. can receive scholarship support for tuition, fees, books, and other educational expenses through the Express-News Charitable Foundation Scholarship Fund. With a mission to support education, San Antonio Area Foundation provides funding that may benefit Massachusetts students who are South Texas residents and graduates meeting the program’s residency and academic criteria.

Muslim undergraduate and graduate students in journalism, media studies, or related writing fields in Massachusetts can receive US $3,000 - US $5,000 to support their studies through the ISF Media Scholarship Program. Islamic Scholarship Fund provides U.S.-based scholars with funding plus mentorship and career support to advance American Muslim representation in media and journalism.

Journalism students pursuing junior, senior, graduate, or PhD studies who need financial aid can receive scholarship support for their education, including those studying in Massachusetts. Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Robert Sr. and Mary Churchwell Scholarship Fund supports aspiring journalists with strong GPAs, a commitment to the profession, writing samples, and an essay on journalism’s role today.

Journalism and communications students needing tuition or fee support who have ties to San Antonio–area counties or attend school in San Antonio may be eligible for this scholarship, including those from Massachusetts. San Antonio Area Foundation’s San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists Scholarship Fund supports full-time students pursuing journalism, communications, or related communications careers at U.S. colleges and universities.

Students pursuing STEM, education, accounting, or journalism degrees at 4-year accredited U.S. institutions can receive up to US $4,400 in need-based support through the Liz Colantuono & Mark Sanz Endowment Scholarship. Offered by United Negro College Fund, it serves Native American students and adult refugees or their children from select Western states.

The Rhoden Fellowship, supported by ESPN and administered by the United Negro College Fund, is a year-long program designed to empower students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Participants will serve as correspondents, creating multimedia content for Andscape, covering major sports events, and producing a bi-weekly podcast. This opportunity not only fosters journalistic skills but also promotes engagement with the HBCU community, paving the way for future leaders in journalism.

The Jerry and Martha Taylor Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Quad Cities Community Foundation, supports students from Rock Island County pursuing post-secondary education. With awards of up to $1,000, this scholarship is not renewable and is open to applicants with a minimum GPA of 2.75. Preference is given to students majoring in journalism, theater arts, or special education, or those attending accredited trade schools.

Washington County Community Foundation

The Washington County Community Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life in Washington County by promoting and facilitating philanthropy. We accomplish this by assuming four philanthropic roles of Grantmaker, Donor Service Organization, Fundraiser, and Community Leader. Fostering philanthropy by offering charitable gifting opportunities to donors on an individualized basis and at reasonable fees, we make charitable giving easier, more satisfying, and more effective. 

The Foundation is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of Pennsylvania, which is registered with the Pennsylvania Charities Bureau and annually files the Federal Form 990.

Scholarships for Post-Secondary (Undergraduate) School

The Foundation provides both need-based and merit-based scholarships to students in Washington County, with a few scholarships also available to students in Greene County. All scholarships are made payable to the educational institution the student is attending. 

Curtis Wachter Scholarship Fund

For a current year graduating senior who resides within the boundaries of any Washington County or Greene County school district, who intends to study photography, photojournalism, or a related discipline.

Marshfield Area Community Foundation Scholarships

The mission of the Marshfield Area Community Foundation is “Connecting people who care with causes that matter to enrich the quality of life in the Marshfield area”. Education is a valuable tool and a cause that matters to all of us. Through assisting students with financial support to receive an education, not only do students and the families of those students benefit, but also our community benefits, which further allows us to achieve our mission of enriching the quality of life in the Marshfield area.

Geographical Area

The official geographic service area of Marshfield Area Community Foundation, Inc., beginning to our west and traveling clockwise, includes the following communities in addition to Marshfield (It also includes towns and rural areas between these communities.): Chili, Granton, Neillsville, Loyal, Greenwood, Withee, Owen, Spencer, Unity, Colby, Curtiss, Pittsville, Abbotsford, Dorchester, Stetsonville, Medford, Stratford, Rozellville, Hewitt, Auburndale, Blenker, Milladore, Sherry, Arpin.

Marshfield Lions Club Edward W. Heller Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is for a student studying communication or journalism attending school full-time. Preference to a student entering their junior or senior year of undergraduate school OR a student attending a graduate school. Scholarship is renewable for a total of 4 years. Only one scholarship awarded per year.

About Us

Making a Difference, Together

The Community Foundation of Monroe County (CFMC) builds a thriving, inclusive community through the power of philanthropy. By connecting generous donors with local causes, we help ensure Monroe County remains a place where everyone can thrive. Since our founding, we’ve been a trusted steward of community resources, fostering impactful collaborations and sustainable solutions to address challenges in education, health, poverty, and community development.

Scholarship Opportunities

Whether you’re heading to college, pursuing a technical career, or furthering your education as an adult, there’s a scholarship for you.

Grattan and Stephen T. Gray Scholarship

Awarded to Monroe County high school graduates entering the field of journalism.

The Scripps Howard Fund, a public charity established by The E.W. Scripps Company is dedicated to creating informed and engaged communities through journalism education, childhood literacy and local causes. At the crossroads of the classroom and the newsroom, the Fund is a leader in supporting journalism through scholarships, internships, minority recruitment and development and First Amendment causes. The Scripps Howard Awards stand as one of the industry’s top honors for outstanding journalism.

Students with internship experiences are more likely to find employment upon graduation than those without, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. During the past decade, more than 500 students have honed their skills in newsrooms across the country, thanks to Scripps Howard internships. The Scripps Howard Fund created the internship program in 2023, in partnership with the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), aimed at giving students an equal opportunity for high-quality, hands-on experience. INN leads a network of more than 500 independent newsrooms across North America.