Foundation Fellows Grants

The PNA Foundation Fellows Fund for the Future has set aside money for journalism grants to be used by news companies to start new initiatives or enhance current projects. Grant funds can be used for hiring correspondents, purchasing equipment and providing staff training as well as other project expenses. Grants may be used to fund part or all of a project but should not be used to offset the cost of day-to-day operations. Since 2019, PNA Foundation has proudly donated more than $54,500 across Pennsylvania to fund podcasts, internships and student fellowships, special freelance coverage, database training, diversity efforts, climate change reporting, technology enhancements and new audience-growth products.

In 1991, the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers’ Association Foundation established a Fellows Fund to advance press freedoms, improve journalism education, promote the public’s “right to know” and further the cause of literacy in Pennsylvania. The Fellows fund supported the overall mission of the foundation while earmarking dollars for specific programs that included student internships and educational excursions. In 2012, we reignited the spirit of giving through an expanded and multitiered Fellows program of support.

For more information on what Fellows monies support and how to become a Fellow, visit our Fellows page.

TO APPLY

1. Complete and sign the 2025 Fellows Grant Application.

2. Provide a summary of the project, not to exceed one page. To help the committee fully understand your project, please state the goals, timeline of the project and its projected cost.

3. Submit your completed application and summary to foundation@pa-news.org by the biannual deadline of April 30 or Oct. 31.

Please note: If you are not selected to receive a grant for your application in the term that you applied, your application will automatically roll over into the next grant term for re-consideration. If denied for the second time in said re-consideration term, the application will become null and void. You may resubmit the same application or revised application after that time.

New to requesting grants? 

Check out these helpful tips. The Fellows Grant selection committee requires goals, timelines and costs with the understanding that preliminary and final reports are required to prove how outcomes matched the goals as well as the effectiveness of the efforts. When submitting preliminary and final reports, grant recipients should answer the following questions in regard to their program or project:

• How have the funds been used?
• How have the goals of the program or project been accomplished?
• Who was served?
• What was the impact?
• Submit any brochures, news articles or products created by the grant. Links to stories, podcasts, videos, testimonials, etc., are encouraged.
• If the grant funds have not been spent and the grant’s purpose is not achieved, explain and provide a timetable for completion.

Questions can be directed to the PNA Foundation at foundation@pa-news.org.

*The Foundation Fellows Grant Committee reserves the right to award no grant, or to award a lesser amount than requested. Incomplete grant applications may be disqualified from consideration or additional information may be requested.

The PNA Foundation Fellows Fund for the Future exists to advance the mission of the Foundation, meeting critical needs and enhancing opportunities for industry professionals and students. Through the annual support of Sustaining Fellows, monies are designated for special programming and projects. The official registration and financial information of the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.