Scripps Howard Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $9.8 million (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Approximately 2 months (applications close February, decisions announced April)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,000,000+ (varies by program)
• Geographic Focus: National (with emphasis on Greater Cincinnati and Scripps media markets)

Contact Details

Website: https://scripps.com/fund/

General Contact: (513) 977-3035

Program-Specific Contacts:

• Journalism grants: Mike Canan, (513) 977-3030
• Cincinnati nonprofit grants (under $15,000): [email protected]
• Cincinnati nonprofit grants ($15,000+): [email protected]
• Development/Gifts: Meredith Delaney, (513) 977-3889

Online Application Portal: https://scrippshowardfoundation.submittable.com/submit

Overview

The Scripps Howard Foundation (EIN 31-6025114) was established in 1962 by the Scripps family to support causes of importance to the family and its business activities. It has grown to become the largest corporate foundation in the Greater Cincinnati area, with its annual budget expanding from $100,000 in 1971 to over $100 million. Working collaboratively with the Scripps Howard Fund (a related public charity), the organizations distributed $9.8 million in 2024—a nearly 10% increase from 2023. The foundation's mission is to create an informed and engaged world through three core pillars: advancing journalism education, promoting childhood literacy (especially for children living in poverty), and supporting communities where The E.W. Scripps Company operates.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Childhood Literacy Programs (Cincinnati Area)

• Small Grants: Under $15,000
• Large Grants: $15,000 and greater
• Focus: Early childhood literacy for children living in poverty
• Application Method: Online portal, annual cycle (applications January 1-February 14, decisions announced April)
• Recent Example: The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati received funding for Page to Stage Literacy Program for first graders

2. Investigative Journalism Centers (Major Universities)

• Grant Range: $1,000,000 - $2,000,000+ (multi-year)
• Recent Recipients: University of Maryland and Arizona State University ($2 million+ to support Howard Centers for Investigative Journalism); University of Southern Mississippi ($1 million per year for three years for Roy Howard Community Journalism Center)
• Application Method: Invitation only or competitive RFP

3. Community College Journalism Programs

• Grant Amount: Up to $15,000 (one-time grants)
• Purpose: Creating, expanding, or improving experiential journalism programs
• Focus: Serving underrepresented students
• Application Method: Annual competitive cycle

4. University Journalism Education Grants

• Grant Range: $5,000 - $300,000+
• Types: Diversity and inclusion initiatives, investigative reporting programs, open-source journalism training
• Application Method: Annual cycles with specific RFPs (typically announced with April and September deadlines)

5. Roy Howard Fellows Program

• Grant Amount: $200,000 total program funding
• Purpose: Professional development for emerging journalists

6. Scripps Howard Journalism Awards

• Prize Pool: $170,000 across 15 categories
• Entry Fee: $75 per submission
• Application Method: Annual competition

Priority Areas

Childhood Literacy:

• Implementing or expanding early childhood literacy programs
• Purchasing books, materials, or technology for literacy programs
• Summer reading programs addressing summer reading loss
• Programs supporting students reading below grade level
• Building home libraries for children of low socioeconomic status

Journalism Education:

• Investigative journalism training and centers
• Diversity and inclusion in journalism
• Open-source investigative reporting
• Community journalism development
• Experiential learning programs connecting classroom and newsroom
• AI in journalism initiatives

Community Support:

• Organizations serving Scripps media markets
• Hurricane and disaster relief in Scripps communities
• Arts, culture, education, human services, and civic affairs (Greater Cincinnati)

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations outside Greater Cincinnati and Scripps media markets (unless by invitation)
• For-profit entities
• Organizations that do not align with childhood literacy or journalism education priorities

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Meredith Delaney - President and CEO (appointed May 2024)

• Previously served as Director of Philanthropic Strategies
• Under her leadership, the Fund increased donors from under 1,000 in 2017 to 12,000
• Quote: "This job is incredibly gratifying... working for the Scripps Howard Fund combines several of my passions: providing resources for students in need, journalism and my love of books."
• On 2024 impact: "The impact of our 2024 funding underscores the power of collaboration that drives everything we do – creating opportunities, building brighter futures for young people through reading and fostering a more engaged, informed world."

