The Chicago Headline Club Foundation has announced the recipients of the CHC’s annual internship grants, awarding $5,000 each to Block Club Chicago and the Evanston RoundTable. These grants, aimed at supporting nonprofit news organizations, will help both organizations provide more opportunities for emerging journalists to gain vital experience in the field.
The Chicago Headline Club Foundation has awarded its annual $5,000 internship grants to Block Club Chicago and the Evanston RoundTable, two nonprofit newsrooms committed to local, community-driven reporting. The funding will support paid internship opportunities, helping both organizations train and mentor the next generation of journalists through hands-on newsroom experience.
“We’re grateful to be a grant recipient,” said Tracy Quattrocki, publisher and executive editor of the Evanston RoundTable. “These funds from the Headline Club will enable our investment in the next generation of journalists and help ensure that the future of local reporting in Evanston reflects the full richness and complexity of our community.”
The CHC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Chicago Headline Club—the nation’s largest chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists—awards these annual grants to support journalism students working in the Chicago area. The grants are awarded to nonprofit newsrooms that demonstrate a strong commitment to hands-on, meaningful intern experiences and stipends.
“We’re so grateful for the Chicago Headline Club’s support, which will enable us to bring on more interning reporters this year,” said Kelly Bauer, senior editor of Block Club Chicago. “It’s always exciting to be able to work with young journalists, enthusiastic and full of ideas, as they build their skills and work hard to share news with Chicagoans.”
“The Foundation’s goal is to empower newsrooms that nurture the next generation of journalists,” CHC Foundation President Molly McDonough said. “These grants make a real difference for young reporters, editors and producers, helping them gain experience while reducing the financial barriers that often stand in the way of entering the profession.”
The 2025–2026 grant cycle covers internship expenses from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Applicants represented a diverse array of nonprofit print, broadcast, online and alternative media organizations across the Chicago area.
Selection is always competitive, reflecting the strength and dedication of local media organizations committed to training the next generation of journalists. The Foundation appreciates the donors and supporters who make these annual awards possible.
[Disclosure: Laura Washington, who serves on the boards of Block Club and the CHC Foundation Advisory Board, and chairs the Foundation’s internship grant committee, recused herself from this year’s selection process.]
Applications for the 2025–2026 grants will open in December 2025.
About the Chicago Headline Club Foundation
The Chicago Headline Club Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to enhancing responsible, ethical journalism through education and financial support. It funds professional, student and citizen journalism efforts that strengthen the media’s role in democracy and public accountability. Learn more.