Recruit and help journalism prospects enter the industry: INF matching funds program:

One of the missions of the Iowa Newspaper Association is to recruit and help younger people enter in the industry as the next generation of journalism prospers.

Although there are many ways to help young people get into journalism, the Iowa Newspaper Association has a program to help both students and newspapers all across Iowa: the Newspaper Matching Funds Program.

Starting in 2014, the Newspaper Matching Funds Program has provided financial assistance of $1,000 to eight different newspapers across Iowa to fund an intern. By providing internships to young people, they not only gain field experience but also walk away with memories and lessons they will carry for the rest of their lives.

“My time at The N’West Iowa REVIEW has been the most valuable summer of my life,” former intern Bri Brands states, “I began the summer returning from a semester abroad and unsure of how I was going to make Iowa feel like home again, especially in northwest Iowa, but working here taught me the value of finding excitement in everything.”

In order to qualify for the program, newspapers must apply for the program and be selected by Iowa Newspaper Association board members. Newspapers can use the $1,000 to find, interview, and hire an intern of their choosing. Interns must work a minimum of 240 hours throughout the year, be paid at least minimum wage, and must gain real-world experience working for a newspaper. Funds can be spread across multiple interns as needed.

If your newspaper would like to be considered for the 2026 Iowa Newspaper Foundation Internship Matching Funds Program, please complete the application form and return to Jana Shepherd, INF Program Director, no later than November 1, 2024. You can email the form to Jana at jshepherd@inanews.com.