Replay: Negotiate Like a Pro
Plus: Ways to support journalists rebuilding their lives after the LA wildfires.
The past weeks have been heavy. Chances are that some of us have been reporting on the wildfires, others receiving requests to amplify stories of victims, and some may even be directly impacted – losing family homes, prized possessions, everyday essentials, local hangout spots, or irreplaceable memories – or had their incomes disrupted due to evacuations. Whatever the circumstances, the IIJ team extends our sincere thoughts and solidarity.
While there are major disaster relief funds for those in need, as an organization for independent journalists we want to shout out lesser-known GoFundMe campaigns for fellow journalists.
Sometimes when the problem feels so huge and overwhelming, all we can do is focus on simple, actionable solutions. If donating isn’t an option, sharing with your network is equally valuable.
GoFundMe Campaigns Supporting Journalists
Nataly Tavidian and her family are recovering after a devastating fire. Nataly, a compassionate reporter for KNX News, has been tirelessly covering the fires across Los Angeles, sharing stories of heartbreak and resilience.
Support Los Angeles Journalists Impacted by LA Wildfires
Organized by Community Unity, this fund supports local journalists and photojournalists who remain dedicated to keeping the community informed during these times.
Amir Nikravan and Mikey O'Connell recover from Eaton Fire
This fund supports artist Amir Nikravan and journalist Mikey O'Connell, who lost their apartment in the Eaton Fire.
Muffy, Gregory, and their son Hunter: Fire Relief Fund
This fund was set up to support Muffy Bolding, Gregory Babior, and their son Hunter, a lead writer and producer at That Hashtag Show. Their entire house burned to the ground in the Eaton fire.
Help Beloved Media Personality Devastated by Palisades Fire
Beloved public radio personality and long-time film journalist Wade Major, lost the house he was born into, where he has been raising his own family, to the Palisades Fire.
Help the Compte Family Rebuild After the Palisades Fire
Lucy Sherriff, a climate journalist, and her family lost everything to the fires. Despite her loss, Lucy continues reporting on the devastation in her community. The family is expecting a baby in April and is uncertain about where they will live. There is an additional fundraiser here.
Thanks,
-The IIJ team
P.S. For qualified writers in the LA fire zone, our friends at the American Society of Journalists and Authors will waive their normal banking and tax record requirements to apply for the Writers Emergency Assistance. For more information click here.
ICYMI: Negotiate Like a Rockstar
Last week, we teamed up with the National Writers Union’s Freelance Solidarity Project for a workshop on rates.
Freelancing can be a solitary –and sometimes lonely –job. That’s why we wanted to bring our community together and celebrate the simple act of learning from one another! Journalists shared their stories of rate negotiation victories and swapped thoughts on adjusting rates based on client demands, passion projects, or even work for a friend. What’s your take on tweaking rates based on situations? Share your thoughts with us on BlueSky or LinkedIn—we love hearing from you!
Be a Part of this Year’s Conference!
We’re seeking volunteers to fill vital roles as part of our upcoming conference on Feb 27-28:
Programming Committee (Help IIJ staff plan our annual 2025 conference)
Chat Producer (Monitor the chat during conference sessions, field questions, and ensure smooth viewer engagement)
Panel Recap Writer (Attend live panels, take notes, and recap the event)
Social Media Marketing Support (just like it sounds!)
If you have organization, writing, people management, or quick thinking skills, we’d love to meet you! Please share your info using this form.
Your conference registration is on us if you volunteer for at least three sessions. You’ll receive training to help you ace your role.
Pitch & Opportunities
⚖️ Protect Yourself From Legal Threats with FSP
The National Writers Union’s Freelance Solidarity Project is partnering with Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press and the Committee to Protect Journalists to offer a free webinar next week on Jan 28 with practical guidance for freelance journalists. Come prepared with questions about the business side of things (like contracts and insurance) as well as the reporting side (retaliatory lawsuits, reporting in high-stress situations). This webinar is part of a three-part training called “Protecting Journalists, Protecting Journalism,” and later sessions will cover digital and physical safety for freelancers. RSVP for the legal webinar here.
🌎 Cultural Survival’s Indigenous Community Media Fund
Groups of Indigenous journalists can apply for a grant of up to $8000 for projects to strengthen Indigenous community media. This opportunity is especially geared towards young journalists and women; proposals for projects that capture audio/video stories about Indigenous history are encouraged: “Content in Indigenous languages will be highly valued.” Proposed projects should be completed within 6 to 10 months, and the application deadline is January 26. Click here for more information.
📝 The Dart Awards for Journalism and Trauma
The Dart Center awards $5,000 to two independent and staff producers that focus on the impact of violence, crime, disaster and other traumatic events on individuals, families and communities. All entries must have been originally published, aired or broadcast by news outlets based in North America or U.S. territories. The entry fee is $50 for news organizations and $25 for independents, but applicants in need can apply for a fee waiver. The deadline to apply is January 28, 5pm ET. Click here for more information.
