McCORMICK TRIBUNE FOUNDATION BOARD APPROVES ALMOST $2 MILLION IN LOCAL, NATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISM GRANTS
Media contact:
Kyle Bradbury
312-222-3188
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CHICAGO, June 14, 2005
The McCormick Tribune Foundation board announced approval of more than $1.8 million in journalism grants for 2005 to local, national and international organizations.
“Our journalism program continues to make impactful strides in addressing major news industry issues such as diversity and readership, and in promoting free press in the Americas,” said Richard A. Behrenhausen, president of the McCormick Tribune Foundation.
The foundation awarded more than $1.2 million in journalism grants to entities of Northwestern University:
- $750,000 to Media Management Center (MMC) for programs to combat declining newspaper readership;
- $373,000 to MMC for administration of the McCormick Tribune Fellows Brain Trust, a program that taps the insights and recommendations of executives of color in the news business;
- $128,000 to the Medill School of Journalism for courses to deepen the expertise of the news media in covering national security issues.
In addition to the MMC grant for the fellows program, the foundation approved a total of $510,000 in grants to promote diversity of content and staffing in the nation’s news media, including $138,000 to the Community Renewal Society (for the Chicago Reporter); $150,000 to the Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education; and $222,000 to the National Association of Minority Media Executives Foundation for the McCormick Tribune Fellows program.
The foundation also approved $125,000 to the World Press Freedom Committee for efforts to promote freedom of the press around the world.
The journalism program is committed to enhancing the quality of the news media in five priority areas: leadership, the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, freedom of expression, diversity and U.S. military-media relations.
About the McCormick Tribune Foundation
The McCormick Tribune Foundation is one of the nation’s largest charitable organizations, with combined assets of close to $1.5 billion. In 2004 the foundation approved the distribution of more than $109 million to invest in communities, address human needs and promote the ideals of a democratic society through innovative partnerships. The foundation, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2005, was first established as a charitable trust upon the death of Col. Robert R. McCormick, longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune.
The foundation provides assistance in four program areas — communities, education, journalism and citizenship — and funds a special initiatives program. Through its grants, the foundation seeks to improve the social and economic environment; encourage a free and responsible discussion of issues affecting the nation; enhance the effectiveness of American education; and stimulate responsible citizenship. For more information, visit
http://www.mccormicktribune.org/
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