Congratulations to the recipients of the Focus Grant. Grantees are added on a rolling basis.

Here are the projects that have been selected, past and present.

July 2023 – Defending the Fourth Estate
As part of our yearly funding for the Fourth Estate, these crucial non-profit organizations are recipients of our Focus Fund. Below are the two organizations receiving grants.  
Grant Amount: $45,000

 

August 2022 – The Grab
We are delighted to increase our support of The Grab – the feature documentary by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting and director Gabriela Cowperthwaite. The world is struggling to quench the thirst and hunger of a growing population, and it’s only getting worse…
Awarded: $25,000

July 2022 – Defending the Fourth Estate
This year, we have once again chosen these important non-profit organizations that strive to contribute to civics and freedom of press as recipients of our Focus Fund. Below are the two organizations receiving grants.  
Grant Amount: $45,000

 

March 2022 – Humanitarian Aid: Emergency Response for Ukraine
In light of the extreme situation in Ukraine, we are offering support to three charity operations providing Emergency Response action on the ground. With the brutal Russian invasion, Ukraine is facing a horrendous, catastrophic emergency. Men, women and children are suffering and fleeing their homes as their families are torn apart. These chosen non-profits are responding by providing critical humanitarian war relief and recovery. 
Grant Amount: $10,000

July 2021 – Defending the Fourth Estate
Now, more than ever, we are committed to strengthening public knowledge and transparency. We have thus chosen to grant $65,000 to these important non-profit organizations that strive to contribute to civics and freedom of press. We recognize the immense value of investigative journalism and its essential role in maintaining our democracy. Below are the organizations receiving grants.  
Grant Amount: $65,000

April 2021 – The Grab
The world is struggling to quench the thirst and hunger of a growing population, and it’s only getting worse. This feature documentary by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting and director Gabriela Cowperthwaite explores these pressing issues around the world. 
Awarded: $100,000

February 2021 & August 2022 – Untitled Investigative Series Project
We are delighted to support another topical investigative project by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting. The series is being developed by Amanda Pike and Ted Bourne as one of the executive producers. Currently in development.
Awarded: $65,000

January 2021 – The Story of Recycling
Due to the sensitivity of this topic we are withholding further details on this project until a later date. Currently in production. Directed by: Carsten Stormer and Tom Costello.
Awarded: $25,000

June 2020 – Defending the Fourth Estate
To bolster the commitment to one of our key programs of interest, Civics, we have granted $50,000 to several non-profit organizations that strive to strengthen public knowledge and transparency. We recognize the immense value of investigative journalism and its essential role in maintaining our democracy. Below are the organizations receiving grants.  
Grant Amount: $50,000

December 2019 – The Grab
The world is struggling to quench the thirst and hunger of a growing population, and it’s only getting worse. This feature documentary by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting and director Gabriela Cowperthwaite explores these pressing issues around the world.
Awarded: $25,000

December 2019 – Victim/Suspect
Investigative journalist Rae de Leon travels nationwide to uncover a shocking pattern: Young women tell the police they’ve been sexually assaulted, but instead of finding justice, they’re charged with the crime of making a false report, arrested, and even imprisoned by the system they believed would protect them. Director: Nancy Schwartzman. Producers: Motto Pictures and Center for Investigative Reporting Studios. A Netflix original production.
Awarded: $20,000

June 2019 – Investigative Journalism
We are thrilled to have partnered once again with ProPublica in support of their investigative journalism efforts as they strive to strengthen transparency in our democracy.
Awarded: $10,000

February 2019 – Games Without Frontiers
Cyberspace is a battlefield. Anonymous accounts and fake news on social media are the modern weapons of choice. Games Without Frontiers reveals how Facebook in particular has stoked anger and destabilized societies wherever it’s gone. Currently in production. Director: Sankha Guha. 
Awarded: $10,000

December 2018 – When Fracking Companies Own the Gas Beneath Your Land
Natural gas companies have cut down forests and paved over farms on West Virginia private lands, calling it “reasonably necessary” in order to access subsurface gas they own the rights to. We are thrilled to have partnered with ProPublica in partnership with the Charleston Gazette-Mail as they chronicle the legal battles. The documentary is now airing on Propublica’s website. 
Awarded: $15,000

August 2018 – The Coming Digital Age Crisis
The Coming Digital Age Crisis is an investigative film unearthing unethical and abusive practices online. Due to the sensitivity of this topic we are withholding further details on this project until a later date. Produced by The Center for Investigative Journalism (Reveal News). 
Awarded: $10,000

July 2018 – Ark Food
Ark Food is an exploration of the social, cultural and historical importance of indigenous plant foods as a sustainable food solution in the human food chain for future generations. Currently in production. Director: Charles J. Fourie.
Awarded: $10,000

2018 – The (Un)Scientific Method
In 2017, CIR launched The (Un)Scientific Method, an investigative reporting beat focused on publishing investigative reports exposing conflicts between science and government during a time of significant political upheaval in Washington, D.C. The focus of this work is on uncovering new stories that are relevant to the science and technology ecosystem and the powerful way in which Washington influences scientific progress. In particular, they have sought to examine the politicization of scientific decision making at the federal level, the impact of anti-science appointees to the cabinet and federal agencies, and conflicts of interest that inhibit scientific innovation, research and regulation that would be in the public’s best interest.
Grant Amount: $5,000