'In These Times' Launches the Leonard C. Goodman Institute for Investigative Reporting

In These Times, a national, independent progressive magazine, is excited to announce the launch of the Leonard C. Goodman Institute for Investigative Reporting, an initiative that will dramatically expand the number and depth of investigative reports published in In These Times and give reporters the resources they need to pursue the stories that need to be told.

Supported by a generous grant from Chicago attorney Leonard C. Goodman, the Institute will provide financial and editorial support to journalists undertaking major investigative reporting projects that align with In These Times’ mission of advancing democracy and economic justice, informing movements for a more humane world, and providing an accessible forum for debate about the policies that shape our future.

Since its founding in 1976, In These Times has been an unapologetically progressive and independent voice in a media that is increasingly dominated by corporate interests. Inspired by Progressive Era muckrakers such as Upton Sinclair, Ida B. Wells and Lincoln Steffans—who helped usher in reforms like women’s suffrage, an eight-hour workday and an end to child labor—In These Times has remained committed to its founding belief that, working together in a democracy, a crusading press and an informed public can create change.

“Journalism isn't about simply putting a microphone in the face of someone in power,” says Goodman. “It's become apparent that it’s often the journalists closest to power who get the story the most wrong. This fund is intended to support independent journalists willing to dig for the real story.”

As newsroom budgets shrink and media becomes increasingly conglomerated, it’s becoming more and more difficult for journalists to support themselves through reporting—especially those journalists interested in pursuing stories that serve the public interest, not corporate interests. The Leonard C. Goodman Institute for Investigative Reporting was established in recognition of this and of the tremendous amount of time and labor that goes into investigative reporting. In These Times is committed to compensating writers fairly for their work. Journalists whose investigative proposals are accepted by the Institute will thus receive both a competitive per-word rate for their work and compensation for travel and other expenses incurred during reporting. All stories funded by the Institute will be published in In These Times and on the magazine’s website, InTheseTimes.com. 

Though based in Chicago, In These Times is a national publication and will consider stories that are local, national, or international in scope. Writers based outside the U.S. are encouraged to apply.

A call for pitches
The Leonard C. Goodman Institute for Investigative Reporting invites journalists to submit story proposals for consideration for funding by the Institute and subsequent publication in In These Times.

Pitches should be sent by FEBRUARY 15, 2014 to In These Times Assistant Editor Nyki Salinas-Duda (nyki@inthesetimes.com) with the subject line “Submission.” Please include:       

• A detailed story pitch, including background on the extent to which the story has already been covered in the press, and the story’s relevance to In These Times’ mission       
• A plan for research and interviews       
• A proposed timeline for your reporting       
• An outline of any anticipated reporting expenses       
• A resume and 3-5 clips or links to your previous work

Please visit InTheseTimes.com/investigative for more information. Connect with us on Facebook or Twitter at @inthesetimesmag, and follow the hash tag #IIR14 for all the latest on the Institute.