Director's Notes: APPLY BY MAY 8

Clark Bell, Program Director

With the May 8 deadline for Letters of Inquiry fast approaching, I would like to review the Journalism Program’s current strategy and present a few ideas under consideration for 2014.

As you may recall, the McCormick Foundation’s Journalism Program has been transformed around the belief that news consumers---students, teachers, people like you and me---need help in coping with information overload.

Our $5.5 million in annual grantmaking is built around an Audience-Rights-Content framework.  It is designed to build a more informed, news literate and engaged citizenry. Our goal is to increase the level of civic engagement by strengthening the quality of journalistic content, helping audiences become smart new consumers and promoting an open and free environment in which journalism can flourish.

As a result, we shifted much of our portfolio to a “demand-side” approach to grantmaking and away from a “supply-side” strategy. We still support mid-career training for news media professionals, investigative reporting, community news, youth media, press freedoms and other areas that bolster the field of journalism in a time of transition.  Rather than shape grantmaking around the life cycle of a journalist, we now emphasize news literacy and its critical role as a catalyst for informing and engaging citizens.

The anchor to this work is the three-year, $6 million WHY NEWS MATTERS (WNM) initiative, which began in January with a major round of grant awards. The WNM cohort now includes 25 organizations doing news literacy work in Chicago.  

OUR TIMELINE

As we begin preparing for 2014, we look forward to reviewing your proposals for grants of $50,000 or more.  The deadline for letters of inquiry is MAY 8 (proposals of less than $50,000 can be submitted at any time throughout the year). 

We recognize the competitive nature of seeking grants to fund journalism projects.  Last year, we received 311 written requests seeking $26.8 million in funding.  Scores of other interesting ideas were nixed before formal submission because they were not suited to our strategy and portfolio. This is a highly selective process.  In the end, we judge proposals on fit, feasibility, need and ability to assess impact within the McCormick framework.

LOOKING FOR FRESH IDEAS

Grant officers Mark Hallett, Jennifer Choi and I have discussed a number of ideas that could fill gaps in the portfolio. For example, in the Content sector, we see a need for training Chicago area journalists on timely topics, interpreting data and multi-media storytelling.  A research project could assess the reach of existing news in Chicago communities and better define the critical issues facing low-income news consumers.

We believe that the quality of journalism produced by Chicago youth media groups has improved dramatically, in part because of the nearly $6 million McCormick has invested in the sector since 2006.  With that in mind, we will begin evaluating youth media programs on the strength of the journalistic content produced.  In addition, we will continue to expect that the youth media organizations build in principles of news literacy throughout the training.

For information, visit our guidelines.

WHY NEWS MATTERS EVOLVES

The WNM initiative will become the domain of more focused news literacy programs that energize the community around quality news and relevant information.  We will consider a broad range of dynamic projects to engage young people with news. 

We seek to support activities that help teachers bring news literacy activities into their classrooms. We hope to work with networks of schools willing to establish comprehensive news literacy approaches.  We are looking to document the impact of news literacy training on critical thinking skills.  That could lead the way for support of policy efforts that specifically recognize news literacy as part of the common core curriculum.  We also will give a hard look to news literacy projects that help students cope with “other” literacies such as health, personal finance, digital and civics.  

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Col. Robert R. McCormick’s unwavering support of press freedoms is a cornerstone of the Journalism Program.  We will continue to parlay this tradition of funding legal protection for journalists with support for projects that address government transparency, accessibility, accountability and civic education.

The McCormick Foundation has evolved into more of a place-based grantmaking organization. The Journalism Program has joined forces with our colleagues in the Civics, Education and Veterans programs to tackle some of the most difficult issues facing the Chicago area.  We will consider journalistic-based proposals that deal with such topics as fiscal policy, regional planning, reducing youth violence and sustaining the nonprofit sector. 

 McCormick President and CEO David Hiller recently said: “We find enormous optimism---at a time when our region faces daunting challenges---in the extraordinary work of engaged citizens and civic organizations. Concerned citizens are waging a multi-front battle for the future of our city and state. From gun violence to bankrupt fiscal policy, now is the time to stand up and be engaged.”

News literacy and journalistic content will certainly play major roles in this effort to reinforce civic health.  We look forward to reviewing your ideas.  To begin the application process, click here.

Journalism Program Director

McCormick Foundation

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Why News Matters: Update

We asked. You responded.
It turns out news does matter.


Six weeks ago, we invited you to submit ideas for our proposed 3-year, $6 million WHY NEWS MATTERS grantmaking initiative. By the April 2 deadline we had fielded 151 applications.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their creative ideas. The Journalism Program staff is in the midst of evaluating the applications. More than 90 percent of them focus on news literacy awareness, education or training.

The first round of judging will be completed by April 15.

—Clark Bell, Journalism Program Director

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Why News Matters: Sailing

Ever since we started to move our attention toward the audience and issues of information credibility, we’ve been astounded at how momentum is growing for what we and others are calling News Literacy.

