We are accepting letters of interest for funding through Press Forward Mississippi.
Applying for Grants
If you are interested in seeking funding for a project through Press Forward Mississippi, you can submit your idea through a Letter of Interest. This enables our steering committee to see who is interested, offer feedback and connect potential collaborators—before inviting you to submit a formal grant application.
Developing your idea
As you consider your idea, keep in mind that we are working to align:
The information needs of all Mississippi communities, which we are learning about through research and audience listening.
The practical needs of our media producers, especially short-term transformations that can improve long-term sustainability.
The national goals and learnings of the Press Forward movement.
The interests and motivations of potential donors in our state who are not already actively investing in local journalism.
The intersection between journalism and philanthropy is a new and evolving field. We are learning together, and everyone can get involved.
what kinds of ideas can I pitch?
At this early stage, we are focused on efforts that can provide broad or strategic benefits in Mississippi, but we are open to hearing all types of ideas. For example:
An event or reporting project as an add-on to existing coverage.
A collaboration with one or more other media outlets around a reporting topic or a shared resource.
A sustaining need, such as for a reporting position or topical coverage area that provides a public service but does not make sense from a business perspective.
Who is eligible to apply for funding?
Because audiences today receive news and information in many different ways, funding through Press Forward Mississippi is not limited to traditional news outlets (i.e. print or broadcast). Instead, we are looking at markers like:
Foundational journalistic purpose and ethical practice. Applicant organizations should endeavor to abide by the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics for independent, responsible journalism.
Ownership of audience and content. Social-media influencers depend on the functionality and algorithms of platforms like TikTok or Facebook; they are different from news outlets that actually own their content and audience, by operating websites, broadcast channels, print distribution, email lists, etc.
Content that is accessible for everyone. Charitable dollars through Press Forward should focus on content that is (1) delivered on platforms that local people want to use, and (2) available outside of a pay wall.
What happens after I submit a letter of interest?
The Steering Committee for Press Forward Mississippi will review new submissions on a rolling basis, and we will follow up within 45 days of receiving your letter. Follow-up communication could include:
Asking for more information, so that we can fully understand your idea.
Collaborating to help develop your idea, so that it can better align with our grantmaking goals.
If possible, offering other avenues for potential funding for ideas that don’t fit Press Forward Mississippi’s goals.
We will take time to identify potential new donors or matching-grant opportunities before moving forward in the grantmaking process.
I’m new to seeking grant support for journalism. How can I get up-to-speed?
The national Press Forward organization recommends Grant Writing for Journalists, a free, self-directed course from Poynter. It covers how to develop a project or program, prepare a budget, and create an evaluation plan.