The A-Mark Foundation announced a $10 million gift from its founder and board member, Steven C. Markoff, to advance the foundation's mission of supporting investigative journalism. This substantial donation represents a major investment in the future of investigative reporting at a time when such journalism faces significant financial challenges.
The foundation, which has been supporting investigative journalism through grants, awarded nearly $1 million in funding in 2025. The new $10 million gift positions the organization to dramatically expand its support for investigative journalism in 2026 and beyond. This expansion comes as many news organizations struggle to maintain investigative teams due to economic pressures and shifting media landscapes.
Steven C. Markoff's donation specifically aims to recognize excellence in reporting while investing in the next generation of investigative journalists. The foundation's work focuses on promoting investigative reporting through targeted grants that enable journalists to pursue important stories that might otherwise go unreported. Investigative journalism plays a crucial role in holding institutions accountable, uncovering corruption, and informing the public about complex issues that affect society.
The importance of this funding extends beyond individual news organizations to the broader information ecosystem. Investigative journalism requires significant resources, including time for research, fact-checking, and legal review. By providing substantial financial support, the A-Mark Foundation enables journalists to pursue stories that require extensive investigation without the pressure of immediate commercial returns. This type of funding helps maintain the integrity of public discourse and supports democracy by ensuring that powerful institutions remain transparent and accountable.
For readers, this development means more thorough reporting on critical issues that affect communities, businesses, and governments. The expansion of investigative journalism funding could lead to more comprehensive coverage of topics ranging from corporate practices and government policies to social issues and environmental concerns. The foundation's increased capacity to support investigative work may result in more in-depth reporting that provides context and analysis beyond daily news coverage.
The announcement was made through a press release distributed by Reportable, Inc., and additional information about the foundation's work is available at https://www.amarkfoundation.org. The foundation's focus on both recognizing existing excellence and developing future talent creates a comprehensive approach to strengthening investigative journalism. As media organizations continue to adapt to changing economic models, philanthropic support like this $10 million gift plays an increasingly important role in sustaining the investigative reporting that serves the public interest.