Senior Staff:

• Mike Canan - Senior Director of Journalism Strategies
• Carrie High - Director of Philanthropic Strategies
• Jessica Lawrence - Director of Development
• Casey Ruschman - Community Giving Manager
• Allison Hunter - Journalism Program Manager

Board of Trustees

Executive Committee:

• Becky Riegelsberger - Chairperson
• Jason Combs - Treasurer
• David M. Giles - Secretary
• Meredith Delaney - President & CEO

Additional Trustees: Include Samantha Brickner Anderson, Kathleen Choal, Leon Clark, and others (17 trustees total)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Cincinnati Literacy Grants:

1. Determine grant category (under $15,000 or $15,000+)
2. Create account on Submittable portal (https://scrippshowardfoundation.submittable.com/submit)
3. Submit application between January 1 and midnight February 14
4. Use recommended browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari
5. Organizations eligible for only one grant per calendar year

For Journalism Education Grants:

• Monitor the Scripps Howard Fund website for specific RFP announcements
• Different programs have different deadlines (typically April or September)
• University partnerships and major investigative journalism centers are often invitation-only
• Community college grants announced annually

For Organizations Outside Greater Cincinnati:

• Grants made on invitation basis only
• Must be in regions where Scripps operates television stations or media properties

Decision Timeline

Cincinnati Community Grants:

• Applications accepted: January 1 - February 14
• Review period: February - April
• Decisions announced: April
• Total timeline: Approximately 2 months

Journalism Grants:

• Varies by program
• Example: Emerging Journalists Program applications due March 31, reviewed in April, recipients announced May 5 (approximately 5 weeks)

Success Rates

Success rate information is not publicly available. According to industry sources, "competition is fierce, but patience pays off here."

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly stated. Organizations can apply once per calendar year for Cincinnati community grants.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and recent funding patterns:

For Literacy Grants:

• Demonstrate clear focus on children living in poverty: The foundation explicitly prioritizes this population
• Show measurable literacy outcomes: Programs supporting students reading below grade level or addressing summer reading loss
• Articulate sustainability: How will the program continue beyond grant funding?
• Include book distribution or home library components: The "If You Give a Child a Book…" campaign (which provided 255,000 books in 2024) shows this is a priority
• Serve Greater Cincinnati area: Geographic alignment is essential for unrestricted access

For Journalism Grants:

• Emphasize hands-on, experiential learning: The foundation prioritizes bridging classroom and newsroom experiences
• Include investigative journalism components: Major multi-year grants focus on investigative reporting
• Address diversity and inclusion: The foundation has dedicated funding streams for programs that increase representation
• Demonstrate institutional commitment: Universities receiving major grants show long-term sustainability plans
• Focus on community journalism: The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center at USM exemplifies this priority
• Innovation in journalism education: Recent grants support AI in journalism and open-source investigative techniques

Strategic Insights:

• Meredith Delaney's comments suggest the foundation values "powerful journalism that explores urgent social issues" including mental health, criminal justice, environmental crises, and systemic inequities
• The foundation looks for journalism that can "inform, engage and inspire change"
• Partnership and collaboration are repeatedly emphasized in foundation communications
• Contact program officers before applying—they welcome questions at (513) 977-3030

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic eligibility is critical: Unless you're in Greater Cincinnati or a Scripps media market, you need an invitation to apply
• Align with one of two core missions: Childhood literacy for low-income children or journalism education—the foundation is highly focused
• Competition is fierce: With $9.8 million distributed annually and national reach, expect significant competition
• Multi-year relationships: Major grants often involve sustained partnerships (e.g., three-year, $3 million commitment to USM)
• Watch for specific RFPs: Many journalism grants are announced as time-limited competitive opportunities with specific themes
• Organizations can only receive one Cincinnati grant per year: Plan your application strategically
• Contact program officers: Staff welcome questions and can provide guidance before you apply
• Innovation matters: Recent grants support emerging areas like AI in journalism and open-source investigative reporting

References

• Scripps Howard Fund official website: https://scripps.com/fund/ (accessed January 2026)
• Scripps Howard Fund Application Portal: https://scrippshowardfoundation.submittable.com/submit (accessed January 2026)
• Leadership page: https://scripps.com/fund/about/leadership/ (accessed January 2026)
• Our Hometown Grants program: https://scripps.com/fund/community-giving/our-hometown/ (accessed January 2026)
• "Scripps Howard Fund and Scripps Howard Foundation gave $9.8 million in charitable gifts in 2024," Press Release, February 2025
• "Scripps appoints new president and CEO of the Scripps Howard Fund," Press Release, May 2024
• "Scripps Howard Fund offers $350,000 in grants to support journalism education," Scripps News
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Scripps Howard Foundation (EIN 31-6025114) tax filings
• Inside Philanthropy: Scripps Howard Foundation profile
• Charity Navigator: Scripps Howard Fund (EIN 87-2877540) profile