AAN Foundation

AAN believes that staff diversity is good business, good citizenship, and an invaluable element of good community journalism. But as an industry, the alternative press has found it difficult to attract and retain minority writers and editors.

The Alternative Newsweekly Foundation was created in 2003 to support diversity by promoting the recruitment, training, and hiring of minorities at alternative newsweeklies. The Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which provides a means for AAN members and others to make tax-deductible charitable contributions that help fund diversity-related programs such as the Diversity Internship Grants and the former Academy for Alternative Journalism.

Donate to the AAN Foundation

Diversity Grant Program

The AAN Diversity Grant Program supports member papers’ efforts to add diversity to their newsrooms and to encourage minority journalists to start their careers at alternative newsweeklies. AAN member papers may apply for a grant to hire an intern, or to develop an editorial project that demonstrably serves people of color living in the paper’s city.

The AAN Diversity Grant Program awards up to four grants of $1,250 each per year. AAN member papers may submit an application at any time. There are no deadlines or application cycles.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION

If you need more information, please call (202) 289-8484, or send an e-mail to Debra Silvestrin.

Read AAN articles about past grant recipients:

Academy for Alternative Journalism

The Academy for Alternative Journalism, a residential summer program designed to train and recruit minority journalists to work at AAN papers, was launched in 2000 by the Chicago Reader and ran through 2009.

The following archive of AAN News articles provides an historical overview of the Academy since its inception:

rssAAN News

Announcing the 2013 AAN Awards Finalists

The 2013 AAN Awards finalists represent the most outstanding works of journalism to appear in alternative publications across the U.S. and Canada. The winners will be announced during a reception on July 13 at the AAN Annual Convention in Miami. (FULL STORY)
2013 AAN Awards  |  Association News

Cuba Tours and Travel Offers 5-Day Trip for AAN Members

Cuba Tours and Travel is offering a five-day professional research trip to Cuba which concludes in Miami in time for members to attend the AAN convention in July. (FULL STORY)
AAN  |  Conference News

Gambit Helps Raise Funds for Victims of Mother's Day Shootingnew

Nineteen people were wounded in the shooting on May 12, including Gambit contributor Deborah Cotton. A benefit concert featuring local bands will be held on Thursday, May 23.
Gambit  |  Industry News
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