The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc
The Poynter Institute for Media Studies is a public charity based in St. Petersburg, Florida. Founded in 1975, it is a journalism school and nonprofit that supports journalism through training, fact-checking, media literacy, and programs intended to strengthen news organizations and the role of journalism in democracy.
The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc at a glance
In short: The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc gave $524K across 23 grants in 2024 (avg $23K), top state Wisconsin. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $524,041
- +368.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 23
- +228.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $22,784
- +42.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $51,558,444
- -3.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (25% 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 The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc
- Review Cycle
- The SUSTAIN 2026 opportunity closed March 25, 2026.
- Deadline
- The SUSTAIN 2026 opportunity closed March 25, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 801 3Rd Street S, Stpetersburg, FL 33701
Phone: (727) 821-9494
Website: https://poynter.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc
Who The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Wisconsin Center for Investig ($110K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $440K.
Grant Size Distribution
45 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 42 grants of 45 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Poynter is based in St. Petersburg, Florida. Its IFCN grant programs describe an international scope and support fact-checkers worldwide. In 2024, reported grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states; the largest shares by recipient state were Wisconsin (25%), Virginia (18%), Pennsylvania (10%), New Jersey (9%), and California (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 23 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $112K (2023) to $524K (2024). In 2024 it made 23 grants totaling $524K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Center for Investig Milwaukee, WI | IFCN | $100,000 |
| Trustees of The Univ of Penn Philadelphia, PA | IFCN | $50,000 |
| USA Today McLean, VA | IFCN Global Fact Check Fund | $50,000 |
| Univision Communications Inc Teaneck, NJ | IFCN | $45,000 |
| USA Today McLean, VA | IFCN Climate Misinformation Grant | $45,000 |
| Factchequeado Carmichael, CA | IFCN Spread The Facts 2024 | $40,000 |
| Factly Media & Research Prosper, TX | IFCN | $40,000 |
| News Detective Deerfield, IL | IFCN Spread The Facts 2024 | $25,000 |
| Check Your Fact Washington, DC | IFCN | $12,500 |
| Snopes Media Group Inc Dover, DE | IFCN | $12,500 |
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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 | $51,558,444 | $17,380,983 | $19,103,690 | $524,041 | 23 | $853,411 |
| 2023 | $53,172,582 | $15,869,602 | $15,343,965 | $111,791 | 7 | $480,729 |
| 2022 | $52,443,430 | $14,970,668 | $14,375,166 | $252,854 | 6 | $301,275 |
| 2021 | $51,768,897 | $13,169,218 | $10,543,785 | $198,879 | 6 | $345,565 |
| 2020 | $49,655,166 | $14,644,938 | $12,159,083 | $121,167 | 3 | $211,871 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Poynter describes its mission as teaching and inspiring journalists and media leaders, promoting excellence and integrity in journalism, and supporting independent journalism that informs citizens and contributes to public discourse. Its stated areas of specialization include ethics and fact-checking, reporting and storytelling, developing journalism’s leaders, advancing newsroom diversity, and strengthening local news companies.
Its grantmaking includes support for fact-checking, including capacity-building, sustainability, audience engagement, and climate fact-checking initiatives. In the 2023 GROW program, eligible applicants included verified IFCN signatories and other fact-checking organizations partnered with or endorsed by a verified signatory. The program described potential projects such as professional development, expanding fact-checking media literacy, diversifying revenue, and building partnerships. It excluded political or partisan activities, among other categories.
One 2024 recipient, American University, described its own mission as advancing knowledge, fostering intellectual curiosity, building community, and empowering lives of purpose, service, and leadership.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Poynter reported 23 grants totaling $524,041. Grant amounts ranged from $5,750 to $100,000, with a median of $10,000. Many of the largest awards listed IFCN purposes: $100,000 to the Wisconsin Center for Investigations; $50,000 to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania; $50,000 to USA Today for the IFCN Global Fact Check Fund; and $45,000 to Univision Communications. Other listed awards included $45,000 to USA Today for the IFCN Climate Misinformation Grant, $40,000 to Factchequeado for IFCN Spread The Facts 2024, and $40,000 to Factly Media & Research for IFCN.
