Positions, projects, and programs: How the Joyce Foundation is investing in the future of local news

The Joyce Foundation is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2024 Independent News Sustainability Summit. LION is profiling all Summit sponsors with a Q&A to help members learn more about their work.

Hayley Milloy, LION Publishers: What is your 30-second elevator pitch (or 75-word pitch) to a LION member on what the Joyce Foundation does?

Hugh Dellios, Joyce Foundation: Based in Chicago, the Joyce Foundation is a 76-year-old philanthropy that invests in non-partisan, long-game policy solutions to promote racial equity and economic mobility for the next generation in the Great Lakes region. We define that region as Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Our investments are focused on six areas: Culture, Democracy, Education & Economic Mobility, the Environment (Great Lakes protection and climate solutions), Gun Violence Prevention & Justice Reform, and Journalism.

Hayley: And what do you do at the Joyce Foundation? Why did you join the team?

Hugh: I lead the Foundation’s Journalism program, managing our grantmaking and other support for independent, nonpartisan public-affairs reporting. I was a journalist for many years, including at the Chicago Tribune, Associated Press, NPR, and Crain’s Chicago Business. I joined the Foundation as an editor in 2020, then assumed responsibility for the Journalism grants and built our first formal portfolio and program.

Hayley: Your Journalism program aims to support media covering issues related to specific Joyce program areas. What are you looking for when evaluating funding requests, i.e., what makes a strong, standout application? How does your application process work, and do all coverage areas have the same criteria? 

Hugh: We primarily invest in reporting positions and projects but also issue-focused training programs for reporters. The most successful projects demonstrate that they will reach influential audiences in innovative, sustainable ways, including policymakers, and that they will inform smart, long-term policymaking. We also invest in opportunities for early-career journalists, strengthening the nonprofit news sector and reinforcing local news. We accept submissions throughout the year through our grants portal, beginning with registration and a Letter of Inquiry (LOI).

Hayley: Your program also boosts public affairs journalism training for early career journalists, particularly journalists of color. What does this look like in practice?  

Hugh: We support programs that assure a healthy pipeline of young journalists entering and remaining in the field, with the aim of assuring that journalism and newsrooms reflect the full diversity of our communities. We have supported fellowships, training programs, and other projects focused on nurturing aspiring journalists.

Hayley: What’s one question you think the independent news industry — our members, vendors, support organizations like us, and funders like you — should be asking about the future of doing this work?  

Hugh: At a time when we’re awash in media, uncertainty about facts, and disinformation, how do we resuscitate our society’s appreciation for the value of independent, fact-based reporting that informs public decision-making and holds our leaders accountable? To that end, how do we build a better journalism that is more trusted, inclusive, responsive, responsible, and transparent?

Hayley: Are there any upcoming or future initiatives that the Joyce Foundation is working on that you want to preview for us?  

Hugh: More recently, Joyce has begun investing in the future of local news, partly through the Press Forward national initiative. One aspect of our strategy is identifying and supporting “trusted messengers” who have earned the trust, respect, and loyalty of their communities through journalism that is for them rather than just about them. 

Hayley: What’s the best way for LION members and others to take advantage of the Joyce Foundation’s offerings and support?  

Hugh: My colleague, Program Officer Bree Perry, and I are open to queries and anxious to learn about new ideas and projects that align with our investment strategies. We are reachable through our general email address at [email protected].