About The Foundation
Missouri Press Foundation is a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation formed in 1984, by the Missouri Press Association. Our mission is to honor the past, protect the present, and build the future of journalism in general and Missouri newspapers in particular as a vibrant force in a democratic society.
Activities
The Foundation conducts the annual Missouri Better Newspaper Contest to reward and encourage excellence in newspaper journalism. It operates a museum and newspaper office (circa 1850) for the general public at Arrow Rock, MO. Seminars, workshops and other educational opportunities are held on various phases of newspaper operations to improve the skills of journalists. The Foundation also awards grants, awards and donations to deserving journalism students, teachers and institutions teaching journalism.
In 2021, Missouri Press Foundation, in partnership with the University of Missouri School of Journalism and the Reynolds Journalism Institute, announced the creation of the all-new Rural Missouri Newspaper Scholarship.
The need-based award provides qualifying students attending the Missouri School of Journalism with up to $40,000 over four years. Students chosen for the program must be pursuing a degree in journalism or strategic communication, and upon graduation students receiving the scholarship will be expected to work for a rural Missouri newspaper for at least two years.
The Missouri Press Foundation (MPF) and the Missouri School of Journalism are eager to attract Missouri high school graduates to the School of Journalism with the goals of preparing them to take leadership roles at rural Missouri newspapers and helping those students finance college degrees in journalism. This scholarship program is intended to attract such candidates and assist publishers with finding qualified candidates.
Funding
Missouri Press Foundation is supported by private contributions and memberships. Contributions come from individuals, corporations, foundations and others, both inside and outside the journalism fraternity. All donations are 100 percent deductible. The Foundation is recognized by the state and federal governments as a tax-exempt, non-profit corporation. Contact the Missouri Press Association for further information. Click here to download the Foundation Builders Form.
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