It Takes a Journalist
Supporting a Global Network in Times of Crisis
Strengthening journalism, and supporting journalists, everywhere.
Download the CaseStrengthening journalism, and supporting journalists, everywhere.
Download the CaseICFJ empowers an unparalleled global network of media professionals – serving 132,000 journalists from 173 countries in the last five years alone. We are dedicated to advancing high-quality journalism that addresses pressing global issues, informs citizens, and improves lives.
ICFJ helps journalists combat disinformation, innovate editorially, and create sustainable business models for independent news outlets as we face a world beset by overlapping crises. Your support is truly meaningful as we quickly deploy funds to assist journalists who are putting their lives on the line to bring us the news.
Our campaign is providing direct support, training, and resources to journalists.
Many newsrooms lack the time to develop innovative solutions to the challenges facing journalism — from rising disinformation to skeptical audiences to threats from authoritarian leaders. As part of this campaign ICFJ has piloted Leap – ICFJ’s News Innovation Lab, a space for journalists and technologists to explore, design and develop solutions that address specific problems. In 2022, we completed our first Solution Challenge on Building Trust in News, a 10-week sprint-based program to create and tool or process to engage more deeply with communities and build audience trust. Leap will also support individual innovators to work on projects and tools that can help journalism best serve the public.
Learn MoreNews outlets, especially those serving local communities and operating in fragile democracies, are facing unprecedented challenges and daunting odds. That’s why we are making a special effort to help journalists build new ventures and achieve financial sustainability. Early investments in our It Takes a Journalist campaign have led to the launch of Elevate, ICFJ’s new business hub that is providing independent small and mid-size news outlets with the training and resources they need to become financially viable so that they can provide accurate news to their communities well into the future.
Learn More“I think it’s very clear that world events have put us right in the center of what we’ve professed to be able to do – provide urgent support to journalists. And ICFJ is absolutely doing that with this campaign.”
– Rodman Moorhead, It Takes a Journalist Campaign Vice Chair
Dee Dee Reilly was among ICFJ’s most steadfast supporters for more than two decades and made journalism – and promoting truth – a priority in her philanthropy. To continue her legacy, Dee Dee’s children Anna, Sean, Kevin and Wendell Reilly have made a generous donation in her memory.
“ICFJ has done a lot of important work over the years, but now, with democracies around the world under the growing threat of disinformation, the work of ICFJ is more important than ever – and that’s why my siblings and I have decided to increase our support and make a meaningful commitment to It Takes a Journalist campaign.” Wendell Reilly, ICFJ Director and It Takes a Journalist Campaign Committee Member.
Pictured at left: Dee Dee Reilly, philanthropist and journalism advocate.
With your backing, we can help reliable, independent news media survive and thrive.
We invite you to join us in securing a strong future for journalism