General Operating Support (for Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press)

General Operating Support (for Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press) is sponsored by Democracy Fund. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Our Commitment to an Independent Free Press - Democracy Fund Partner with us to create a future where everyone can thrive. At a time when news organizations find themselves under attack, the Democracy Fund along with our partners at First Look Media are announcing today the largest grants either organization has made to date in support of journalism.

But the political attacks that journalists have faced over the past 18 months represent something wholly new and potentially toxic to a free and open society. At the Democracy Fund, we believe that a robust free press is essential. We must not take it for granted.

In times like these, we all must do our part to stand with journalists and fight for core democratic values and norms. The Democracy Fund and First Look Media are also announcing grants to the Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University and a new program led by NYU Professor Jay Rosen to establish a laboratory for community-supported investigative reporting.

An additional $800,000 grant to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press from the Democracy Fund will help to protect the independence and freedom of journalists to ask hard questions and conduct courageous investigations. These grants represent a significant financial commitment in support of excellent journalism, but they do not represent the end of our support.

In the weeks and months to come, we hope to work with partners from all sectors to find other ways to do our part to ensure that journalists can play their rightful role in our democracy. Details about the grants we announced today may be found below. (You can also learn about additional grants announced by First Look Media – home of The Intercept – here ).

Stay tuned for further announcements as our team at the Democracy Fund continues to find ways to support the important work of ensuring that the American public come first in our democracy.

Democracy Fund and First Look Media Joint Grants Include: The Center for Investigative Reporting , $3 million over two years – This grant provides general operating support to CIR as they pioneer new models of investigative reporting rooted in collaboration, community engagement, and creativity.

The Center for Public Integrity , $3 million over two years – This grant provides general operating support to CPI to expand its watchdog reporting and strengthen its ability to hold institutions accountable to the American people.

ProPublica , $3 million over two years – This grant provides general operating support to ProPublica, whose groundbreaking work combines hard-hitting investigations and cutting edge data journalism in service to communities.

Additional Democracy Fund Grants Include: Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press , $800,000 over two years – This grant provides general operating support to the Reporters Committee to enhance its ability to provide legal resources and guidance for independent journalists and nonprofit news outlets, in addition to continuing its work with longtime partners in broadcast, print, and online news media.

State and Local Investigative Fund , $1 million initial investment – With this funding, Democracy Fund seeks to establish a new fund for state and local investigative journalism and invite other funders and donors to contribute and collaborate. The goal of the fund is to serve as a beacon for those who want to support local and state news, investigative beats, and nonprofit news.

Knight Prototype Fund on Misinformation , $200,000 over one year – Democracy Fund also contributed $200,000 to the Knight Prototype Fund’s $1 million open call for ideas on misinformation and trust in journalism, a partnership with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Rita Allen Foundation; the open call is accepting applications until April 3.