The Journalists’ Charity is excited to announce a new partnership with the National Council for the Training of Journalists aimed at boosting support for journalists and trainees.
Following the recent launch of the first jobs fund – which provides financial assistance to new journalists, the charity is extending its support offer with a donation to the NCTJ’s Journalism Diversity Fund. Now in its sixteenth year, the scheme provides financial support with the cost of training for individuals from financially challenged and diverse backgrounds. More than 90% of recipients go on to complete their qualifications and get a job in journalism.
Support from the Journalists’ Charity will initially fund two bursaries, helping to develop future talent at a time of rising debt and increasing costs. The new partnership will also bring added benefits, including the opportunity to sign-post the charity’s unique financial assistance offer to journalists who are unaware that help is available.
James Brindle, the Journalists’ Charity’s CEO said, “The journalism diversity fund is one of the industry’s big success stories so it’s great for the charity to get involved and play our part. The fact that the fund is oversubscribed makes the charity’s contribution all the more important.
“Working closely with the NCTJ will help the charity to give more support to journalists who need us, and right now, that’s more important than ever.”
Joanne Butcher, Chief Executive of the NCTJ said, “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the Journalists’ Charity on board as a supporter of the Journalism Diversity Fund.
“We admire the work this long-standing and important industry charity is doing to increase its support for journalists who need assistance throughout their careers as well as later in life.
“Our new mutually beneficial partnership with the Journalists’ Charity reflects our commitment to increasing the work we do with like-minded charities that share our values.”
About the JDF:
The scheme was established in 2005, funded by an annual grant from NLA media access. Since then, it has enabled more than 400 people from disadvantaged backgrounds to undertake professional journalism training on NCTJ-accredited courses. In 2020 alone, the JDF offered assistance to a record 59 individuals due to the generous financial support from a growing number of media partners.
Since the start of this year, the JDF has received financial backing from eight new partners and is now supported by 22 media organisations.
The NCTJ continues to seek additional funding sources so that this tried and trusted programme can meet demand from the rising number of prospective journalists who would otherwise not be able to gain professional qualifications.
Bursaries are awarded to help cover the costs of NCTJ Diploma in Journalism course fees and/or living expenses, depending on an individual’s specific circumstances. All bursary recipients are matched with a professional journalist mentor from one of the sponsoring media organisations for the duration of their course.
Successful candidates are also connected with work experience opportunities and other insight events organised by the NCTJ and its JDF partners.
The Journalism Diversity Fund is now supported financially by 19 media organisations: Aziz Foundation, BBC, Bloomberg, BMJ, CNN International, DMG Media, Dow Jones, Financial Times, Google News Initiative, Insider Inc, ITV News, Journalists’ Charity, Newsquest, News UK, NLA media access, PA Media, Society of Editors, The Printing Charity, Reach Plc, Reuters, Sky and Yahoo UK.