📣 The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Book and Journalism Awards
This international award honors a free and fair press and celebrates media professionals whose work explores issues of human rights, social justice, and the power of individual action. Categories include: radio; nontraditional media; and criminal justice. Winners will receive $1000. The deadline is January 31.
🔎 TRACE Prize for Investigative Reporting
The TRACE Prize recognizes journalism that uncovers business-related bribery and financial crime. There will be two winners, who will each receive a cash prize of $10,000, and up to two honourable mentions, who each receive $1000. Applications are to be submitted here before January 31.
🔎 The Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ)
The Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) regularly offers journalists grants of up to $10,000 “to produce high-quality, unbiased, nonpartisan investigative stories that have an impact.” All stories must be published in English in a U.S.-based media outlet, and the next deadline is January 27.
🏕️ Campside Media looking for fact checkers
Campside Media’s fact-checker pool is in need of experienced fact-checkers to work on a show contract basis. 💰 Rates vary depending on the show but tend to be around $45-55 an hour or a project rate. If you have experience fact-checking narrative long-form podcasts, send your resume to Ashley@campsidemedia.com.
🍷 Job Opportunity: FOOD & WINE
Starlight Williams, National Geographic's Digital Editor, is inviting niche pitches to fill the publication’s winter/spring calendar. The pitches should be smart (not academic), interesting (beyond personal interest), and relevant to a global audience. Stories should be between 800-1000 words. For pitch suggestions click here and Starlight’s preferred format is listed here. Email starlight.williams@natgeo.com.
🎮 Pitch Opportunity: Restart
Restart is looking for pitches of articles related to the video game Monster Hunter Wilds. 💰The average rate is $200. Send pitches to hello@restart.run.
🤒 Pitch Opportunity: The Sick Times
The Sick Times is accepting pitches for reported features and personal essays on Long COVID treatment options, diseases and conditions commonly diagnosed alongside Long COVID, and responses to or context about ableist/anti-health policies. 💰Pay rates are $400 for essays and $1,300 for news features. Send pitches to editors@thesicktimes.org.
Interesting Reads
📖 Recommended by a member of the IIJ community, The Chicago Guide to Fact-Checking by science journalist Brooke Borel is a practical how-to guide blended with history, philosophy, and an overview of the current media and fact-checking landscape. “If journalism is a cornerstone of democracy,” Borel says, “then fact-checking is its building inspector.”
📖 This New York Times article brings together luminaries from various fields to answer a fundamental question: Why do we tell stories? The responses include storytelling being a way to be seen, stories as a life inheritance that unfold to “leave us with a wealth of collective experiences,” plus this interesting comparison between art and science: “What makes a good writer — or any other sort of artist — is the same thing that makes a good scientist: the ability to perceive patterns within what looks like chaos.”
📖 Court reporting is a skilled branch of journalism, dedicated to bringing the public detailed accounts of court cases. However, it is on the decline, particularly in places like the U.K., where it is tied to the strength of the regional news media sector. As The Conversation reports, this decline matters because “Global news stories start small. And it is coverage of small local news stories gathering momentum that blows them up into high profile cases and forces societal discussion and change.”
Calendar
🗓️ NEXT WEEK Tues Jan. 28 - Catch the next episode of The Freelance Journalism Podcast! IIJ Founder Katherine Reynolds Lewis interviews marketing expert Lex Roman about how journalists can make money starting their own newsletters.
🗓️ Thursday and Friday, Feb. 27-28 - The IIJ Annual Freelance Conference. Time is running out to take advantage of early bird pricing! For just $59, receive access to two full days of live, online learning and networking with some of the best in the journalism field – including our keynote speaker Celeste Headlee. Register here!
🗓 SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, July 12 at 8:30 AM CT - The IIJ is hosting a full-day Freelance Business Workshop at the 2025 National Association of Hispanic Journalists Conference and Expo in Chicago! Early bird registration for NAHJ is now open.
ICYMI 👀
Replay our recent webinars:
▶️ Negotiate Like a Rockstar with IIJ and FSP (Jan. 2025)
▶️ How to Find Journalism-Adjacent Freelance Work (Dec. 2024)
▶️ The Impact of Layoffs & How to Weather Them (Nov. 2024)
▶️ Tools to Boost Your Reporting & Revenue (Oct. 2024)
▶️ How to Pitch Business & Tech Stories (Sept. 2024)
▶️ Insurance for Freelancers (March 2024)
🎧 There’s more where that came from on the Freelance Journalism Podcast, our monthly show about the art and business of freelance journalism. Subscribe and leave a review!