Examples of news literacy ‘teaching moments’ seem to be coming at us in a flurry. From the Kony 2012 video to the Mike Daisey “This American Life” piece and retraction, as well as the purportedly leaked documents from the Heartland Institute, compelling examples abound. Each new instance raises – in very different ways – issues of credibility, bias, the difference between spin and high-quality reporting – and how to distinguish between the two.

But there’s more: We’re seeing and hearing testimony from a lot of people that they are as concerned as we are, and want to play a role in moving things in the right direction. At this point, in this nascent field, we’ve got more questions than answers: What are the most compelling ways for credible news and information to come alive for young people?  Can the isolation of growing old in a big city be mitigated through the potential of digital information literacy to connect people? Can the young produce reporting that speaks beyond their peers and has meaning for all of us? How can news organizations use their platform to engage readers in dialogue and educate them about the mysteries of reporting? And as Richard Rodriguez explored in his Harper’s magazine essay two years ago: Who plays the role of helping to shape the identity of today’s cities? And is there a role for those engaged in workforce development, adult literacy, technology, the arts and other areas?

Here are just a few examples of ways that we see news literacy as being tremendously relevant:

·      Knowledge is Power: The website from ClearHealthCosts includes an interactive map based on Medicare data for actual pay for hospital stays. Helps people see the different costs of the same procedure in the same city. Simple and revolutionary.

·      Open-Door Policy: University publications like Madison Commons in Wisconsin are doing a compelling job of explaining their role and inviting readers to become engaged. The header on their homepage says it all: Who we are, What we do, What you can do, Talk, Tag cloud and Multimedia. Applause.

·      YLCM: In a conversation with New America Media’s Jacob Simas and Raj Jayadev, we noticed they’ve dropped the term youth media and now talk about ‘youth-led community media.’ Young people aged 14 and into their twenties are playing a role in reporting on community issues. We see this same commitment to quality in other places: Witness Free Spirit Media’s 10-minute documentary on food deserts in North Lawndale.

·      The Event: When young people learn to report, their journalism becomes a springboard for deeper civic engagement. A great example is the “What’s hitting teens harder than adults?” townhall organized by Columbia LINKS, where high school reporters launched a special edition R-Wurd magazine at an event featuring experts and elected officials. See the issue here. It includes a cover story “Not Hiring: The plight of jobless teens,” as well as a piece on hoodies as fashion. How timely.

·      Creative Story Telling: Young journalists in particular are experimenting with creative ways to connect with audiences. An example is the DC-based Pulitzer Center, which sent a photojournalist and a poet to cover Haiti post-earthquake. Erin Polgreen sent us this link to coverage of refugees in Damascus, in cartoon format.

·      An Editor’s Tough Love: Julia Lieblich, author of “Wounded I Am More Awake,” which tells the story of a doctor who survived six Bosnian concentration camps, just penned an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times. In it she lays out how after three years of interviews for her book, her editor told her to go and confirm the facts. So she went, as she says, to ‘fact-check horror.’ She lays out how this ultimately led to richer work.

·      The Impact of Games: And back to kids. Students at the Reavis School on Chicago’s South Side – in a News Literacy Project program – produced an audio report on the impact of video games on their lives. It’s simply great work. The story is here.

So many challenges and so many questions. But at least it seems there’s momentum on our side. Nice to have a little wind in your sails.

--Mark Hallett, senior program officer

     

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April 2 Deadline: Last Call for Why News Matters Applications

The Why News Matters application deadline of April 2 is fast approaching. If the three informational sessions we held are any indication, there will be scores of excellent ideas. More than 100 organizations participated in the informational sessions, while others connected with us later online.

If you’ve missed the informational sessions, we’ve posted our March 9 Why News Matters overview webinar for online viewing. Very soon, we’ll add recordings of our two news literacy guest presenters, Dean Miller of the Center for News Literacy at Stony Brook University, and Geanne Rosenberg of Baruch College.  In the meantime, feel free to browse the presentation slides from our March 27 informational session below:
Download Geanne Rosenberg's presentation
Download the Why News Matters overview presentation 

And we have taken Why News Matters on the road.  Since developing the concept in January, the Journalism Program staff has been talking with universities, news organizations, libraries, community groups, jobs training programs, educators, civic organizations, arts groups, media literacy organizations, digital folks, entrepreneurs and independent journalists. We’ve truly enjoyed these conversations and your thoughtful ideas and questions about shaping a long-term strategy and approach to news literacy in Chicago.

To help you prepare your application, we’ve compiled a few additional frequently asked questions from our recent informational sessions:

Many of you have asked us to elaborate on our evaluation process and requirements. We’re pleased to share our evaluation logic model to give you a better sense of our program goals and framework and how your ideas might align. We plan to develop more detailed evaluation metrics from our work with Why News Matters grantees.