Poynter’s Global Fact Check Fund page describes SUSTAIN as a program for IFCN signatories focused on financial sustainability and the impact of fact-checking journalism. The page states that the SUSTAIN 2026 opportunity opened February 19, 2026, and closed March 25, 2026; this is a past application cycle. It also says that awards for that round were anticipated to be $30,000 each. The fund’s earlier GROW guidance describes eligibility, selection considerations, and restricted activities; those guidelines should not be assumed to govern later rounds.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2024 filing include Paul Tash, chairman; Neil Brown, president; Jessica M. Navarro, COO and CFO; Kelly B. McBride, senior vice president; Sitara S. Nieves, vice president of teaching and organization; Aaron M. Sharockman, vice president of sales and strategy; Angie Holan, director of IFCN; Deborah W. Read, chief development officer; Jennifer L. Orsi, vice president of publishing; and Conan Gallaty, trustee.
The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc is led by Neil Brown, President on every filing since 2020; 16 of 17 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Neil Brown
President
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$291K (2020) → $356K (2024)
Paul C. Tash
Chairman
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$50K (2023) → $50K (2024)
Ann Marie Lipinski
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$5K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Lori Bergen
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$3K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Monica Davey
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$3K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Paula Ellis
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2020) → $2K (2024)
Robert King
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$2K (2020) → $4K (2024)
Stephen Buckley
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$5K (2020) → $3K (2024)
Lori Waldon-Deadwyler
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$2K (2023) → $3K (2024)
Angie Holan
Director of Ifcn
New on the 2024 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$153K (2024)
Conan Gallaty
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aaron M. Sharockman
Vice President Sales & Strateg
Vice President for Sales & Strategic Partnerships → Vice President Sales & Strategic Partnerships, 2022
Vice President Sales & Strategic Partnerships → Vice President Sales & Strateg, 2024
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$112K (2020) → $170K (2024)
Jessica M. Navarro
COO & CFO
Vice President → COO & CFO, 2021
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$126K (2020) → $239K (2024)
Kelly B. McBride
Senior Vice President
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$188K (2020) → $219K (2024)
Deborah W. Read
Chief Devlop Officer
Chief Development Officer → Chief Devlop Officer, 2024
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$142K (2022) → $168K (2024)
Jennifer L. Orsi
Vice President of Publishing
Trustee → Vice President of Publishing, 2024
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$2K (2022) → $157K (2024)
Sitara S. Nieves
Vice President Teaching & Orgn
Faculty → Vice President Teaching & Orgn'l Strategy, 2023
Vice President Teaching & Orgn'l Strategy → Vice President Teaching & Orgn, 2024
On filings since 2022
37.5 hrs/week
$160K (2022) → $214K (2024)
Former officers (7)
- Former: Christina L. Dyakon (2023) — Senior Director, Experience & Events
- Former: Tony P. Elkins (2023) — Faculty
- Former: Alan D. Tompkins (2020–2022) — Senior Faculty & Broadcast
- Former: Doris N. Trong (2020–2022) — Director of Teaching & Diversity Strategies
- Former: Cheryl B. Carpenter (2020–2021) — Leadership Faculty
- Former: Clara A. Holan (2020–2021) — Editor-In-Chief & Politifac
- Former: Andrew P. Corty (2020) — Trustee
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 $356K, to Neil Brown (President). 16 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc
How much does The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc give each year?
The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc gave $524K across 23 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $112K across 7 grants.
What is The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc's typical grant size?
The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $22,784, across 23 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc give grants?
The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc's top state is Wisconsin, with 25% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Virginia (18%) and Pennsylvania (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (4 grants), McLean, VA (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 23 grants with a stated purpose on The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Ifcn" (6 grants), "Beat Academy" (3 grants) and "Private Equity Journalism" (3 grants).
Who are The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc's largest grantees?
The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Wisconsin Center for Investig ($110,000 across 2 grants), USA Today ($95,000 across 2 grants) and Trustees of The Univ of Penn ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc?
The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc reported $51.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $17.4M.
What does The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc fund?
Poynter describes its mission as teaching and inspiring journalists and media leaders, promoting excellence and integrity in journalism, and supporting independent journalism that informs citizens and contributes to public discourse. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc?
The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check poynter.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc's EIN?
The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-1630423. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 31, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 30, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-poynter-institute-for-media-studies-inc-morg_5061f72ed46347eb88dcdf64ae6b8bfa
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_591630423_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-poynter-institute-for-media-studies-inc-morg_5061f72ed46347eb88dcdf64ae6b8bfa},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc'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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