Online News Association
To inspire and support innovation and excellence in digital journalism. Our vision is for the journalism community to boldly innovate to better engage and inform the public.
Online News Association at a glance
In short: Online News Association gave $643K across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $214K), mostly in Georgia. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $642,600
- -58.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $214,200
- -58.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $1,943,497
- +3.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Georgia (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Online News Association
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Online News Association
AI in Journalism Initiative
Online News Association
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Ongoing
MJ Bear Fellowship
Online News Association
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Online Journalism Awards (OJAs)
Online News Association
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Online News Association funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Pivot Fund ($625K). Together the top 3 received $643K.
Grant Size Distribution
26 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 23 grants of 26 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Online News Association gives
- Giving grew 3572% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $18K (2021) to $1.5M (2023). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $643K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pivot Fund Lawrence, GA | For the Pivot Program. | $625,100 |
| Pro Publica Inc New York, NY | General excellence in online journalism - medium; knight award for public service | $10,000 |
| The Washington Post Washington, DC | University of Florida award for investigative data journalism, large newsroom | $7,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,943,497 | $3,753,008 | $3,296,735 | $642,600 | 3 | $109,287 |
| 2023 | $1,873,769 | $4,470,046 | $4,975,890 | $1,542,000 | 3 | $123,264 |
| 2022 | $2,002,614 | $4,084,170 | $4,653,325 | $1,216,578 | 5 | $39,214 |
| 2021 | $2,598,413 | $1,989,301 | $2,271,171 | $17,500 | 2 | $17,909 |
| 2020 | $3,153,402 | $2,619,791 | $2,628,784 | $195,460 | 13 | $6,421 |
About Online News Association
Based on IRS filings
Online News Association is a public charity focused on Education, based in Washington, DC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.9M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $643K. Net investment income was $109K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Online News Association is led by Lasharah Bunting Ceo And, Executive Director on the 2024 filing; 4 of 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lasharah Bunting Ceo And
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$191K (2024)
David Smydra
President
Vice President → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Leith
Director of Finance & Administration
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$101K (2023) → $102K (2024)
Hanaa Rifaey Head Of Strat
Part. & Interim Exe. Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$114K (2024)
Kelsey Proud
Interim Head of Programs
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$111K (2024)
Imaeyen Ibanga
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rodney Gibbs
Board Member
Board Member → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rubina Madan Fillion
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Versha Sharma
Board Member
Secretary → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Fitzgerald
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angela Pacienza
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elana Zak
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Graham Watson-Ringo
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Gabriel
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristen Reed
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Alvarado Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charo Henriquez Vice Pres
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ethar El-Katatney
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Williams
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Kellett
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (21)
- Former: Niketa Patel Secretary (2024) — Jan. & Then Vice President · Filing note: Until
- Former: Anita Li (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Charo Henriquez (2020–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Fergus Bell (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Niketa Patel (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Ashley Alvarado (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Jessica Stewart Chief Strat (2023) — Partshp. Officer & Acting CEO
- Former: Lasharah Bunting (2023) — CEO & Exe. Director
- Former: Trevor Knoblich Chief (2023) — Knowledge Officer & Acting CEO
- Former: Irving Washington (2020–2022) — Executive Director
- Former: Jessica Stewart Strelitz (2020–2022) — Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer
- Former: Anita Zielina (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Susan Gonzalez (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Trevor Knoblich (2021–2022) — Chief Knowledge Officer
- Former: Aiyana Ishmael (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Maryanne Reed (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Shazna Nessa (2020–2021) — President
- Former: Benet Wilson (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Celeste Lecompte (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Ebony Reed (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Mandy Jenkins (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $191K, to Lasharah Bunting CEO and (Executive DIR. Until October). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Online News Association
How much does Online News Association give each year?
Online News Association gave $643K across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.5M across 3 grants.
What is Online News Association's typical grant size?
Online News Association's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $214,200, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Online News Association give grants?
Online News Association gives mostly in Georgia: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does Online News Association give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of Online News Association's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 3) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
How large is Online News Association?
Online News Association reported $1.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.8M.
What is Online News Association?
Online News Association is a public charity focused on Education, based in Washington, DC. It holds $1.9M in total assets as of 2024.
What is Online News Association's EIN?
Online News Association's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 51-0389878. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 2, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 21, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Online News Association funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Online News Association's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from Online News Association's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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