Support journalism today: Give to the Institute's year-end campaign

The National Press Club Journalism Institute is in the midst of its end-of-year fundraising campaign, with a goal of reaching $25,000 to support its press freedom and educational programming efforts. The Institute is a little over one-third of the way toward its goal - and needs your help.

Journalists have been among the unsung frontline workers in 2020, providing essential, sometimes life-saving, information and adding context to the conversations that are guiding our communities. As journalists’ needs evolved in 2020, the Institute supported them in new ways: 

• Tripling our educational programming to 33 programs by moving to an all-digital format on topics including writing and editing, diversity and inclusion, covering the pandemic and elections, and more.  

• Pressed to remove barriers to press freedom and provided direct support for journalists who are unjustly targeted for their work through our dozens of statements of support and amicus briefs, as well as a letter-writing campaign to members of Congress.

• Started a daily, industry-focused newsletter that provides original reporting on real-time best practices, leadership advice and resources. 

• Facilitated a dynamic writing group that has met weekly for the last seven months.  

These initiatives, as well as transitioning the beloved Fourth Estate Awards Gala to a virtual experience, are just a few highlights of the Institute’s efforts to connect Club members and the public to tools, training, and networks that help journalists better serve their communities and democracy. 

As you consider your end-of-year giving options, please note:

• The Journalism Institute has waived all fees for program attendees, saving more than $52,000 for individuals attending Institute training and discussions. Your donation can help us keep programming accessible as we head into 2021. 

• This year’s CARES Act allows for taxpayers who take the standard deduction to also deduct up to $300 in charitable giving. Previously, charitable contributions could only be deducted if taxpayers itemized their deductions.

• As an extra incentive, New Yorker magazine cartoonist Liza Donnelly has offered a signed print of a drawing to donors who give $250 or more to the Institute by the end of the year. Donnelly created this cartoon exclusively for the Institute, to mark the important role journalism has in connecting communities in crisis. 

Any donation you give this year will help the Institute strengthen the connection between journalism and democracy for the public. Every gift makes a difference. You can make your tax-deductible donation here, or email executive director Julie Moos to discuss specific initiatives you’d like to fund.