How can news literacy be incorporated into an area like work-force training? 
News literacy is intertwined with media, digital and other literacies. We feel there are synergies with these disciplines in citizenship, workforce development and workforce reentry programs. McCormick, for example, funds digital navigators at the Chicago Public Libraries. Much of this traffic comes from older people looking for jobs. Another example: Financial literacy teachers better connect with students by illustrating curriculum with relevant current economic events. We want to know your ideas on how news literacy skills align with other learning skills.

You say you want to engage the community. What’s your take on the role of journalism in advocacy and community organizing? 
We are exploring this question now more than ever in the past. That said, we are firm believers in pure journalism skills.  We’re certainly looking at  different ways that people learn and engage, but the focus has to be on informing and stimulating citizen action through a news literacy lens.

Do I have to create a separate user name and log-in for every application I submit? 
You may submit multiple applications using the same username and password. Each application you submit will be assigned a unique identification number to help you keep track of your applications. See below:

At any time, you can access and work on your application(s) by logging into your grant application account by logging-in from https://www.GrantRequest.com/SID_1449. You can toggle between Submitted Applications and In Progress Applications by clicking on the “Show” drop down menu on the top right hand corner.

Remember: To apply, fill out this brief application form on our online application system. Note: If you are a new user to our online application system, you'll need to enter your e-mail address and create a password. If you already are registered with us, you can use your existing McCormick Grant Request log-in and password. (Current grantees: This is the same log-in and password you used to complete your year-end grant reports).


Please submit your applications by the end of business day April 2.

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Missed the Why News Matters Webinar? Watch the Replay!

Last Friday, the Journalism Program hosted a webinar about the Why News Matters initiative and answered questions from applicants and interested parties.

A few of you asked about where to find additional research about news literacy. We've compiled a list of current research projects and programs, and will be adding more to the list in the upcoming weeks.

Check out the replay of the webinar below:

We will be hosting one more informational sessions this month about Why News Matters, where you can learn more about news literacy from experts and have a chance to ask the Journalism Program staff any questions you may have. The event is in-person meetings, which will take place at the McCormick Foundation's offices on March 27 at 3 p.m. CT. We still have a few spots remaining, so please register ASAP.

We look forward to continuing the brainstorming and conversations with you.

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Non-Profit News Sustainability and "Why News Matters"

Fast and furious action on the nonprofit news tax-exempt status/financial sustainability front. For your consideration:

• The Council on Foundations is forming a Nonprofit Media Working Group that by the end of the year will recommend what tax changes or clarifications could better enable such news organizations to meet the information needs of communities. The working group, spearheaded by Eric Newton of the Knight Foundation and chaired by Steve Waldman of the Columbia Journalism School, will set its course during a March 1 teleconference.  I am honored to serve as a member of the group.
• I also participated in a recent Patterson Foundation-hosted conference in Sarasota, Fla., on financial sustainability for nonprofit journalism start-ups.  Patterson’s Janet Coats and Kevin Davis, executive director of the Investigative News Network, led the discussion among foundation leaders, nonprofit news publishers and media consultants. Coats’ report on the proceedings hits the high notes.
• Obituaries on the dearly departed Chicago News Cooperative (CNC) cited the lack of fundraising traction and the inability to snare IRS tax-exempt status. It’s probably best to allow what the Chicago Tribune hailed as “a bold experiment at supplementing or supplanting daily newspapers” to rest in peace. Good people...good idea…partnership with the New York Times…but things just didn’t work out. Others will continue to fight on in hopes of gathering foundation grants, affluent local family charitable funds, content partners, dues-paying members and paid subscribers. And you may want to check out the Columbia Journalism Review's update on the CNC.
• The McCormick Foundation, a long-time supporter of nonprofit journalism news organizations, will be part of the solution. We continue to fund groups such as The Chicago Reporter, INN, the Center for Public Integrity and university-based news initiatives at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois. And we’ll see what role the tax-exempt journalism model plays in our Why News Matters grantmaking initiative.

By our reckoning, nearly 1,000 interested parties have locked into McCormick Media Matters, watched the Why News Matters video or checked out the Request for Ideas. The deadline for submitting ideas is April 2, 2012.  Here are some pertinent links:

• Find out more about the Why News Matters initiative and request for ideas at http://www.whynewsmatters.org/.
• Download the complete “printer friendly” version of the Why News Matters Request for Ideas and application packet. 
• Check out the Frequently Asked Questions. 
• Share the Why News Matters video with colleagues and friends. 
• Review a list of news literacy resources. 
• Sign-up for an upcoming webinar or in-person information session on March 9, 16 and 27, at 3pm CT. 

Please help us spread the word via social media.

