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Esserman/Knight Journalism Awards is a grant from the Knight Foundation that recognizes and supports outstanding journalism that serves the public interest, with emphasis on local and community reporting. Awards honor journalists and news organizations producing work that informs, engages, and strengthens communities.
Eligible applicants include individual journalists, news organizations, and media projects operating in Knight-funded communities. Award amounts vary by category; the program may include cash prizes, fellowships, or project support grants. Applicants should review current award guidelines for active categories, eligibility details, and application deadlines.
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The Esserman Family Fund for Investigative Journalism We are eternal optimists and Miami’s greatest fans. We connect people to knowledge, mobilize people to action, and solve challenges through collaboration. Our Community’s Priorities We are responsive to our community’s needs and house nearly 1,000 community efforts across every issue area.
Empowering Youth & Families Building Climate & Disaster Resilience Inspiring Civic Involvement Get involved. Make a donation or learn more about ways to give back. Everyone has a role to play.
Get Support for My Nonprofit Understand My Giving Options Esserman-Knight Journalism Awards The Esserman Family Fund for Investigative Journalism honors and supports courageous local reporting and embodies the Esserman family’s commitment to a more informed South Florida. 2026 Esserman-Knight Journalism Award Nominations are now OPEN !
About the Esserman-Knight Journalism Awards Donate to the Fund for Investigative Journalism More About Ronald and Charlene Esserman About the Esserman-Knight Journalism Awards The Esserman-Knight Journalism Awards honor excellence in investigative and public service reporting that exposes injustice, amplifies community voices and holds the powerful to account in South Florida.
Anyone can nominate a journalist or a team of journalists for outstanding original reporting from Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach or Monroe counties that was produced in 2025. Nominations of an article, a series of related articles (up to three) on a single or related topic are considered for this honor.
Nominations are encouraged across different mediums, including print, digital, television, radio, podcasts, video, audio, data visualization, and documentary film (up to 120 minutes in length are eligible). Entries should serve the public by holding the powerful to account, shining a light on a pervasive or underreported community problem, or breaking new ground on an issue.
The submissions will be judged by the quality of analysis and storytelling, the rigor of newsgathering, the inclusion of community voices, and the impact on public understanding or action. Jurors include highly experienced professional journalists, members of the community and the Esserman family. 2026 Nominations are now OPEN!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) The awards are by nomination only. Self nominations are not accepted. The awards include a $10,000 first prize, a $5,000 second prize, and honorable mentions at $1,000.
Winners will be notified in April 2 02 6 , with a public announcement and awards event to follow. Click here to submit a nomination now. For further information, please consult our frequently asked questions (FAQ) or email essermanknight@miamifoundation.
org . In 2019, the Esserman family and the John S. and James L.
Knight Foundation created these awards to raise awareness about the importance of local news and to honor outstanding journalists in South Florida. The family also created The Esserman Family Fund for Investigative Journalism at The Miami Foundation that supports fellowships for investigative reporters in South Florida.
About The Esserman Family Fund For Investigative Journalism The Esserman Family Fund for Investigative Journalism honors and strengthens accountability reporting in South Florida by supporting reporters whose work has the power to change laws and lives.
This initiative, created by Ronald and Charlene Esserman and their family, is a way to herald the importance of a free press and fortify journalism’s crucial role in ensuring democratic freedoms. The Essermans believe that amplifying the voices of journalists and their courageous work will keep the community focused on injustice, suppression, and corruption and galvanize us to stand up for change.
About Ron & Charlene Esserman After the couple moved to Miami from Chicago in 1968, Ron built a network of businesses in South Florida in the automotive industry, heralded for his focus on quality and integrity. Ron brought humanism to his workplace and invested in the advancement and well-being of his employees.
Ron and Charlene also supported many community causes, establishing organizations that contributed to the cultural health and well-being of Miami-Dade County. They helped establish Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate Foundation, and shaped the Miami City Ballet, the Florida Grand Opera and the Arsht Center.
Throughout their lives, they have been engaged in the political process and supported candidates and causes that focused on guaranteeing free speech, equality for all, quality education and access to resources to enable everyone to have a chance to build a better life.
Ronald Esserman (January 8, 1927 – July 20, 2020) Visionary Mind, Optimistic Spirit, Generous Heart You can join the Essermans in their work to safeguard a free press and democracy through a donation of any size. Click the button to donate to the Esserman Family Fund for Investigative Journalism. PLEASE NOTE: The Miami Foundation only accepts donations through its secure portals at MiamiFoundation.
org, GiveMiamiDay. org, or FCsuite. com.
We do NOT solicit donations via robocall, WhatsApp, group chat, or any other online platform. We also do not recruit people for stock or cryptocurrency investments. Please direct any donation questions to info@miamifoundation.
org . The Miami Foundation is building a Greater Miami where everyone can thrive. Since 1967, The Foundation has invested over $905M to strengthen our community in partnership with more than 1,000 fundholders and over 60,000 donors.
By accelerating leadership, generosity, and a sense of belonging across Miami, we inspire people to become changemakers, and we create ways for donors, nonprofits, leaders, and locals to work together on solutions for our community. At The Miami Foundation, everyone has a role they can play in creating a thriving Greater Miami. 40 NW 3rd Street, Suite 305 E: info@miamifoundation.
org Driving & Parking Directions The Miami Foundation is a nonprofit organization exempt from federal income taxes under subsection 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service tax code. The EIN Number is 65-0350357. Type and Press “enter” to Search Please Note: We never use WhatsApp/TikTok/Calls/Texts to solicit funds or investments of any kind.
Beware of scams using any foundation’s name, including ours.
Scoring criteria used to review proposals for this grant.
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Journalists or teams of journalists whose original reporting from Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, or Monroe counties was produced in 2025. Nominations only; self-nominations not accepted. Various mediums eligible: print, digital, TV, radio, podcasts, video, audio, data visualization, documentary film (up to 120 min). Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $10,000 first prize, $5,000 second prize, $1,000 honorable mentions. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
This listing does not include a published deadline, but it is an annual program. Check the official notice for the current cycle's exact dates.
Esserman-Knight Journalism Awards is funded by Knight Foundation (administered by The Miami Foundation). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Florida. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
The solicitation lists one required document: Nominated article or series of related articles (up to three) on a single or related topic. Check the official notice for formatting and page-limit rules.
Empowering Communities Grants is sponsored by PPL Foundation. These grants enrich the overall vitality of the community through programs that protect the environment and improve people's lives. Focus areas include environmental stewardship and education. Projects involving native plant pollinator habitat restoration within the Schuylkill watershed could align with environmental stewardship goals.
Brown Girl Jane x SheaMoisture Grant is a grant from SheaMoisture and Brown Girl Jane that funds Black and woman-owned beauty and wellness businesses in the United States. Part of SheaMoisture's broader commitment to addressing racial inequality through its $1 million annual giving fund, this program specifically supports founders at the intersection of Black and women-owned entrepreneurship in the beauty and wellness sector. Applicants must be based in the U.S. and have operated their business for at least one year. Grants range from $10,000 to $25,000. Check the SheaMoisture Fund website for the current open cycle, as deadlines vary by cohort.