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Dear ,

As 2024 wraps up, we at Poynter have so much to be grateful for.

Your generous support of Poynter in the past year has been instrumental in advancing our mission to uphold journalism, truth and democracy. Thanks to you, we’ve delivered impactful training, hosted engaging events and strengthened the efforts of our diverse brands.

As we look ahead to our 50th anniversary in 2025, we reflect on recent highlights, including the 10th annual Bowtie Ball. This year’s event was our most successful yet, raising $1 million throughout the night’s celebrations. 

Additionally, we recently announced a new partnership between Poynter and Google News Initiative, which will work to boost fact-checking efforts in Canada with a self-directed course, webinars and a mentorship program with the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN).

Read on to learn more about these events and other updates from Poynter. As always, thank you for your continued support. Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to engage with us further.

Sincerely,
Deborah Read
Chief Development Officer
Adele Streissguth
Marketing Communications - Lead Writer
MAKE A GIFT
Reliving Poynter’s Bowtie Ball: A night of impact and inspiration
Robin Roberts is interviewed by Poynter President Neil Brown during the 10th annual Bowtie Ball. (Picture by Alex Smyntyna)
On Saturday, Nov.16, hundreds of guests gathered at the Hilton Tampa Downtown to celebrate one of America’s most beloved journalists, Robin Roberts. 

The result? A night of impact, inspiration and $1 million raised. 

Through the generosity of sponsors, attendees and donors, this year’s Bowtie Ball was our most successful fundraiser to date. These donations will go toward Poynter’s 2025 initiatives, which include strengthening local news sustainability, elevating diverse voices in media, and empowering journalists to tackle challenges like misinformation and the ethical integration of AI.

The evening also celebrated the resilience and impact of local journalism, with stories highlighting exceptional reporting on Hurricanes Helene and Milton and powerful investigations like those from AL.com into a small Alabama town’s abuse of power. 

We are grateful to everyone who made this memorable evening possible and look forward to achieving even more in 2025.
Poynter and Google team up to boost Canadian fact-checking
Poynter and the Google News Initiative announce a new partnership to boost fact-checking in Canada. (Graphic by Chris Kozlowski)
In a 2023 survey, 59% of Canadians reported being “very or extremely concerned” about online misinformation. To address this growing issue, Poynter’s MediaWise, the IFCN and Google News Initiative have launched an innovative program to strengthen fact-checking and media literacy across Canada.

It begins with a self-directed course on the fundamentals of fact-checking, followed by eight virtual workshops focused on key skills such as verification tools, media literacy and audience engagement.

To further support long-term development, the IFCN will mentor select Canadian fact-checking organizations, offering personalized guidance to help them create sustainable, effective operations. This mentorship program and funding opportunities for participating organizations will equip Canadian fact-checkers with the resources and strategies needed for long-term success.

This new initiative will empower Canadians to more effectively evaluate and navigate the information they encounter online, contributing to a more media-literate world.
Looking ahead: Poynter celebrates 50 years in 2025
Poynter will celebrate 50 years of operation in 2025. (Graphic by Chris Kozlowski)
Next year, Poynter will mark its 50th anniversary, and we hope you will join us in the celebrations!

We’ll continue successful programs like the Leadership Academy for Women in Media, which has empowered over 650 individuals since 2015 and will return in March 2025. We’re also introducing new initiatives, including Peak Producing: Elevate Your Newsroom, Accelerate Your Career in April 2025, designed to equip TV newsroom producers with the skills to create compelling content in the complexities of local journalism.

Additionally, we will continue advancing our work in AI ethics through new reports and events focused on promoting transparency and accountability in journalism, with key initiatives launching throughout the year. 

Lastly, we look forward to reuniting Poynter alumni and faculty at a special gathering next year to recapture what attendees of our training sessions call “Poynter magic” – the transformative experience of growth, connection and renewed passion for ethical journalism.

Stay tuned to learn more about what’s coming to Poynter in 2025!


Thank you for being the heart of the matter.

As 2024 ends, your support has been the cornerstone of our success. We hope you’ll consider a gift to help Poynter continue advancing excellence in journalism worldwide in 2025.
MAKE A GIFT
Special thanks to our dedicated donors and to the Poynter Foundation whose leadership and support advance Poynter’s excellence in journalism in support of democracies around the globe.

Poynter Foundation, Inc. 
Board of Trustees:
 
Neil Brown, President, Poynter
Brian Bracco, Retired, Former VP, Scripps Media & VP Hearst Television
Lari Johnson, President, Lari Johnson Public Relations
Jessi Navarro, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Poynter
Frank J. ‘Sandy’ Rief, Attorney, Longhouse Richards Olsen & Rief LLLP
Brenda Rosado, Nonprofit Controller, Poynter
Mark Sena, President, Mars Communications, Inc.
Brian Tierney, CEO, Brian Communication 
 
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