• Have a project idea for news literacy? Apply for a @McCormickJrnlsm Why News Matters grant fb.me/GfB7j9ls
• $6 million in news literacy grants available. Apply now for @McCormickJrnlsm Why News Matters grant fb.me/GfB7j9ls

--Clark Bell, Journalism Program Director

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Announcing Why News Matters, A New Grantmaking Initiative

Today is the formal launch of our Why News Matters initiative. We are excited and curious about response to this new request for ideas (RFI), designed to enhance news literacy in Chicago. We expect to invest about $6 million over the next three years in Why News Matters grants. 

The initiative will build on the strong student and teacher training programs at the core of McCormick Foundation's news literacy funding since 2009. We now intend to expand news literacy training in more ways and engage broader audiences throughout the Chicago area.

News literacy is the ability to use critical thinking skills to judge the reliability and credibility of news reports and information sources. It enables citizens to become smarter consumers and creators of fact-based information. It helps them develop informed perspectives and the navigational skills to become effective citizens in a digitally connected society. News literacy programs also emphasize the importance of news and information, the value of reliable sources and appreciation of First Amendment freedoms.

The goal of this RFI is to significantly expand news literacy efforts throughout Chicago. We will solicit ideas and later fund a portfolio of high-impact projects.

Details about the RFI can be found on the Journalism Program section of the McCormick Foundation web site and on the Why News Matters section of the McCormick Media Matters blog.

Apply online through our online grant application system. Note: If you are a new user of the system, you'll need to enter your e-mail address and create a password. If  you already are registered with us, you can use your existing McCormick Grant Request log in and password. (Current grantees: This is the same log in and password you used to complete your year-end grant reports). 

We also have included a list of 20 Frequently Asked Questions about the RFI. In addition, we will conduct one webinar and two in-person informational sessions for those interested in learning more about this new initiative. You must register to attend these informational sessions.

Depending on the yield of the RFI harvest (remember the April 2 deadline), we expect to invest about $2 million in 2013 in Why News Matters projects. In addition, we anticipate investing another $4 million in the following two years.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Clark Bell
Journalism Program Director

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Why News Matters: Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions 

1. Why is your application called a Request for Ideas (RFI), rather than a Request for Proposals?
At this time, we are asking for ideas rather than letters of inquiry or full proposals. To apply, you must fill out a brief application form on our application online system, providing a brief summary of your idea as well as information on your organization.

2. What is news literacy? 
News literacy is the ability to use critical thinking skills to judge the reliability and credibility of news reports and information sources. It enables citizens to become smarter consumers and creators of fact-based information. It helps them develop informed perspectives and the navigational skills to become effective citizens in a digitally connected society. News literacy programs also emphasize the importance of news and information, the value of reliable sources and appreciation of First Amendment freedoms.
News literacy can overlap with other instructional theories, including Digital Literacy, Information Literacy and Media Literacy. Each occupies and promotes different skills sets at the intersection of digital media and critical thinking. All have a role to play in news literacy.

3. How exactly is news literacy similar to—and different from—the other literacies (digital, information, media, etc.)? 
News literacy is the new kid on the block, but has a great deal of overlap with fields such as Civic Literacy, Digital Literacy, Information Literacy and Media Literacy, among others. Here are basic definitions and links to begin exploring:

Civic Literacy focuses on people’s participation in civic life, emphasizing their knowing how to stay informed, being aware of and exercising their rights, and understanding the implications of civic decisions. Resource:  Partnership for 21st Century Skills.

Digital Literacy refers to people’s ability to locate and effectively analyze information using digital technology. Resource: Digital Literacy report by Common Sense Media.

Information Literacy focuses on people’s ability to locate, evaluate and effectively use information. Resource: American Library Association. 

Media Literacy is the ability access, analyze and create media as well as a framework for understanding the role of media in society. Resource: Media Literacy website for the California-based Center for Media Literacy.

4. How does the Why News Matters initiative fit into the Content, Audience and Rights framework?  
Why News Matters will not replace the Journalism Program’s current grantmaking framework of Content, Audience and Rights. Rather, it is intended to better focus the current framework and make it more effective in addressing News literacy needs in Chicago. Review our Grantmaking Guidelines to better understand the CAR grantmaking framework Most Why News Matters projects will fall under the Audience category of funding, while a few may fit within the Content and Rights categories.

5. Do I have to be a Chicago-based organization to apply?
No. While Chicago is the focus for the Why News Matters initiative, we will consider non-Chicago applicants that can make a strong case for how their proposed idea can impact a Chicago audience. This could mean partnering with a Chicago organization as part of your proposed work.

6. Do I have to be a non-profit to apply? 
No. Ideas can be submitted by 501c3 nonprofit organizations, as well as individuals and businesses partnering with tax-exempt organizations. If you are invited to submit a final proposal, you must select a fiscal agent that is a 501c3.

7. Our organization doesn’t have a background in journalism or news, but we really want to get into news literacy. Can I still apply? 
Yes. We encourage organizations (arts, theater, game design) to apply. We anticipate viable applications from organizations that demonstrate strong working partnerships with organizations that have expertise in journalism training and news literacy.

