Empowering the Future of Journalism: Intern grants for media organizations

The Chicago Headline Club Foundation annually awards two grants to fund internships at not-for-profit print, broadcast or online media organizations in the Chicago metro area.

Applications are assessed by a Chicago Headline Club Foundation committee and evaluated on their plans to provide hands-on, impactful experiences for journalism interns.

The Foundation offers two $5,000 grants to cover the direct costs of an internship, including paid stipends for interns, for the period of for the period July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

Please use this form to apply for a grant.

Direct questions to Internship Grant Chair Laura Washington.   

Applications are now open and close by 5 p.m. CT on March 22, 2024. Apply here.

2023 Recipients

The Chicago Headline Club Foundation selected Reader Institute for Community Journalism and Investigative Project on Race and Equity as recipients of the 2023 Intern Grant awards.

As publisher of the Chicago Reader, the Reader Institute for Community Journalism creates and curates civic and cultural coverage by and for Chicago, highlighting underrepresented communities and stories. The Reader is building a model for independent nonprofit media in coverage, collaboration, corporate responsibility, and community partnership.

The Investigative Project on Racial Equity is a journalism start-up with a mission to employ fact-based and data-driven reporting, powerful storytelling and media training to expose Chicago’s racial, economic and social disparities. Their work informs and arms the impacted communities with tools for change.

See more past scholarship and internship grant recipients here.