The roots of today grow the leaders of tomorrow….
The Fund for the Future designates monies to be used to advance the mission of the PNA Foundation. Each year, the Foundation Board of Trustees identifies a project or projects to meet a critical need or grow a key function of the Foundation. Since 2012, Fellows funds have…
…initiated a grant program to assist PA newsrooms in starting new initiatives or enhancing current projects.
Since 2019, the PNA Foundation has proudly donated more than $42,000 across Pennsylvania funding podcasts, internships and student fellowships, special freelance coverage, database training, diversity efforts, climate change reporting, technology enhancements and new audience-growing products. In 2022, the Fellows Grant program moved from an annual distribution to a quarterly process, allowing news companies to apply throughout the year to consistently meet their needs.
…awarded grant monies to Spotlight PA in support of the creation of a database of diverse sources for newsrooms across the state. Additional funds were given in 2021 to establish a formal newsroom platform for tracking sources allowing for comparisons and auditing while improving inclusive sourcing practices.
….used a special grant to the Fellows Fund from the Calkins Foundation to design the training series Leading Local: The Media’s Impact on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity focusing on systemic racism and how news media companies can combat it through hiring, news coverage, product design and advertising. Webinars, special programming and resources continue to be produced and shared with PNA members as well as other state press associations.
…supported two Pennsylvania Legislative Correspondents Association interns in 2021, 2022 and 2023 who are spending 12 weeks working at the state Capitol and reporting for Spotlight PA/The Philadelphia Inquirer, PennLive/The Patriot-News, The Morning Call, PA Capital-Star, The Caucus/LNP and Capitolwire.
…created the Capitol Crash Course. Delayed in 2020 due to COVID-19, this program brings six to ten PA college students to the State Capitol in Harrisburg for 2½ days of hands-on learning about state government. Mentored by working journalists, they visit legislators, attend sessions, meet lobbyists and work on a story project. In November 2020 and April, 2022, we held a five-hour virtual version. In 2022, the program was expanded beyond students and advisers to include professional journalists looking to learn more about state government coverage. Since its advent, the program has educated nearly 60 people.
…twice held regional ethics workshops for journalists with nationally-recognized Poynter Institute trainers and coordinated a cutting-edge podcasting workshop.
…presented a daylong workshop focusing on trauma awareness and peer support for reporters featuring leading PTSD authority Dr. Frank Ochberg. Subsequently, supported Trust for Trauma Journalism panelists’ expenses at an AAJA Annual Convention.
…helped to produce the documentary “Strong Newspapers, Strong Communities” showcasing the vitality and strength of news organizations in Pennsylvania.
…purchased video equipment and enhanced PNA conference room facilities.
…twice sponsored a PA college journalist’s involvement in the annual NNA’s News Fellows program where a handful of young journalists visited the nation’s capital for 2½ days to cover an issue of national importance, writing stories on the impact on their local communities.
…held various training events for collegiate news staffs and advisers including a student Hackathon at America East.
