Nov. 14, 2008

IRE selected for $50,000 Challenge Fund for Journalism V Grant

Investigative Reporters and Editors has received a $50,000 Challenge Fund for Journalism V (CFJ) grant. The program will help IRE improve our ability to serve our members and community and continue development of our online services.

The challenge grant runs through August 2009 and requires that IRE raise $75,000 in donations from new individual donors, small businesses and family foundations. The program is sponsored by the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the McCormick Foundation.

This is the second grant that IRE has received under the CFJ program; IRE successfully completed a $200,000 match requirement in 2006, which garnered a $100,000 grant.

In August, as part of CFJ, IRE executive director Mark Horvit and development officer Jennifer Erickson traveled to Chicago for a full day of fundraising seminars conducted by TCC Group consultants and foundation leaders. They also met with individual consultants and will be able to check in with them monthly to gauge program success and evaluate plans.

"We are thrilled to have been chosen to take part in the program," Horvit said. "So many people in communities throughout the country benefit from journalists who can dig deeper into important issues, and IRE gives them the tools to do so. We hope that individuals who understand the importance of watchdog and investigative journalism will support IRE and help us make our match."

To make a donation, or to learn more about the program, contact Jennifer Erickson at (573) 884-2222 or jennifer@ire.org, or visit IRE's Web site. Or you can send a check payable to "IRE" to: IRE, Missouri School of Journalism, 141 Neff Annex, Columbia, MO 65211.

Order the Investigative Reporter's Handbook, 5th ed.

The fifth edition of "The Investigative Reporter's Handbook" by Brant Houston and Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc. is now available to order from the IRE Bookstore. Order your copy online or call the IRE Resource Center (573-882-3364). $48 for IRE members; $58 for non-members

"The Investigative Reporter's Handbook" is the best-selling classroom and newsroom classic. Useful as a textbook in advanced journalism courses and as a reference for professional journalists, this book shows students how to use fundamental news reporting and writing skills like gathering sources, tracking information, and interviewing to pursue investigative stories in a variety of beats &emdash; from the government and education to healthcare, the environment and real estate.

New to the 5th edition :

• An improved reference. To help students locate essential information faster, lists of databases, documents, and other sources are now located in comprehensive end of- chapter bibliographies ("Resources for Reporters") and critical reporting tips and procedures are bulleted in the text.
• A better introduction that helps students put techniques into practice. A new Introduction discusses the professional and public role of investigative reporting and defines terms used throughout the book. Skills chapters are now grouped together up front, helping students to further develop their news reporting and writing skills before moving onto specific types of investigations, and a new "Check It Out" feature guides students in identifying and researching promising stories.
• Updated with the latest trends and covering even more beats. There's more on online and broadcast news, prying information from gatekeepers, and using electronic databases. The fifth edition also offers new coverage on investigating the military, religious organizations, sports, entertainment, and the environment.

---

IRE Member Updates

Holiday giving ideas for journalists:
IRE Gift Memberships

Looking for a gift for that hard-working colleague, intern or employee? This is the perfect way to support the future of journalism.

Give a gift that gives all year long — a membership to IRE!

To acknowledge your gift, a special holiday card will be sent to the recipient advising them of the membership and stating that the holiday gift came from you.

Purchase more than one gift membership and SAVE:

• 1- $60
• 2- $110
• 3- $160
• 4- $210
• Student memberships are $25 each

Purchase your gift(s) using our secure online order form. You can purchase up to 4 memberships with one order.

All membership applications are subject to IRE approval and the provisions of IRE's bylaws. Refunds will be given for applicants who do not qualify for membership. See qualifications for IRE Membership categories

Questions? Contact Membership Coordinator John Green,

---