ProPublica is pleased to announce a $200,000 Innovation Grant from the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Foundation to establish the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Visual Journalism Fellowship to honor Paul Steiger. Over two years, the grant will fund a program aimed at developing a photographer or other visual reporter to expand their investigative reporting skills, help ProPublica expand beyond traditional narrative to explain complicated investigations and ultimately engage diverse audiences who would be less likely to read long-form journalism.
Under the leadership of senior editor for visual storytelling Boyzell Hosey — whose career highlights include photography and multimedia editing for five Pulitzer Prize-winning stories — the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Visual Journalism Fellow will collaborate on ProPublica’s in-depth investigative team projects as well as pitch and execute independent visual stories. They will have the opportunity to work from either New York or one of ProPublica's regional offices on breaking investigative stories and long-form narratives.
“Throughout my career in photojournalism, I’ve been fortunate to have been exposed to a great community of wise thought leaders,” said Hosey. “I’ve made it my mission to always pay it forward by investing time and giving opportunities to aspiring journalists. I’m grateful for this opportunity from the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Foundation to make it possible to use ProPublica’s platform to influence a new generation of visual storytellers and uplift the important work of investigative reporting.”
“I could not be more delighted to receive this grant, both because of the impact it will have in advancing our journalism and because it honors Paul Steiger, the visionary editor who founded ProPublica and made all of this possible,’’ said Stephen Engelberg, ProPublica’s editor-in-chief.
“We have the greatest respect for ProPublica’s investigative reporting,” said foundation chair Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel. “The intention of our Innovation Grants program is to offer organizations the opportunity to create something new — to launch a pilot project that they would not normally undertake. We think this valuable and exciting new program reflects the enterprising tenor with which Paul Steiger founded ProPublica.”
The Diamonstein-Spielvogel Visual Journalism Fellowship is open to all, and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants should already have at least three years experience in the field and have an understanding of and interest in the current political and social issues covered by ProPublica, as well as familiarity with the current technologies and requirements for web-based photojournalist coverage. The application process for the fellowship will open in early June.
About ProPublica
ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. With a team of more than 100 dedicated journalists, ProPublica covers a range of topics, focusing on stories with the potential to spur real-world impact. Its reporting has contributed to the passage of new laws; reversals of harmful policies and practices; and accountability for leaders at local, state and national levels. Since it began publishing in 2008, ProPublica has received six Pulitzer Prizes, five Peabody Awards, five Emmy Awards and twelve George Polk Awards, among others.
About the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Foundation
The Diamonstein-Spielvogel Foundation was initiated by Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel and Ambassador Carl Spielvogel to continue and extend their long-term commitment to the common good and the public interest. With this focus, deeply rooted in inclusiveness, social equity and community service, the D-S Foundation creates and supports original projects based on results-driven and innovative strategies. The D-S Foundation funds projects that demonstrate creative promise in four priority areas: projects focused on civic leadership, public affairs and diplomacy; projects of cultural merit; original educational initiatives; and science and medicine, in support of the advancement of the field of health. For more information about the Foundation's work, and for full biographies of Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, chair, and Ambassador Carl Spielvogel, visit diamonstein-spielvogelfoundation.org.
