The Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism, publisher of the online news organization, IowaWatch.org, received a $4,400 grant Friday from the Community Foundation of Johnson County.
The Iowa Center was one of 46 local, non-profit organizations receiving checks totaling more than $100,000 during the Foundation’s annual luncheon at the Sheraton Hotel.
“We’re forever appreciative of the Foundation’s grant to IowaWatch,” said David Schwartz, president of the Center’s board of directors. “You will see the results of their generosity and foresight in the execution of our mission to educate and inform the people of Johnson County and all of Iowa.”
The Iowa Center was incorporated in February and began publishing on IowaWatch.org in late May. It produces and promotes explanatory and investigative journalism in Johnson County and Iowa and teaches journalism students how to develop thorough, accurate and well-written multi-media projects covering government, health, the environment and other topics vital to the public interest. Using student reporters, an all-volunteer staff and mostly local contributors, IowaWatch distributes its content for free and collaborates with other non-profits and for-profit news organizations on journalistic projects.
The Community Foundation of Johnson County was founded ten years ago with the commitment to “build a stronger community through philanthropy,” according to its annual report. It has granted more $3.4 million to community organizations and encouraged almost $420,000 in in-kind services from supporters.
Charities receiving grants from the Foundation Friday included such programs as dental health for children, advocacy for children of divorced parents, arts and culture activities, youth mentoring services and crime prevention efforts.
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