The A-Mark Foundation announced a transformative $10 million gift from its founder and board member, Steven C. Markoff, to further its mission of supporting and promoting investigative journalism by recognizing excellence in reporting and investing in the next generation of investigative journalists. The gift, disclosed in a press release on January 15, 2025, positions the foundation to significantly expand its funding for investigative journalism in 2026, building on nearly $1 million in grants already disbursed in 2025.
The foundation, based in Santa Monica, California, focuses on supporting investigative reporting through grants to media organizations and journalists. The new donation from Markoff, who founded the A-Mark Foundation, underscores a commitment to sustaining high-quality journalism that holds power accountable. According to the announcement, the funds will allow the foundation to broaden its reach and increase the scale of its investments in investigative projects.
Investigative journalism has faced financial challenges in recent years, with many newsrooms cutting back on in-depth reporting due to declining revenues. The A-Mark Foundation's increased funding aims to counteract this trend by providing resources for journalists to pursue complex stories that require time and resources. The foundation's grants have supported a range of projects, from local accountability reporting to national investigations.
Markoff's gift is one of the larger private donations specifically earmarked for investigative journalism in recent years. The foundation plans to announce new grant recipients and initiatives later in 2026, leveraging the additional capital to support emerging journalists and innovative reporting methods. The foundation's work aligns with broader efforts to bolster democratic discourse through transparency and fact-based reporting.
For more information about the A-Mark Foundation and its grant programs, visit their website at https://www.amarkfoundation.org. The full announcement, including downloadable images and bios, is available through the press release distributed by Reportable, Inc. at https://reportable.com.
