WASHINGTON, DC — The Online News Association, the world’s largest organization of digital journalists, today announced its seventh year of free digital media training, as well as continued cash awards to support journalistic excellence, thanks to a renewed grant from the Gannett Foundation.
The $102,500 in support provides $50,000 to enable ONA to continue one of its most popular programs, ONACamp, which so far has visited nearly 10,000 journalists in communities throughout the United States. The camps bring training on emerging tools and technology and using design thinking to find solutions to complex media issues.
ONACamp workshops are tailored specifically to the needs of independent, community, non-profit and major media journalists, bloggers and entrepreneurs. Trainers include leaders in their fields, covering the latest in mobile, data, metrics, development, blogging, legal and business, networking strategies, web tools and social media.
Another $27,500 supports the 2015 Online Journalism Awards, including three General Excellence Awards, the Gannett Foundation Award for Technical Innovation in the Service of Digital Journalism and three Al Neuharth Innovation in Investigative Journalism Awards. Winners for this year’s awards will be announced at the OJA Banquet, Sept. 26.
The remaining $25,000 supports the 2015 Online News Association Conference, Sept. 24-26 in Los Angeles.
“The Gannett Foundation is pleased to continue supporting ONA and the great work it does to advance journalism in the digital space,” said Virgil Smith, Vice President of Diversity at Gannett.
“We’re deeply grateful to the Gannett Foundation for their long-term partnership and support, which allows us not only to continue to train journalists where they live but also highlight their excellent work,” said ONA Executive Director Jane McDonnell. “It’s one of the most important — and rewarding — things we do.”
About ONA
The Online News Association is the world’s largest association of digital journalists. ONA’s mission is to inspire innovation and excellence among journalists to better serve the public. The membership includes news writers, producers, designers, editors, bloggers, developers, photographers, educators, students and others who produce news for and support digital delivery systems. ONA also hosts the annual Online News Association conference and administers the Online Journalism Awards.
About The Gannett Foundation
The Gannett Foundation is a corporate foundation sponsored by Gannett Co., Inc. whose mission is to invest in the future of the communities in which Gannett does business, and in the future of our industry. It supports projects that take a creative approach to fundamental issues such as education and neighborhood improvement, economic development, youth development, community problem-solving, assistance to disadvantaged people, environmental conservation and cultural enrichment.