Please help IRE obtain a Challenge Fund for Journalism Grant

UPDATE: With the support of dedicated IRE members and others who believe in the importance of investigative journalism, we passed our $75,000 goal. Sincere thanks!

IRE gives journalists the skills and tools that enable them to fulfill their watchdog role, and your contribution will assist in continuing these efforts.

IRE is a dynamic force in journalism, training thousands of journalists each year and providing resources and encouragement for investigative work of the highest caliber.

Year after year, we help print, broadcast and online journalists throughout the world become better watchdogs for society. And year after year, IRE helps journalists keep government, businesses and individuals accountable for their actions.

The $50,000 grant will help IRE improve our Web site, with a focus on developing online training initiatives, and modernize our database systems to better deliver resources and services to our members.

What is IRE’s challenge in particular?

IRE must raise $75,000 in donations from individual donors by August 7, 2009, to obtain a $50,000 Challenge Fund for Journalism grant.

How can you help?

If you are a current donor, please consider giving $50 to $100 more than you’ve given in any of the past three years. The amount of the increase will count toward the challenge.

If it’s been three years or more since you last donated to IRE, please consider making a donation today. The full amount of your donation will count toward the challenge. Not sure when you donated last? Contact IRE development officer Jennifer Erickson to check the date of your most recent donation: 573-884-2222 or jennifer@ire.org.

If you know of someone who understands the importance of investigative and watchdog journalism, please ask him/her to consider a donation to IRE.

What donations qualify for the program?

If you’ve never given to IRE – or haven’t made a donation in the past three years – anything you give will count toward our goal.

If you are a recent donor, we can still count anything you give if it’s more than you’ve given in any of the past three years.

While the focus of the program is on individual donors, your contribution will qualify if you give through your family foundation or business. In addition, if your employer has a matching-gifts program, the corporate match will also count toward the challenge.

Donations may be directed toward the IRE Endowment Fund, general operations and/or targeted programming. Click here to donate.

What is the Challenge Fund for Journalism?

The Challenge Fund for Journalism (CFJ) is a joint initiative of four foundations: The Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Knight Foundation and the McCormick Foundation.

The purpose of CFJ is to increase and diversify the revenues of journalism organizations, primarily through the generation of individual donations from journalists and others who care about journalism. The challenge grants are complemented by a host of networking opportunities, organizational development and fund-raising trainings, and customized coaching.

The Challenge Fund for Journalism V launched in August 2008. Fifteen journalism organizations, including IRE, were awarded a total of $565,000 in challenge grants as part of the program; the organizations represent a broad range of sectors and interests.

Why is this good for investigative journalism and IRE?

Communities throughout the country benefit from journalists who can dig deeper into important issues, and IRE gives them the tools to do so. We hope that individuals who understand the importance of watchdog and investigative journalism will support IRE and help us make our match.

How can I make a donation to support the challenge?

Please visit www.ire.org/donate/contribution to make your tax-deductible gift today to help IRE continue our critical work. Or you may send a check payable to "IRE" to: IRE, Missouri School of Journalism, 141 Neff Annex, Columbia, MO 65211. Please write “donation” in the memo field.

To learn more about the program, contact Jennifer Erickson at 573-884-2222 or jennifer@ire.org.