Eligibility Criteria

WIJF grant funding is available to both non-profit and for-profit organizations, provided they are community-based news sources in western Iowa. Grantmaking does not include funding for:

  1. Individuals

  2. Endowments

  3. Organizations or projects that unlawfully discriminate with regard to employees, volunteers, delivery of programs or services, or clients served on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran.

  4. Any organization or project that is inconsistent with WIJF’s mission, vision, values, and strategic framework

  5. Any funding which does not directly support community journalism that ensures long-term access to accurate local news and investigative reporting throughout western Iowa

  6. Lobbying as defined by the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), section 4945(d)(1)

  7. Activities supporting political candidates or voter registration drives, as defined in IRC section 4945(d)(2)

  8. Mere “pass-through” grants