The Western Iowa Journalism Foundation offers grants to community-based news sources in western Iowa to support local news coverage and digital access that educates, informs, and connects residents.

Donor Name: Western Iowa Journalism Foundation
State: Iowa
County: Selected Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: All Time
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
WIJF believes that a robust and independent press is essential for a thriving democracy and is dedicated to supporting community-based news sources that provide professional journalism that informs, engages, and reflects the communities they serve. 
The Western Iowa Journalism Foundation (WIJF) is committed to being transparent, responsive, and collaborative in its grantmaking approach. 
WIJF’s grantmaking guiding principles are: 

Promoting journalistic excellence: WIJF prioritizes projects that demonstrate a commitment to journalistic integrity, accuracy, and ethics. WIJF encourages innovative approaches to storytelling, investigative reporting, and community engagement. 
Elevating underrepresented voices: WIJF values diversity, equity, and inclusion in newsrooms and news coverage. 
Trust-based grantmaking: WIJF’s grant application process is transparent and WIJF’s grant making team is responsive to feedback.
 Ensuring sustainability: WIJF seeks to support projects that demonstrate a commitment to long-term sustainability beyond the grant period. WIJF encourages grantees to explore diversified funding sources and revenue models. 
Collaboration and knowledge sharing: WIJF values collaboration and encourages grantees to share knowledge and best practices with the broader journalism community. WIJF seeks opportunities to foster a network of collaboration among grantees. 

Eligibility Criteria 
WIJF grant funding is available to both non-profit and for-profit organizations, provided they are community-based news sources in western Iowa. 
Grantmaking does not include funding for:

Individuals 
Endowments 
Organizations or projects that unlawfully discriminate with regard to employees, volunteers, delivery of programs or services, or clients served on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran. 
Any organization or project that is inconsistent with WIJF’s mission, vision, values, and strategic framework 
Any funding which does not directly support community journalism that ensures long-term access to accurate local news and investigative reporting throughout western Iowa 
Lobbying as defined by the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), section 4945(d)(1) 
Activities supporting political candidates or voter registration drives, as defined in IRC section 4945(d)(2) 
Mere “pass-through” grants

For more information, visit WIJF.