SEJ Funding Sources

SEJ programs and operations are funded by foundation grants and media company contributions, earned income, university sponsorship of the annual conference, occasional regional events, and individual donors to the Society of Environmental Journalists.

SEJ does not seek or accept gifts or grants from non-media corporations, government agencies or environmental groups. The vast majority of foundation grants have been for general support; grants for specific projects have always been based on proposals that originated with SEJ, not the funder. Sources of earned income for SEJ include conference registration fees, conference exhibitor and advertisement fees, membership dues, mail list rental, and subscription fees. A chart of SEJ's 2002 revenue sources by percentage and income source is available in PDF (requires free Adobe Reader ®), or MSWord format.

You can support SEJ in its mission to improve the quality, accuracy and visibility of environmental journalism by making a tax-deductible contribution to SEJ's 21st Century Fund, a special endowment fund to safeguard SEJ's future. Under SEJ's financial policies (see endowment policy section), interest, dividends and/or realized capital gains generated by the 21st Century Fund may be used to support SEJ programs, with the remainder invested for capital appreciation.

At its January 24, 2004, meeting in St. Petersburg, Florida (see board meetings, members only, click on "Summaries of past SEJ board meetings" at bottom), the SEJ board approved a resolution adopting a new set of financial policies for the 21st Century Fund endowment. The vote was the last major step in authorizing and launching a major 21st Century Fund endowment drive focusing on individual donors. The board also appointed an Endowment Committee to direct the campaign. The action capped a four-year board discussion and 18 months of counsultation with SEJ members, its Advisory Board, an independent ethics advisor and other journalism leaders. Members with questions, suggestions or other comments about this initiative should contact Endowment Committee Co-Chairs Peter Thomson or Carolyn Whetzel, or SEJ President Christy George.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, SEJ files an annual Form 990 with the Internal Revenue Service. The 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 forms are available in PDF format (requires free Adobe Reader ®). SEJ members can also view a copy of the latest independent audit of SEJ's finances (also in PDF format.) Additional details on SEJ's finances are publicly available from Guidestar.

 

SEJ 2010 Conference Host and Primary Sponsor

 

2010 programs and operations are made possible by project grants and general support from:

 

SEJ 2010 Conference Contributors

Michael Rivlin Memorial Fellowships for Freelance Journalists are sponsored by members and general support donors to SEJ.


Past Foundation and Other Support

 

 Past University Hosts, SEJ Annual Conferences

 

Past University Sponsor for SEJ Diversity Program

 

Past Media Company Sponsors