Submissions
Some common questions about contributing to EHRP
What is the Economic Hardship Reporting Project?
EHRP is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that produces compelling journalism to raise awareness about income inequality and economic unfairness in America. We help conceptualize articles, films and other kinds of reporting, edit early drafts and, if necessary, place the stories in media outlets. Many of our contributors are low-income journalists.
What kinds of stories do you support?
We commission reported op-eds, investigative reports, narrative features, podcasts, nonfiction cartoons, photo essays and documentaries about the United States. Personal essays are welcome only if they contain substantial reporting.
How much are typical grants?
Grants generally range from $500 for an op-ed to $10,000 for a documentary. We usually pay upon publication but will give advances to low-income reporters.
Do you pay travel expenses?
Often. But please keep receipts.
Do contributors need journalism experience to apply for a grant?
To be eligible for a grant, applicants must have reporting experience. EHRP’s editors expect writers to file multiple drafts of pieces if needed. All contributors should have reported pieces of this kind previously and be able to share links of reported work.
Does EHRP fact-check stories?
Many stories are fact-checked by EHRP or our co-publishers. Please annotate drafts.
Can I use anonymous sources?
All sources should be referred to by full names except in rare circumstances that must be approved by EHRP’s editors.
Can publications apply for grants?
No. Our mission is to support independent journalists.
Can teams apply?
Yes.
Another nonprofit has already given me a grant. Can I still apply to EHRP?
Yes. We believe in collaboration and partnerships.
Do I need an assignment to get a grant?
We prefer grant applicants to provide us with a letter of commitment from a large media outlet. If that proves difficult, we can potentially help find a co-publisher. The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Nation, and The Guardian, as well as many other media outlets, have co-published stories by EHRP contributors.
Do you commission stories about places outside the U.S.?
We focus on this country, but we will consider an international story that also examines inequality in America. For instance, we underwrote a short film about how Immigration and Customs Enforcement broke up one immigrant family from El Salvador.
Explain your policy on crediting EHRP.
Nonprofit journalism organizations deserve credit for their support. We ask that our grantees place stories in publications that provide such recognition. A typical credit line reads “This article is supported by the Economic Hardship Reporting Project.” Acknowledgement of our effort and support serves as our nonprofit’s lifeblood; we rely on credit lines for fundraising and raising awareness about our mission.
Is there anything else that grantees should be aware of?
We will expect you to support EHRP by
(1) suggesting other journalists we might want to enlist;
(2) helping us promote your published work through radio and other interviews; and
(3) including EHRP in your official bio.
We have more questions. Can we call EHRP’s editors?
Please use info@economichardship.org to submit further questions.
Application Process
Submit a well-researched but brief pitch of less than 500 words. Include your CV and a proposed budget. But first, please visit EconomicHardship.org to find out what kinds of stories we fund. We tend to award grants to experienced journalists, though we are open to submissions from emerging talents. Photographers should send us low-resolution images (72 dpi) along with a pitch or a query letter attached. All images should include captions in the metadata or an attached caption document. Let us know if other news outlets have covered your story and how your piece will be different.