8. Can we re-apply with the same idea through the May 1 letter of inquiry process if our application is not selected for a Why News Matters grant?
Applying for the Why News Matters does not preclude you from being able to submit a separate grant request on May 1, but please do not submit the same idea twice.

9. What are the criteria that will be used to judge the applications? 
We are looking for creative ideas that address the goals of Why News Matters. As we review the proposals we will be looking at several criteria in evaluating proposals, including:

• Relevance of proposal to program priority areas
• Potential project impact
• Proposal originality
• Organization track record
• Ability to build on existing work and knowledge in news literacy
• Ability to connect proposal to McCormick Foundation priority areas

10. If I have a question about my application or my idea for Why News Matters, whom do I contact? 
Please e-mail your questions and inquiries to Aaron Smith, administrative officer, at ASmith@McCormickFoundation.org. The Journalism Program staff will review your question and get back to you by phone or e-mail.

Program staff will also be available to answer your questions at the following informational sessions and online Q&A events:

March 9, 2012, 3 pm CT 
Why News Matters Informational Webinar Featuring Journalism Program Director Clark Bell and Program Officers Mark Hallett and Janet Liao. Call in information: TBD
Click here to register now>

March 16, 2012, 3 pm CT 
Why News Matters Informational Session: Featuring Dean Miller, Director of Stony Brook's Center for News Literacy. Location: 205 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 4300, Chicago, IL 60601.
Click here to register now>

March 27, 2012, 3 pm CT
Why News Matters Informational Session:  Featuring Geanne Rosenberg, Baruch College. Location: 205 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 4300, Chicago, IL 60601.
Click here to register now>

11. When will I hear back about my application? What are the next steps? 
If your application is selected, we will contact you by the end of April to request a more detailed letter of inquiry. If you are not selected, you will be notified by letter or e-mail. By mid-June, a select group will be asked to submit full proposals. 

12. When will I receive funding if my project is selected? 
Grant winners will be notified in September 2012 and will receive their funding in January 2013.

13. Can I request multi-year funding?  What is the range of grant amounts being rewarded? 
We expect to invest about $2 million in 2013 in Why News Matters projects. In addition, we anticipate investing another $4 million in the following two years. A few grants will have budgets of more than $50,000, but most will be funded at less than $50,000 a year. In 2013, the majority of projects are likely to be one-year demonstration grants. A select group may be funded for two years or longer. We are in the final stages of developing a news literacy logic model that will shape Why News Matters as a multi-year initiative around tiered outcomes.

14. Can I submit more than one idea? 
Yes. We’ve kept the application form short and simple, and encourage you to share your viable ideas. Each idea should be submitted as a separate application.

15. How do I apply? 
To apply, fill out this brief application form on our online application system. Note: If you are a new user, you'll need to enter your e-mail address and create a password. If you already are registered with us, you can use your existing McCormick Grant Request log in and password. (Current grantees: This is the same log in and password you used to complete your year-end grant reports).

16. What websites will help us learn about news literacy? 
Please visit our Why News Matters resources page for links to news literacy programs and research.

17. Are there additional roles that McCormick Foundation hopes groups will play to support the sector that are NOT laid out in the Request for Ideas? What are they?
The Journalism Program plans to support initiatives meant to add ”glue” to the work of all of the individual partners in this initiative. This might include evaluation work, convening Why News Matters partners and creating an online hub for information-sharing. We want to find ways to help the sum of our grantees’ work become bigger than the individual parts.

Questions from Current Grantees 
18. My grant expires at the end of the year and I want to apply to renew funding for my current program. Do I have to submit both a Why New Matters application by April 2 and a Letter of Inquiry by May 1? 
If your project is not primarily focused on the scope of Why News Matters, we recommend that you submit a letter of inquiry through our normal grantmaking process by May 1, 2012. If you wish to also quality for a Why News Matters grant, please submit a separate application by April 2.  In some situations, organizations seeking to renew grants may end up developing a proposal that addresses news literacy.

19. I’m a current grantee and our projects already encompass youth media, youth journalism and news literacy. Should I submit a Why News Matters application if I have an idea that is separate from my current program? 
If you wish to also qualify for a Why News Matters grant, please submit a separate application by April 2, 2012, If your project is not primarily focused on the scope of Why News Matters, we recommend that you submit a letter of inquiry through our normal grantmaking process by May 1, 2012.

20. We are a grantee of the Foundation in another area (i.e. Civics, Communities). Can we still apply to the Why News Matters initiative?
Yes, McCormick already partners with select organizations that meet the guidelines in more than one program, so certainly this is possible under the Why News Matters initiative.

Questions from Informational Sessions and Webinars

21. Many of you have asked us to elaborate on our evaluation process and requirements. 
We’re pleased to share our evaluation logic model to give you a better sense of our program goals and framework and how your ideas might align. We plan to develop more detailed evaluation metrics from our work with Why News Matters grantees.


