Developing educated, informed, and engaged citizens.
To support media organizations responding to local information needs related to COVID-19 and covering the public health emergency’s impact on Chicagoland communities. All organizations that receive a grant must make the coverage they produce with these funds freely available to the public.
Six-month grants, up to $10,000
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
The fund will prioritize support for organizations meeting the following criteria:
This grant opportunity is open to for-profit and nonprofit media outlets.
For-Profit OutletsFor-profit outlets will need to demonstrate how this grant would support work in the public benefit that would not otherwise be possible. Grant funds may not be used for capital expenses. Grant funds may be used for: reporter (staff or freelance) compensation, operating costs related to COVID-19 coverage, e.g. non-capital technology costs that enable remote working, such as Zoom.
Nonprofit OutletsFor nonprofit outlets, grant funds will be unrestricted in purpose.
No funds may be used to support political campaign activity. Grantees will be required to report on the use of the funds.
This new, short-term fund will offer immediate support to media organizations focused on meeting their communities’ information needs related to COVID-19.
In an emergency, whether it be a natural disaster, violent conflict, or global pandemic, consistent access to trusted, quality information is essential to restoring peace, health, and security. As the world contends with the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans are looking local for news of how to contend with the growing public health emergency. Yet local outlets, already facing uncertain financial futures, are suffering added pressure as COVID-19-driven quarantine policies and ensuing event cancellations hit ad and sponsorship revenue. This threat is especially grave for small community and ethnic media outlets, which serve many populations already facing higher barriers to information as a result of digital divides, economic and educational capacity, and preferring news in languages other than English.
Despite sudden, steep, financial challenges, from COVID-19 and the related global economic fallout, journalists are working around the clock to monitor a rapidly evolving situation. This combination of diminishing resources and augmented demand is placing an unprecedented strain on Chicago’s local media.
Local outlets are in urgent need of augmented support to withstand the short-term pressures on their bottom line and on their editors, reporters, and staff as they work to cover COVID-19. The current crisis will also likely have long-term consequences. Already, major donors are contacting outlets they support to notify them of the impact recent downturns in the financial markets will have on their ability to contribute this year and in future years, recalling a similar downturn in major gifts after the Great Recession.
To apply, visit the McCormick Foundation’s online grant application portal. You will need to provide the following information via the portal:
This fund was established by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the Polk Bros. Foundation, and the Field Foundation to enhance the resiliency of Chicago’s critical news information ecosystem. We invite others to join us in ensuring communities have reliable access to trusted, quality information by donating to this fund. If you are interested, please contact Andres Torres, Democracy Program Officer, at antorres@mccormickfoundation.org to learn more.
From tips on working from home to self-care advice, The Lenfest Institute has a regularly updated list of Resources for Local Newsrooms.
The Reporter’s Committee for Freedom of the Press has new resources to ensure government transparency during the pandemic and a hotline open seven days a week for journalists needing support.
Carrie Brown, Social Journalism director at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY offers ideas and recommendations for meeting community needs during the pandemic.
Journalist’s Resource, a publication of Harvard’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy offers guidance to help journalists avoid spreading misinformation. Also, check-out the #CoronaVirusFacts Alliance’s Fact Check Database.
The Poynter Institute is offering various resources to support journalists and journalism educators, and through May 31, 2020 has dropped all tuition for webinars and self-directed courses.
News Revenue Hub has advice for how outlets can navigate the increased demand for reporting sustainably.
The recently passed federal stimulus package could help nonprofit and commercial news media outlets. The News Media Alliance and Nonprofit Quarterly have early coverage on the evolving process.
The Institute for Nonprofit News is compiling resources for nonprofit newsrooms, including funding.
Local Journalism
Engage Youth
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Shawn HealyProgram Director
All Democracy Staff
Before submitting a proposal, organizations must submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) to the McCormick Foundation
Grant Guidelines
Letter of Inquiry Process