Poynter Institute for Media Studies Inc

Democracy Needs Journalism. Journalism Needs You. 

In a time of extraordinary news and accelerating transformation of the media industry, Poynter’s role in elevating journalism and the people it serves has never been more critical.

The Poynter Institute has grown from a storefront in sunny St. Petersburg, Florida, to the world’s most influential school for journalists. Poynter is an instructor, innovator, convener and resource for anyone who aspires to engage and inform citizens. We serve not only 21st century democracies, but also those in corners of the globe where people who honor freedom and self-government struggle against tyrants and autocrats.

Each year, Poynter trains over 100,000 journalists from more than 70 countries in person and online. Since the start of our online education initiative in 2005, we’ve taught journalists in virtually every country in the world.

Students, teachers and community members in Tampa Bay also come to Poynter to learn about journalism and citizenship. Tampa Bay students participate in Poynter’s High School Journalism Program each summer, learning about the news business from the inside. The Write Field is a dynamic program designed to improve the writing, public speaking skills and confidence of middle school African-American and Hispanic boys in St. Petersburg. Teachers from Pinellas and Hillsborough counties learn new strategies to coach young writers at our Summer Language Arts Institute. Hundreds of community members get the chance to talk to journalism’s luminaries like Jake Tapper, Kathleen Parker, Dan Rather and Marty Baron during our Community Conversation speaker series.

Any donation amount supports Poynter’s mission of supporting democracy by strengthening journalism. Here’s how specific donation levels could be used:

• $10: Your gift could help us research new digital tools for journalists.
• $30: Your gift allows us do things like offer free webinars on best practices for reporting on natural disasters.
• $330: Your gift can contribute to one PolitiFact fact-check, once you count the reporting and editing time, and the energy it takes to maintain the website.
• $500: Your gift could help us lower costs for local teachers to attend our summer language arts institute.
• $1,750: Your gift could change the life of one middle school boy by sending him to our Write Field program for one year.

By supporting Poynter, you cement journalism’s role in societies around the world—and right here in Tampa Bay. You will help us drive the conversation about best practices, freedom of expression and civil dialogue, and accessible, ethical journalism that helps citizens participate in a healthy democracy.

Your support makes a huge difference.