Scripps Howard Foundation
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| Scripps Howard Foundation | |
|---|---|
| Name | Scripps Howard Foundation |
| Type | Non-profit foundation |
| Founded | 1962 |
| Headquarters | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Focus | Journalism, media literacy, civic engagement |
Scripps Howard Foundation is an American philanthropic organization established to support journalism and newsroom excellence through grants, scholarships, awards, and training. It operates in association with the E. W. Scripps Company media group and engages with universities, foundations, and news organizations to advance reporting, media literacy, and community service. The foundation has influenced journalism education and civic reporting through partnerships with institutions and initiatives nationwide.
History
The foundation was created in 1962 by leaders associated with the E. W. Scripps Company to honor the legacy of publisher Edwin W. Scripps and to expand philanthropic work begun by the Scripps family during the early 20th century. Early collaborations included ties with United Press International alumni and partnerships with journalism schools such as the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, and the University of Missouri School of Journalism. During the 1970s and 1980s it expanded programs connected to the Knight Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and regional newsrooms like the Cincinnati Enquirer and the San Diego Union-Tribune. In the 1990s and 2000s the foundation responded to industry changes driven by the rise of The New York Times, The Washington Post, and digital outlets like ProPublica and Politico by funding training and innovation initiatives. More recent collaborations involved academic centers such as the Poynter Institute, the Aspen Institute, and civic partners including the National Press Foundation.
Mission and Programs
The foundation’s stated mission emphasizes support for professional journalism, student development, and public-service reporting in civic affairs through grants and awards connected to institutions like Ohio State University, Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. Programs have included newsroom training with the Reuters Institute, fellowship placements resembling models from the Pulitzer Prize jury process, and media-literacy workshops akin to those run by the Columbia Journalism Review and Society of Professional Journalists. The foundation also sponsors public forums and partnerships with the Brennan Center for Justice, the Berkman Klein Center, and local public broadcasters including NPR member stations and PBS affiliates to promote civic reporting and community engagement.
Grants and Scholarships
Grantmaking historically supported projects at institutions such as Harvard Kennedy School, Georgetown University, Stanford University, and regional journalism programs at Ohio University and University of Florida. Scholarship programs have benefited students who later joined newsrooms at Bloomberg, CNN, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, Reuters, Associated Press, and nonprofit outlets including Investigative Reporters and Editors and Center for Public Integrity. The foundation’s scholarships mirror competitive awards like the Pulitzer Prize scholarships, the Knight-Bagehot Fellowship model, and collegiate fellowships similar to the Rhodes Scholarship in prestige for journalism applicants.
Awards and Recognition
Among the awards administered are national journalism prizes that recognize investigative reporting, public service journalism, and editorial writing, following traditions established by honors such as the Pulitzer Prize, the Peabody Awards, and the George Polk Awards. Recipients have included reporters from The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and nonprofit outlets like ProPublica and The Marshall Project. The foundation’s awards ceremonies have been attended by leaders from the American Society of News Editors, the Public Relations Society of America, and academic award committees from institutions such as Columbia University and Syracuse University.
Organizational Structure and Funding
The foundation operates as a private foundation affiliated with the E. W. Scripps Company and is governed by a board composed of media executives, educators, and civic leaders drawn from organizations like the Associated Press, the American Journalism Review, and universities including Ohio State University and Northwestern University. Funding sources include endowments, corporate contributions from media holdings like the Cincinnati Enquirer and partner donations modeled after philanthropic support seen from the Carnegie Corporation and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The foundation has also received underwriting for programs from philanthropic entities such as the Ford Foundation and the Lannan Foundation.
Notable Projects and Impact
Notable projects include funded reporting initiatives on local government and civic affairs inspired by models from the Investigative Reporting Workshop and collaborations with state public affairs networks like C-SPAN and local public radio. The foundation supported investigative partnerships that produced work later recognized by the Pulitzer Prize and collaborations with digital newsrooms including Vox Media and The Atlantic-affiliated projects. Educational impacts include endowed fellowships at the Medill School of Journalism, curriculum grants at the Cronkite School, and student training programs with the Poynter Institute and the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas. Through grantmaking and awards the foundation has contributed to strengthening accountability reporting in regional newsrooms such as the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Tampa Bay Times and has fostered talent that advanced to national outlets including NBC News and The Washington Post.