22. How can news literacy be incorporated into an area like work-force training? 
News literacy is intertwined with media, digital and other literacies.
We feel there are synergies with these disciplines in citizenship, workforce development and workforce reentry programs. McCormick, for example, funds digital navigators at the Chicago Public Libraries. Much of this traffic comes from older people looking for jobs.  Another example: Financial literacy teachers better connect with students by illustrating curriculum with relevant current economic events. We want to know your ideas on how news literacy skills align with other learning skills.


23. You say you want to engage the community. What’s your take on the role of journalism in advocacy and community organizing? 
We are exploring this question now more than ever in the past. That said, we are firm believers in pure journalism skills.  We’re certainly looking at  different ways that people learn and engage, but the focus has to be on informing and stimulating citizen action through a news literacy lens.  


24. Do I have to create a separate user name and log-in for every application I submit? 
You may submit multiple applications using the same username and password. Each application you submit will be assigned a unique identification number to help you keep track of your applications. See below:

At any time, you can access and work on your application(s) by logging into your grant application account by logging-in from https://www.GrantRequest.com/SID_1449. You can toggle between Submitted Applications and In Progress Applications by clicking on the “Show” drop down menu on the top right hand corner. 

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Imagine Your Day Without News

The McCormick Foundation Journalism Program partnered with a team of producers to create a video infographic that explains our definition of news literacy and our philosophy behind the Why News Matters initiative.

We encourage you to share this video and use it as a tool to help energize your colleagues, students, friends, family and others, to help make Chicago a city where hundreds of thousands of people – of all ages and backgrounds – are engaged in a variety of activities that enable them to access quality news, separate it from the noise and spin, and connect with the information they need to become more active in their communities. Suggested hashtags: #newsliteracy #journalism #whynewsmatters 


Learn more about the Why News Matters initiative: 

• Request for Ideas
• FAQs 
• Resources
• Informational Sessions

Video Credits

Produced by Carrie Porter

Animation by Micah C. Gardner

Music by Josh Moshier

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Why News Matters: Request for Ideas

Introduction
The Robert R. McCormick Foundation’s Journalism Program is launching Why News Matters, a grantmaking program designed to enhance news literacy skills and programs in Chicago.The McCormick Foundation plans to invest as much as $6 million over the next three years in the Why News Matters initiative.

News literacy is the ability to use critical thinking skills to judge the reliability and credibility of news reports and information sources. It enables citizens to become smarter consumers and creators of fact-based information. It helps them develop informed perspectives and the navigational skills to become effective citizens in a digitally connected society. News literacy programs also emphasize the importance of news and information, the value of reliable sources and appreciation of First Amendment freedoms.

The Why News Matters initiative will build on the strong news literacy youth and teacher training programs that have been the core of the McCormick Foundation’s journalism funding since 2009. Since then, we’ve learned more about young people and how they access news and information. But we also have much to learn. In addition to our youth work, we hope to expand the initiative to engage broader Chicago-area audiences.

Goal
The goal of this Request for Ideas is to significantly expand news literacy efforts throughout Chicago. We will solicit ideas and then fund a portfolio of high-impact projects. Organizations selected for funding will carry out multi-faceted approaches of expanding news literacy efforts throughout the Chicago area. We believe the Why News Matters initiative will yield a better informed and civically engaged citizenry.

Need
With the overwhelming flood of information, it’s harder than ever for consumers to distinguish news from noise. A 2010 Pew Research Center survey found that 70 percent of respondents feel overwhelmed by the amount of news and information from different sources, and 72 percent think most sources of news are biased.

A healthy 21^st Century democracy relies on informed citizens with the ability to access and analyze information. For example, preliminary research from Stony Brook University shows that students who have taken a news literacy course are more likely to register to vote and increase their exposure to news sources than students who have not taken the course.

We ask your assistance to help Chicagoans understand Why News Matters. Media organizations, high schools, universities, two-year colleges, community organizations, libraries and others all have a role to play. To learn more about our vision, view the video below.

Scope

The McCormick Foundation is looking for innovative ideas to extend our reach and impact in news literacy to Chicagoans of all ages and backgrounds. We are interested in supporting projects that address:

• Education: Integrate news literacy into public schools, after-school programs and community education settings. May include blending news literacy into Common Core classroom lessons.
• Training: Provide opportunities for Chicagoans to learn and teach others about news literacy. May include curriculum for adults and train-the-trainer workshops.
• Awareness & Engagement: Increase public understanding of news literacy principles. May include marketing campaigns, social media, web portals, apps, games, art programs and public service announcements.
• Research & Evaluation: Evaluate the impact of news literacy on student performance and civic engagement. May include program evaluation, design and implementation of assessment tools and other research on a sector-wide or project-level basis.

