Leading-edge business certificate for nonprofit news organizations offers full scholarships at the Newmark J-School

Applications open today for the Nonprofit News Business Certificate, a 9-month, project-based training program that will be a game-changer for nonprofit local newsrooms in the United States at a time when the nonprofit news sector is surging. 

The certificate, developed by J+ at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, in partnership with the American Journalism Project and Blue Engine Collaborative, will focus on business and financial management for leaders of nonprofit news organizations.

Full scholarships to cover the $20,000 tuition will be given to candidates accepted in the first two cohorts thanks to generous support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. 

“The Newmark J-School runs dozens of professional, expert-led and diverse training programs focused on leadership and business management that have a far-reaching impact on newsrooms,” said Newmark J-School Dean Graciela Mochkofsky. “The Nonprofit News Business Certificate will build robust business foundations for leaders working in nonprofit news so organizations can succeed and thrive, ultimately strengthening the local news ecosystem.” 

The new training is open to current nonprofit news leaders looking to improve their business skills and nonprofit leaders of any kind who want a jumpstart getting into nonprofit news. Ideal candidates include current local nonprofit news leaders, for-profit journalism leaders transitioning to nonprofit, local journalism, business professionals transitioning to journalism, CEOs, fundraisers, and business leaders from the broader nonprofit sector who are committed to strengthening local news organizations.

“The future of journalism depends on our ability to both nurture talent from within the industry and attract fresh perspectives from beyond the traditional newsroom. At the American Journalism Project, we’ve seen firsthand how professionals from other sectors bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to local news. This program is a vital step in building a strong talent pipeline, making it easier to recruit, onboard, and equip new leaders to transform and sustain the industry,” said Sarabeth Berman, CEO of the American Journalism Project.

The American Journalism Project will provide on-the-ground insights to inform the program design and help with identifying great nonprofit talent, while Blue Engine Collaborative will provide coaching using a team of senior news leaders, consultants and advisors who have coached more than 1,000 news organizations around the world, including more than 100 American nonprofit newsrooms. 

“We are grateful to be working alongside some of local news’ best people to support the nonprofit leaders that will bring nonprofit news to the next level,” said Blue Engine Founder and CEO Tim Griggs. “This effort will help many more talented people join the cause of rebuilding local news across America. We’re thrilled to get to work.

The Nonprofit News Business Certificate is made possible by a grant from the Knight Foundation. 

“Talent development is essential to the long-term success of nonprofit newsrooms,” said Marisa Kwiatkowski, director of journalism at Knight Foundation. “We need innovative business solutions in local news. Attracting top-tier talent and training career journalists in financial literacy will help to ensure a sustainable future for the industry.”

The program will start with a 3-month intensive “bootcamp” phase, followed by a 6-month project phase with coaching. Applications are open until March 3, 2025. 

Want to know more about the program? Join us for a virtual information session on Thursday, February 13 from 2-2:45 p.m. ET to learn more about the program and to ask any questions.