Best Grants for Journalism

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 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 Robert Sr. and Mary Churchwell Scholarship Fund, established by the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, honors the legacy of Robert Churchwell, Sr., a pioneering African American journalist, and Mary Elizabeth Buckingham Churchwell, a dedicated educator. This scholarship supports journalism students who demonstrate commitment and excellence in their field. Eligible candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA and submit an essay on the role of journalism today. The fund aims to empower future journalists to reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.

The Marilyn Potts Memorial Fund, established by the San Antonio Area Foundation, supports Communications majors or related fields at South Texas universities. Open to current high school seniors and college students, applicants must demonstrate financial need and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. This fund aims to empower students by providing essential financial support for educational expenses, contributing to their academic and professional growth in the communications field.

The ISF Media Scholarship Program, established by the Islamic Scholarship Fund, supports American Muslim students pursuing degrees in media-related fields. With scholarships ranging from $3,000 to $5,000, the program aims to enhance Muslim representation in media and policy, counter negative portrayals, and foster positive narratives. Eligible applicants must be full-time students or working professionals in supported majors like media studies and journalism, maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0.

South Texas students pursuing full-time journalism or communications degrees at accredited U.S. colleges can receive scholarship support for tuition, fees, books, and other educational expenses. Eligible applicants must reside in and be graduates of specified South Texas counties. This renewable Express-News Charitable Foundation Scholarship Fund may benefit emerging journalists preparing for careers in news and media.

High school and postsecondary students from Chelan or Douglas County pursuing creative or journalistic writing can receive scholarship support for their education. The Community Foundation of North Central Washington’s Kathryn Lodge Mhatre Creative Writing Scholarship aids those studying areas like novels, poetry, or journalism, requiring at least a 3.0 GPA and a short original writing sample.

Graduating high school seniors in Chelan, Douglas, or Okanogan counties pursuing journalism or music-related majors can receive scholarship support for higher education. These Doell Family Scholarship awards from the Community Foundation of North Central Washington prioritize financial need, strong grades, and work ethic, and may benefit students involved in school or community journalism programs.

High school seniors pursuing journalism from eligible Elk Grove Unified School District schools can receive $1,000 toward tuition at a four-year university or community college. Grants from Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation help students with financial need who maintain at least a 3.0 GPA and participate in both school and community activities.

Journalism students in the Mass Communications Department at Texas Tech University can access funding through the Community Foundation of West Texas to support their higher education. The Charles A. & Grace Guy Scholarship recognizes financial need, integrity, scholastic potential or achievement, and dedication to improving the world, helping South Plains students pursue academic and journalism careers.

Graduating Maine high school seniors and home-schooled students planning to study journalism or related media fields can receive renewable scholarship support through the Agnes Freyer Gibbs Scholarship Fund. Focused on journalism education, Maine Community Foundation gives preference to female applicants and considers demonstrated interest in journalism, financial need, and academic achievement.

Maine students pursuing journalism or related media fields can receive renewable scholarships supporting college and graduate education in the U.S. Maine Community Foundation provides U.S. journalism students with US $1,000 - US $60,000 based on financial need, academic achievement, and demonstrated commitment to a journalism career, including print, broadcast, or electronic media.

Students pursuing journalism or related media fields who graduated from Maine high schools can receive renewable scholarship support through the Guy P. Gannett Scholarship Fund from Maine Community Foundation. Grants from this fund help future journalists cover higher education costs, and may benefit those involved with school-based or community journalism initiatives.

Organizations and leaders serving K-12 students or educators in the U.S. can receive up to US $1,500 to run journalism-based global health education projects reaching at least 500 participants. Pulitzer Center supports initiatives that use its reporting to deepen understanding of global health, explore media’s role, and inspire sustainable, community-level change.

The Rosenstiel Scholarship, part of the New Mexico Press Women Scholarship Fund, aims to support graduate students in journalism, communications, or law. Established in 2023, it encourages recipients to engage in investigative journalism and uphold First Amendment rights. Eligible candidates must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and submit relevant publications, letters of recommendation, and transcripts. This scholarship not only fosters academic excellence but also promotes ethical standards among future media professionals.

The Harold Cousland Fund for Young Journalists Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, aims to support aspiring journalists pursuing various educational paths. This scholarship is open to students from diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. With a commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Southern New Mexico, the fund seeks to empower the next generation of storytellers and media professionals.

U.S. Civil Society Microgrants

We seek to support projects that engage Pulitzer Center journalism to amplify the voices of affected communities, foster public debate, and drive meaningful audience engagement with our focus areas.

Audience engagement has been at the core of the Pulitzer Center’s work since its founding in 2006. In addition to grants and fellowships that facilitate breakthrough journalism, we support initiatives that connect the reporting to the audiences that need it the most. Our goal is pursuing real-world impact: engaging and mobilizing communities, increasing understanding and connection, and influencing decisions locally and globally. 

This microgrant aims to support civil society organizations and groups in the United States to utilize Pulitzer Center-supported reporting as part of projects that contribute to a more informed and empowered community.

 For this grant cycle, we are seeking grant proposals for civic engagement projects to be completed by early December 2026 that focus on one of the following issues:

• Climate and the environment, with a focus on U.S fisheries and fishing communities or climate and labor
• Information and Artificial Intelligence
• Global health, with specific focus on mental well-being or connections to the Global South

The objective is to use Pulitzer Center-supported journalism as the inspiration for the projects supported by this civil society microgrant. By leveraging this reporting, we expect to build projects that amplify the voices of affected communities, foster public debate, and drive meaningful audience engagement that will lead to impactful conversations in communities in the U.S. and beyond.

Grants range from US$2,000 to US$4,000. Project proposals can support existing activities or support the launch of new activities. 

The Mid-Illinois Communications Association Scholarship supports rising juniors, seniors, and graduate students pursuing communications-related fields such as journalism, public relations, and marketing. Applicants must be from Central Illinois or attend a Central Illinois college, and they should be direct descendants of U.S. Service Members. This scholarship fosters educational growth for those committed to serving their communities through effective communication.

The Council Connect grant from the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council aims to enhance public awareness of developmental disabilities. It will create resources and outreach initiatives to educate communities, especially underserved populations. The selected grantee will coordinate communication efforts to share stories, promote resources, and engage with community organizations. This initiative aligns with the Council's mission to improve independence and inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities, ultimately fostering a more informed and connected community.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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

The U.S. Department of State's Embassy Kyiv is offering a competition for Ukrainian media organizations to enhance data-driven journalism using AI. This initiative aims to improve investigative reporting on economic recovery and support regional media amidst staffing shortages. By fostering skilled journalism and utilizing U.S. AI technology, the program aligns with U.S. foreign policy objectives, promoting resilience against foreign influence and encouraging a transparent media environment essential for Ukraine's reconstruction and democratic development.

The Gilbert M and Martha H Hitchcock FoundationThe Gilbert M and Martha H Hitchcock Foundation is one of the oldest private, continuously run family foundations in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 80 years serving the greater metro Omaha and Council Bluffs area with philanthropic support. From the start, the foundation matched the Hitchcocks' passions: supporting local journalism and the hard-working youth who delivered it, supporting religious institutions, promoting Omaha's growth, and providing care to the sick and elderly. In time, its focus has expanded to include private and higher education, the arts, conservation and animal welfare, preserving history, and social service organizations serving the greater Omaha and Council Bluffs area.