Preserving Freedom.
Inspiring Action.
Elevating Local Voices.
The Inland Northwest Journalism Foundation (INJF) champions ethical local journalism as a vital cornerstone of democracy. Through grants, scholarships, and educational opportunities, we empower sustainable editorial initiatives and support journalists within privately owned media companies. By protecting community voices and preserving archives, INJF works to prevent news deserts and ensure impactful storytelling continues to inform, connect, and inspire communities throughout the Inland Northwest.
Inland Northwest Journalism Foundation
Strengthening Local Journalism Across Idaho, Washington, and Montana
Building Community Through Trusted Journalism
Democracy thrives when a fair-minded press informs citizens and illuminates critical issues affecting their lives. The Inland Northwest Journalism Foundation (INJF) empowers local journalism in Idaho, Washington, and Montana by supporting locally owned and operated newspapers, ensuring they can continue to serve their communities with integrity and independence.
The Coeur d'Alene Press, Lewiston Tribune, Bonner County Daily Bee, Columbia Basin Herald, Daily Inter Lake, and Moscow-Pullman Daily News are among the many newspapers whose reporting ensures informed communities. With the support of donors and community partners, these organizations uphold journalistic integrity, spotlighting stories that make a difference and connecting readers with their communities.
Our 501(c)(3) Status
The Inland Northwest Journalism Foundation (INJF) is proud to be recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This designation means we are legally classified as a public charity, dedicated to serving the community through impactful journalism. Contributions to INJF are tax-deductible, allowing donors to support our mission while benefiting from potential tax savings. By donating to INJF, individuals and businesses can directly contribute to sustaining local journalism while also reducing their taxable income.
This nonprofit status ensures that every dollar received is allocated toward supporting investigative reporting, rural coverage, and educational initiatives that benefit the communities of Idaho, Washington, and Montana. Transparency and accountability are core to our operations, guaranteeing that your contributions are used effectively to uphold the integrity and independence of local newsrooms.
Why Local Journalism Matters
Local journalism is the cornerstone of strong communities.
It protects the First Amendment by upholding press freedom.
It prevents the rise of news deserts by ensuring underserved communities are heard.
It holds leaders and institutions accountable through investigative reporting.
It preserves community archives as a living record of history and culture.
Your support helps INJF sustain the journalism that sustains democracy.
In an era where shrinking newsrooms and corporate-owned media dominate the landscape, locally owned publications like those in the Hagadone Media Group and the Alford family’s Lewiston Tribune remain steadfast in their dedication to their readers.
What We Do
Grants for Community Journalism
Supporting local newspapers and media organizations to maintain critical coverage, prevent news deserts, and uphold journalistic integrity.
Workshops and Training Programs
Funding for impactful investigative projects that hold power accountable and address underserved issues.
Scholarships for Aspiring Journalists
Scholarship awards for students pursuing journalism or communications degrees that empower the storytellers of tomorrow.
Public Engagement Programs
Hosting forums, panel discussions, and events that highlight the role of journalism in preserving democracy and community connection.
Fellowships for Investigative Reporting
Funding for impactful investigative projects that hold power accountable and address underserved issues.
The Pillars of Our Foundation
Advocating for Local Journalism
The Inland Northwest Journalism Foundation (INJF) champions the indispensable role of local journalism in fostering informed and connected communities. As the rise of news deserts threatens public knowledge and civic engagement, we stand firm in defending the First Amendment, promoting ethical reporting, and empowering the next generation of storytellers.
By offering grants, scholarships, and strategic partnerships, INJF supports local newsrooms, preserves community archives, and ensures journalism upholds democracy, accountability, and truth across the Inland Northwest.
Sustaining the Heart of Community
At the Inland Northwest Journalism Foundation (INJF), we believe strong communities begin with strong journalism. Facing unprecedented challenges, local news organizations are vital to democracy, civic engagement, and shared stories. INJF works to protect the First Amendment, promote investigative integrity, and inspire tomorrow's journalists.
Through scholarships, fellowships, and grants, we provide resources to sustain community-focused newsrooms, preserve historical archives, and prevent the Inland Northwest from becoming a news desert.
Protecting Truth, Inspiring Action
The Inland Northwest Journalism Foundation (INJF) exists to ensure local journalism thrives as the cornerstone of democracy. With the rise of news deserts and the diminishing role of community watchdogs, we’re committed to protecting press freedoms, sustaining ethical reporting, and cultivating a future where journalism continues to inspire action and hold power accountable.
Our grants, scholarships, and partnerships empower journalists and newsrooms to preserve archives, deliver impactful stories, and maintain trust in an ever-changing media landscape.
Guardians of Local Journalism
The Inland Northwest Journalism Foundation (INJF) is dedicated to safeguarding the future of local journalism. As the lifeblood of civic dialogue and informed communities, journalism faces mounting threats from news deserts and dwindling resources. INJF defends the First Amendment, preserves community archives, and inspires new generations of journalists to ensure the Inland Northwest remains informed and engaged.
Through targeted funding, education, and partnerships, we empower local newsrooms to continue their vital work as watchdogs, storytellers, and keepers of the public trust.
Recognizing Journalism as the Community’s Pulse
The Inland Northwest Journalism Foundation (INJF) recognizes local journalism's critical role in shaping informed communities and fostering democracy. At a time when news deserts risk silencing vital voices, INJF champions ethical reporting, First Amendment protections, and the next wave of media professionals.
Through grants, scholarships, and partnerships, our mission-driven support ensures newsrooms stay resilient, archives remain protected, and the Inland Northwest thrives as a region where truth matters.
Supporting Privately Owned Media Companies
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, INJF is uniquely positioned to provide critical support to privately owned media companies facing increasing financial pressures. Through targeted grants and partnerships, we help offset editorial costs, fund investigative projects, and sustain ethical journalism in communities at risk of becoming news deserts. By empowering these organizations to focus on impactful reporting without compromising financial stability, INJF ensures that local news remains a vital resource for accountability, transparency, and civic engagement.
Member Newsrooms
Montana:
Daily Inter Lake (Kalispell)
Whitefish Pilot (Whitefish)
Hungry Horse News (Columbia Falls)
Lake County Leader (Polson)
Bigfork Eagle (Bigfork)
The Western News (Libby)
Clark Fork Valley Press (Plains)
Mineral Independent (Plains)
Insights Business Journal (Kalispell)
Idaho:
Coeur d'Alene Press (Coeur d'Alene)
Shoshone News-Press (Osburn)
Bonner County Daily Bee (Sandpoint)
Bonners Ferry Herald (Bonners Ferry)
Lewiston Tribune (Lewiston)
Moscow-Pullman Daily News (Moscow/Pullman)
Post Falls Press (Post Falls)
North Idaho Business Journal (Coeur d’Alene)
Build Journal (Coeur d’Alene)
Washington:
Columbia Basin Herald (Moses Lake)
Basin Business Journal (Moses Lake)
I still believe that if your aim is to change the world, journalism is a more immediate short-term weapon.
~Tom Stoddard
Contact Us
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