Best Grants for Journalism in Illinois

Illinois journalism organizations, especially nonprofits, can access funding through the Joyce Foundation to support independent, nonpartisan investigative reporting and related projects. Eligible efforts focus on issues affecting the Great Lakes region, strengthen local and community news, build the nonprofit journalism network, or support early-career journalists, particularly journalists of color.

Illinois journalism and voting-rights organizations can access funding through the Joyce Foundation to support research, policy development, litigation, and public engagement on democracy issues. Grants of US $25,000 - US $125,000 back work on voting rights and elections, census data accuracy, and fair representation, with an emphasis on Great Lakes states and communities of color and young voters.

RFP: Press Forward Chicago – Collaborations & Infrastructure

Press Forward Chicago is a grantmaking initiative administered by The Chicago Community Trust—designed in partnership with the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and local journalism donors and practitioners.

Examples of Potential Projects (not an exhaustive list – we are open to new ideas):

• Collaborative revenue projects
• Collaborative cost-saving projects
• Audience growth/engagement projects
• Creator/influencer partnerships
• Print distribution collaboration
• Subsidized professional services and trainings for individual journalists and newsrooms in the Chicago region
• Mental health, legal, or safety support for journalists and newsrooms

Grant Amounts Available & Grant Term

• Maximum Request Amount: $200,000 over two years ($100,000 per year)
• Minimum Request Amount: $10,000 for one year
• Grants Available: We will aim to award up to $1,800,000 in total during this grant cycle for one- and two-year project

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

The Congressman Mark Foley Scholarship for Journalism Education Fund

Must be enrolled in a program with a major in Journalism.

Illinois students pursuing journalism or related writing, media, history, music, or graphic arts degrees may be eligible if they are graduates of Conotton Valley or Carrollton High Schools and demonstrate financial need. Stark Community Foundation’s Velma Shotwell Griffin Memorial Scholarship Fund offers renewable awards of more than US $500 for accredited college or university study.

American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students in journalism, literature, communication, or related fields studying full-time in the U.S. can receive need-based support through the Katrin Lamon Fellowship. Grants from Native Forward Scholars Fund help Illinois and other U.S. students with tuition and academic expenses when they demonstrate Tribal affiliation via a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Journalism-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in Illinois and across North America can receive US $5,000 - US $15,000 to support Adventist-related reporting and media projects. Versacare provides funding for investigative stories, innovative communication, training, technology, travel, and recognition programs that strengthen ethical Adventist journalism and storytelling; grants are awarded annually in March and September.

Journalism organizations and freelance reporters producing U.S. health care television, audio, or streaming stories may be eligible for this NIHCM Foundation award, including those based in Illinois. With a mission to recognize impactful reporting, the National Institute for Health Care Management provides a US $20,000 prize for work on health care affordability, access, and quality.

Journalism organizations producing local reporting on U.S. health care affordability in Illinois can compete for a US $15,000 Local Media Award, recognizing excellence in coverage that informs health plans, policymakers, and consumers. The National Institute for Health Care Management honors newspaper, magazine, and nonprofit news outlets whose 2025 work offers impactful insights on costs, access, and quality.

Journalism outlets and nonprofit news organizations in Illinois and nationwide producing investigative or general reporting on U.S. health care affordability can apply for this award, which offers a US $20,000 prize. Grants from the National Institute for Health Care Management help support high-quality reporting that informs health plans, policymakers, providers, and health care consumers.

Journalists and specialty publications in Illinois covering U.S. health care affordability and access can apply for the National Institute for Health Care Management’s Trade Journalism Award; awards US $15,000 for outstanding reporting. Eligible entries are 2025 stories or series for specialty audiences that inform health plans, policymakers, and related stakeholders.

Journalists and media outlets in Illinois covering forestry and natural resources can receive recognition and support through the Outstanding Forestry Journalism Award, which includes more than US $500 plus convention and travel benefits. Society of American Foresters honors impactful print, television, or radio work that strengthens public understanding of forestry issues.

Students in Illinois with a demonstrated interest in journalism can receive support for higher education through the Gene Robb Journalism Scholarship, which funds academic study in journalism. The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region uses a universal application so applicants can be considered for this and other journalism-related scholarship opportunities.

High school seniors with financial need and a demonstrated interest in journalism can receive scholarship support through the Michael Hurewitz Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region. With a mission to empower meaningful giving, the foundation helps students pursue higher education in journalism and related fields, which may benefit future Illinois-focused reporting careers.

Journalists producing investigative or commentary work that advances social justice can receive monthly recognition and US $1,000 awards from the Sidney Hillman Foundation. Focused on journalism, the foundation invites Illinois reporters and media outlets to submit outstanding pieces from any medium that appeared in the prior month for Sidney Award consideration.

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

Illinois 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. Schools, libraries, museums, community centers, bookstores, and afterschool organizations using Pulitzer-supported reporting on global health may be eligible.

Illinois journalism students can access funding through Maine Community Foundation’s Guy P. Gannett Journalism Scholarship, which supports graduates of Maine high schools or Maine home-schoolers studying journalism or related media fields. Awards range from US $1,000 - US $60,000 and are renewable through post-secondary and graduate education for students committed to journalism careers.

High school and postsecondary students interested in creative writing from Chelan or Douglas County can receive scholarship support to pursue studies in areas like novels, poetry, or journalism. Grants from Community Foundation of North Central Washington help aspiring writers with at least a 3.0 GPA who submit a brief original writing sample; Illinois journalism students may find similar opportunities elsewhere.

Students pursuing full-time journalism or communications degrees can receive scholarship support for tuition and educational expenses through the Express-News Charitable Foundation Scholarship Fund. With a mission to build community, San Antonio Area Foundation provides U.S. higher-education funding for South Texas residents; Illinois journalism students may not be eligible unless they meet this residency requirement.

Muslim undergraduate and graduate students in journalism, media studies, or related writing fields in the U.S., including Illinois, can receive US $3,000 - US $5,000 for their studies through the ISF Media Scholarship Program. Islamic Scholarship Fund provides funding plus mentorship and career support to increase American Muslim representation in media and improve public opinion and policy.

Journalism students pursuing junior, senior, graduate, or PhD studies who need financial aid can receive scholarship support for higher education, including students from Illinois. Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Robert Sr. and Mary Churchwell Scholarship Fund backs those committed to journalism careers, requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA, an essay, work samples, and service activities.

The San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists Scholarship Fund, administered by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports students pursuing degrees in Journalism or Communications. Eligible applicants include high school seniors and college students from specific Texas counties or those attending schools in San Antonio. The scholarship aims to foster educational opportunities and promote diversity in media, helping students achieve their career goals in the communications field.

The Liz Colantuono & Mark Sanz Endowment Scholarship, offered by the United Negro College Fund, provides need-based financial support to Native American students and adult refugees enrolled or accepted at accredited U.S. four-year institutions. With a focus on those facing financial challenges, this scholarship aims to empower students who demonstrate a commitment to education in STEM, education, accounting, or journalism, thereby fostering future leaders in these fields.

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.

The Hearst Journalism Awards Program, established in 1960, supports journalism education by awarding scholarships to outstanding undergraduate students. With $700,000 available, this program includes competitions across writing, photojournalism, audio, television, and multimedia categories. Each participating university can submit two entries per competition, fostering excellence in journalism. The Hearst Foundation, a long-standing supporter of educational initiatives, underlines the importance of quality journalism and supports students actively engaged in media.