Good Words Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on journalism and news organizations that produce public-interest reporting and serve underserved communities. They fund a mix of national investigative outlets and smaller/local newsrooms, with explicit emphasis on coverage that advances civic accountability and amplifies Black and other underrepresented communities.
Good Words Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeated support for independent journalism that is meant to inform the public and serve communities that are often underrepresented in media coverage. The clearest signal is its multi-year backing of Pro Publica, which received $200,000 in both 2023 and 2024 for general purpose support. That pattern sits alongside substantial gifts to newsroom organizations such as The 19th News, Capital B News Inc, Nebraska Journalism Trust, and Spotlight PA, showing a portfolio that mixes national investigative work with place-based reporting. The foundation’s grantmaking also reaches beyond one type of outlet. It has supported newsroom sustainability, reporting for Black communities, and journalism intended to help people understand how America works. Recent awards include support for Flatwater Free Press through Nebraska Journalism Trust, as well as general support for Capital B News Inc and The 19th News. The result is a grantmaker that appears to favor public-interest journalism organizations with a clear civic role, while still funding both large national platforms and smaller regional newsrooms.
A central theme in Good Words Foundation’s portfolio is independent nonpartisan reporting. In 2025, it gave $100,000 to Spotlight PA for support independent nonpartisan reporting, and in 2024 it gave $100,000 to Center for Public Integrity for general support. Those awards point to a strong interest in watchdog journalism and civic accountability. The foundation also supports reporting for Black communities. Capital B News Inc received $125,000 in 2025 for support reporting for Black communities, after earlier grants of $100,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2023. Another recurring area is underserved communities: The 19th News received $125,000 in 2025 for support empowerment of underserved communities, after a $100,000 general-purpose grant in 2023 and another $100,000 general-purpose grant in 2024. Local newsroom support appears as well. Nebraska Journalism Trust received $150,000 in 2025 to support Flatwater Free Press, following a $100,000 general-support grant in 2024.
Good Words Foundation’s typical grant size is $5,012 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent giving includes both repeat $100,000 awards and larger $125,000 to $200,000 grants, suggesting a mix of standard support and larger commitments for selected partners. The pattern is recurring rather than one-off for several recipients. Pro Publica, The 19th News, Capital B News Inc, Nebraska Journalism Trust, and University of Virginia each appear more than once across the recent grants list. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$945K
$18.5M
$827K
$1.1M
Most grants fall between $5K and $100K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$100K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of journalism organizations; a mix of repeat funding to flagship investigative outlets and targeted support for regional/community news projects.
Notable grantees: ProPublica, The 19th News, Capital B News, Nebraska Journalism Trust (Flatwater Free Press)
Good Words Foundation gives nationally, with all recent grants in the United States. New York is the top state by grant count, and 30% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state of DC. Recipient locations include New York, NY; Omaha, NE; Austin, TX; Harrisburg, PA; and Philadelphia, PA. The list also includes recipients in Charlottesville, VA and Washington, DC, showing a broad U.S. distribution rather than a single-region pattern.
Its recent grants center on journalism and news organizations, especially independent nonpartisan reporting, reporting for Black communities, and coverage aimed at underserved communities. The foundation also makes grants tied to civic accountability, newsroom sustainability, and helping people understand how America works.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Pro Publica, The 19th News, Capital B News Inc, Nebraska Journalism Trust, and University of Virginia. That pattern suggests the foundation uses recurring support for some partners rather than only one-time awards.
The grant-size distribution centers at $5,012 for the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include $150,000 and $200,000 grants, indicating that larger gifts are part of the portfolio.
The foundation gives nationally, but New York is the top state by grant count. Recipients are also located in Washington, DC, Omaha, NE, Austin, TX, Harrisburg, PA, Philadelphia, PA, and Charlottesville, VA.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEBRASKA JOURNALISM TRUST | OMAHA, NE | $150,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FLATWATER FREE PRESS |
| THE 19TH NEWS | AUSTIN, TX | $125,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EMPOWERMENT OF UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES |
| CAPITAL B NEWS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT REPORTING FOR BLACK COMMUNITIES |
| CIVIC NEWS COMPANY | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW AMERICA WORKS |
| SPOTLIGHT PA | HARRISBURG, PA | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT INDEPENDENT NONPARTISAN REPORTING |
| MADRID EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION | MADRID, IA | $75,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT MADRID COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| GEORGETOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | WASHINGTON, DC | $60,000 | 2025 | MINISTRY SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $50,000 | 2025 | MCINTIRE FOUNDATION TO BENEFIT SMART WOMEN |
| RESOLVE PHILLY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT UNBIASED REPORTING IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES |
| AMALGAMATED FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TRANSGENDER FREEDOM ALLIANCE |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION INC | NEW YORK CITY, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT PROTECTION OF CIVIL LIBERTIES |
| GEORGETOWN MINISTRY CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SOLUTIONS FOR HOMELESS |
| WOLF TRAP FOUNDATION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | VIENNA, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMS |
| EDMUND BURKE SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| ACTBLUE CIVICS INC | BOSTON, MA | $10,000 | 2025 | EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY |
| NETWORK FOR GOOD | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS VIA DIGITAL PLATFORMS |
| TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | WXPN PUBLIC RADIO |
| SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE |
| AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | WAMU PUBLIC RADIO |
| PRO PUBLICA | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE 19TH NEWS | AUSTIN, TX | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CIVIC NEWS COMPANY | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEBRASKA JOURNALISM TRUST | OMAHA, NE | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAPITAL B NEWS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEGRITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SPOTLIGHT PA GENERAL ACCOUNT | HARRISBURG, PA | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CLUB OF MADRID FOUNDATION | NORWOOD, MA | $75,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMALGAMATED FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| RESOLVE PHILLY | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GEORGETOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAMP HARBOR VIEW FOUNDATION INC | BOSTON, MA | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE HONORABLE TINA BROZMAN FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| EDMUND BURKE SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HIGH FIVES FOUNDATION | TRUCKEE, CA | $5,250 | 2024 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| WAMU AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PUBLIC RADIO | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,012 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PRO PUBLICA | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CHALKBEAT | BROOKLYN, NY | $100,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEGRITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAPITAL B NEWS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE 19TH NEWS | AUSTIN, TX | $100,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CLUB OF MADRID FOUNDATION | NORWOOD, MA | $75,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FIFTH AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| THE TREVOR PROJECT INC | WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| NEBRASKA JOURNALISM TRUST | OMAHA, NE | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| CHRIST HOUSE | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEBRASKA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | LINCOLN, NE | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL PURPOSE |
| SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
CIVIC NEWS COMPANY
$100,000HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW AMERICA WORKS
MADRID EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION
SUPPORT MADRID COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
GEORGETOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$60,000MINISTRY SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
$50,000MCINTIRE FOUNDATION TO BENEFIT SMART WOMEN
ACTBLUE CIVICS INC
$10,000EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY
NETWORK FOR GOOD
$10,000SUPPORT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS VIA DIGITAL PLATFORMS
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE
CIVIC NEWS COMPANY
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CLUB OF MADRID FOUNDATION
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GEORGETOWN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CAMP HARBOR VIEW FOUNDATION INC
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHALKBEAT
$100,000GENERAL PURPOSE
CLUB OF MADRID FOUNDATION
$75,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FIFTH AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
$50,000GENERAL PURPOSE