Why News Matters will not replace the Journalism Program’s current grantmaking framework of Content, Audience and Rights. Rather, it is intended to better focus the current framework and make it more effective in addressing news literacy needs in Chicago. To better understand the CAR grantmaking framework, review the Journalism Grantmaking Guidelines and our current Logic Model. We anticipate that most Why News Matters projects will fall under the Audience category of funding, while a few may fall within the Content and Rights categories.

Learning and Action Agenda

At its best, news literacy programs help citizens develop critical thinking skills, civic responsibility and respect for First Amendment freedoms. There are many aspects of news literacy we hope to better understand in coming years. Here are some of the questions we have discussed in creating Why News Matters:

• To what degree will civic engagement and knowledge of current events increase through news literacy programs?
• How do news literacy programs impact student success?
• What are the most effective ways to engage middle school, high school and college students in news literacy?
• Research indicates that the principles of news literacy are best learned through interactive, hands-on learning. Do students make strides in news literacy by creating and consuming content that addresses topics of importance to youth?
• Can news literacy content be incorporated into curriculum implementing Common Core standards? What other opportunities are there to apply the values of news literacy in Common Core curriculum? What are the most effective ways to engage adults and seniors in news literacy activities?
• Can news literacy be incorporated with existing adult literacy programs? What about existing job training programs?
• Are there strategies for engaging specific ethnic groups?
• What role can youth play in teaching people of all ages the principles of news literacy?
• Is there potential for news literacy programs to collaborate with other literacies – financial, health and civic?
• How does news literacy overlap with Digital Literacy, Information Literacy and Media Literacy?
• Are there effective ways for news organizations to engage their audiences in news literacy?
• What shared activities, web portals, and collective learning might help bring ‘glue’ to the individual projects funded through this initiative?

Please visit our Why News Matters resources page for links to news literacy programs and research.

Application                                                                                                             

To apply, register as a user and fill out this brief application form on our online application system. Note: If you are a new user to our online application system, you'll need to enter your e-mail address and create a password. If you already are registered with us, you can use your existing McCormick Grant Request log in and password. (Current grantees: This is the same log in and password you used to complete your year-end grant reports). 

The application form includes:   

• Your idea: Give us your elevator pitch. (100 words or less)
• Audience: Who would your initiative target and why? (50 words or less)
• Timeline: Provide a rough overview of the time frame. (50 words or less)
• Budget: What is the estimated cost of the program? (25 words or less)
• Mission statement: Copy and paste your organization’s mission statement.
• Expertise: Why is your organization suited to carry out the project? (50 words or less)
• Evaluation: How you would evaluate the impact of your project? (50 words or less)
• Additional thoughts: Anything else you’d like to add.(50 words or less)

The deadline for submissions is April 2, 2012. Organizations can apply with more than one idea. If your application is selected, we will contact you by late April to request a more detailed letter of inquiry. By mid-June, selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals.

Grant winners will be notified in September 2012 and will receive their funding in January 2013.

Ideas can be submitted by 501c3 nonprofit organizations, as well as individuals and businesses partnering with tax-exempt organizations. If you are invited to submit a final proposal, you must select a fiscal agent that is a 501c3.

This initiative is focused on the Chicago area, though we will consider select national programs that have impact on news literacy in Chicago.

Funding

The Foundation plans to invest as much as $2 million in 2013 in the Why News Matters initiative, and we anticipate investing another $4 million in the following two years. In 2013, the majority of projects are likely to be one-year demonstration grants. A select group may be funded for two years or longer. We are in the final stages of developing a news literacy logic model that will shape Why News Matters as a multi-year initiative around tiered outcomes. 

Consult the Why News Matters section of the McCormick Media Matters program blog, which will include a list of FAQs, additional resources and information on upcoming Q&A sessions and webinars. We look forward to hearing from you by April 2, 2012.

If you have questions or comments, please e-mail Aaron Smith at asmith@mccormickfoundation.org. The Journalism Program staff will review your question and get back to you by phone or e-mail. 


Download this RFI as a PDF>

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Why News Matters: Informational Sessions & Webinars

The Robert R. McCormick Foundation has issued a Request for Ideas to individuals and organizations interested in helping to discover Why News Matters. The application, due April 2, 2012, is now live and can be accessed online through our online application system. 

In March, we will be hosting two in-person informational sessions and a webinar about our news literacy initiative, Why News Matters.

Program staff will also be available to answer your questions at the following informational sessions and online Q&A events.

You must register to attend these events. In-person events will be capped at 20 participants. For those who are unable to attend, the sessions will be video recorded and posted for later viewing.

March 9, 2012, 3 pm CT 

WEBINAR 
Why News Matters Informational Webinar Featuring Journalism Program Director Clark Bell and Program Officers Mark Hallett and Janet Liao. Call in information: TBD
Click here to register now>

March 16, 2012, 3 pm CT
IN-PERSON SESSION
Why News Matters Informational Session: Featuring Dean Miller, Director of Stony Brook’s Center for News Literacy. Location: 205 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 4300, Chicago, IL 60601.
Click here to register now>

March 27, 2012, 3 pm CT                         
IN-PERSON SESSION
Why News Matters Informational Session:  Featuring Geanne Rosenberg, Baruch College. Location: 205 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 4300, Chicago, IL 60601.
Click here to register now>

If you have other questions or inquiries, e-mail Aaron Smith (ASmith@McCormickFoundation.org).

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Why News Matters Resources

Here is more information about our impact and evaluation strategy for our news literacy work, as well as our current research projects.

Impact & Evaluation 

A news literacy evaluation logic model is being developed for the Why News Matters initiative. The model will provide baseline indicators and desired targets for the short-and long-term. 

To date, our progress indicators (benchmarks for success) in news literacy have focused on: 

▪ Number of schools implementing news literacy.

▪ Number of students reached by news literacy training. 

▪ Number of youth journalism programs infusing news literacy into curriculum. 

▪ Number of teachers trained in news literacy.

In the longer term (2015), we aim to achieve the following targets:

▪ CPS adopts a news literacy curriculum. 

▪ Expand news literacy classes at local colleges and universities 

▪ Extend reach of news literacy programs throughout Chicago.

Under Why News Matters, we are looking to expand our indicators to address questions in the Learning & Action Agenda section of the Request for Ideas.  Click here for a more comprehensive look at our program logic model. 

Current Research Projects 

To help us reach long-term targets, McCormick Foundation is partnering on several projects to evaluate the impact of news literacy training on young people. The effort includes developing a set of reliable tools for measuring news literacy impact that is shared with other funders, government leaders, school officials, teachers and parents. The evaluation initiatives in progress are summarized below. 

Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet and Society is carrying out a multi-faceted project with McCormick funding to identify the news literacy approaches with the most impact on conducting focus groups in four cities, to help design a curriculum and toolkit. The goal of the Youth and Media Lab is to illuminate best practices from various disciplines to feed news literacy knowledge and practice.

What we will learn: Knowing how youth use the internet should feed news literacy programs and help them better engage their intended audience. What lessons can the news literacy movement draw from information literacy, media literacy, and youth media to help feed news literacy curricula?

University of Missouri: The McCormick Journalism Program is partnering with Stephanie Craft of the University of Missouri to explore a variety of news literacy evaluation issues. This project will help the determine if levels of news media literacy go hand in hand with pro-social attitudes and behaviors such as interest in current affairs, voting and other forms of civic engagement. Prof. Craft has created a survey tool but will conduct focus groups to further improve the model and then conduct a citywide survey of diverse Chicago teens.

What we will learn: What is the relationship between news literacy knowledge and attitudes toward civic engagement? What is the relationship between participants in youth media and scholastic programs and news literacy awareness? What are the best indicators to assess levels of news media literacy?

McCormick Foundation's 2012 News Literacy Grantees 

• Research Foundation for City of New York (Baruch College) for a NYC high school journalism initiative & news literacy symposium. 
• City Colleges of Chicago Foundation  for student media production and news literacy curriculum. 
• Common Sense Media for after school journalism training.
• Florida Gulf Coast University for newsmaker digital conversations with news literacy students. 
• Harvard University-Berkman Center for Youth & Social Media Lab research. 
• Heartland Alliance Social Impact Research Center for evaluation of youth media initiatives.  
• Radio & Television Digital News Association for news literacy training.  
• Pulitzer Center for support of Chicago youth media classroom project. 
• Strategic Human Services/North Lawndale Community for news internships and news literacy training. 
• News Literacy Project for news literacy programs in Chicago Public Schools, including Mt. Vernon Elementary.  
• Stony Brook Foundation Inc. for news literacy training & curriculum. 
• Univ. of Missouri for news literacy evaluation. 

Previous News Literacy Conferences 

Setting Learning Goals for News Literacy. Prof. Geanne Rosenberg of Baruch College directed the November 2010 Inaugural High School News Literacy Summit for high school students, educators and observers from journalism and youth media institutions. Baruch also hosted a dinner/brainstorming session for news/media/digital/information literacy funders, leaders and educators. As you set your own news literacy goals, check out the News Literacy Learning Goals that came out of the convening.

Stony Brook University News Literacy Conference. Visit the News Literacy Conference web site chronicling the first national conference on News Literacy. If you didn’t participate in the conference, this is an opportunity to “attend” the conference yourself. Stony Brook has arranged several layers of navigation so you can spend just a few minutes or a few hours exploring the conference. You will learn what News Literacy is. You will meet the conference attendees, including university presidents and top news media leaders. You can watch a presentation on how a course in News Literacy already is being taught to thousands of undergraduates at Stony Brook University. You can experience the conference “breakout” sessions for yourself and hear about a “Big Idea.”

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