NABJ Announces Jubilee Anniversary Capital Endowment Campaign

Dear NABJ Family,

Fifty years ago today, 44 courageous Black journalists gathered in Washington, D.C. and declared that our voices, our stories, and our leadership were essential to American journalism and American democracy. Their act of vision and defiance gave birth to the National Association of Black Journalists — and to a movement that has shaped this profession for half a century.

Today, as we honor that extraordinary legacy, we must also prepare for the future that our founders imagined but could not fully see.
And so, on this historic anniversary, we proudly launch the NABJ Jubilee Endowment Campaign, the most ambitious capital campaign in our organization’s history.

Over the next four years, we aim to raise $15 million to build a permanent endowment that will secure NABJ’s long-term sustainability and expand our capacity to recruit, train, support, and elevate the next generation of Black journalists.

We are undertaking this effort because the stakes for our profession — and for our democracy — have never been higher. Newsroom consolidation, layoffs, shrinking local news ecosystems, the rise of artificial intelligence, and coordinated political attacks on DEI are reshaping journalism in ways that disproportionately harm Black journalists and Black communities.

If we want NABJ to not only survive these headwinds but lead in this moment, we must build the financial foundation to do so. A strong endowment gives us that power — the power to stand firm, plan boldly, and protect the pipeline for decades to come.

Campaign Levels

Golden Circle

Our goal is to recruit 100 individuals, corporations or foundations willing to contribute $100,000 or more.
If successful, this alone will raise $10 million toward the endowment.
Gifts may be made as a single contribution or in four annual payments of $25,000.

Silver Circle

Donors contributing $50,000–$99,999.

Bronze Circle

Donors contributing up to $49,999.

Every donor, at every level, will become part of the enduring story of NABJ’s next chapter.

All endowment contributors will receive:

A commemorative plaque recognizing their investment
Special recognition on the NABJ website
Visibility at all NABJ national events, including our convention
A place in the Jubilee Donor Roll — the first of its kind in NABJ history

Why This Matters — and Why Now

NABJ was built to defend truth, expand opportunity, and ensure Black journalists could thrive in an industry that once denied us entry.
Fifty years later, that mission remains urgent.

This endowment represents our commitment to the next 50 years — to an NABJ that is stronger, more independent, and fully equipped to safeguard Black journalists and Black storytelling in a rapidly changing media landscape.

We are calling on members, alumni, allies, media partners, philanthropists, corporations, and everyone who believes in the power and necessity of Black journalism to join us in this historic effort.

If we meet our goal, NABJ will enter its centennial equipped with the resources, stability, and boldness required to lead the next generation of journalists and truth-tellers.

Our founders built the foundation.
Now it is our turn to build the future.

With gratitude and determination,

Errin Haines
President, National Association of Black Journalists

Roland S. Martin
Chair, NABJ Jubilee Endowment Campaign Committee

How to Contribute

Below is the information to make online payments to the Capital Endowment Campaign Fund via wire transfer or via ACH payments. Payments can also be made by checks and mailed directly to our national office, 1100 Knight Hall, Suite 3101, College Park, MD 20742. Nathaniel Chambers, NABJ Finance Director, 240-463-0191 (cell) or email at nchambers@nabj.org is the contact for any Capital Campaign contribution questions or issues.

Wire Payment Instructions:

National Association of Black Journalists
Capital Endowment Campaign Fund Account
Bank Routing Number: 026009593
Bank Account Number: 004465144277

ACH Payment Instructions:

National Association of Black Journalists
Capital Endowment Campaign Fund Account
Bank Routing Number: 052001633
Bank Account Number: 004465144277

Dear NABJ Family,

Today, as we honor that extraordinary legacy, we must also prepare for the future that our founders imagined but could not fully see. And so, on this historic anniversary, we proudly launch the NABJ Jubilee Endowment Campaign, the most ambitious capital campaign in our organization’s history.

Over the next four years, we aim to raise $15 million to build a permanent endowment that will secure NABJ’s long-term sustainability and expand our capacity to recruit, train, support, and elevate the next generation of Black journalists.

If we want NABJ to not only survive these headwinds but lead in this moment, we must build the financial foundation to do so. A strong endowment gives us that power — the power to stand firm, plan boldly, and protect the pipeline for decades to come.

Campaign Levels

Golden Circle

Our goal is to recruit 100 individuals, corporations or foundations willing to contribute $100,000 or more. If successful, this alone will raise $10 million toward the endowment. Gifts may be made as a single contribution or in four annual payments of $25,000.

Silver Circle

Donors contributing $50,000–$99,999.

Bronze Circle

Donors contributing up to $49,999.

Every donor, at every level, will become part of the enduring story of NABJ’s next chapter.

All endowment contributors will receive:

A commemorative plaque recognizing their investment

Special recognition on the NABJ website

Visibility at all NABJ national events, including our convention

A place in the Jubilee Donor Roll — the first of its kind in NABJ history

Why This Matters — and Why Now

NABJ was built to defend truth, expand opportunity, and ensure Black journalists could thrive in an industry that once denied us entry. Fifty years later, that mission remains urgent.

This endowment represents our commitment to the next 50 years — to an NABJ that is stronger, more independent, and fully equipped to safeguard Black journalists and Black storytelling in a rapidly changing media landscape.

We are calling on members, alumni, allies, media partners, philanthropists, corporations, and everyone who believes in the power and necessity of Black journalism to join us in this historic effort.

If we meet our goal, NABJ will enter its centennial equipped with the resources, stability, and boldness required to lead the next generation of journalists and truth-tellers.

Our founders built the foundation. Now it is our turn to build the future.

With gratitude and determination,

Errin Haines President, National Association of Black Journalists

Roland S. Martin Chair, NABJ Jubilee Endowment Campaign Committee

How to Contribute

Wire Payment Instructions:

National Association of Black Journalists Capital Endowment Campaign Fund Account Bank Routing Number: 026009593 Bank Account Number: 004465144277

ACH Payment Instructions:

National Association of Black Journalists Capital Endowment Campaign Fund Account Bank Routing Number: 052001633 Bank Account Number: 004465144277

Today, as we honor that extraordinary legacy, we must also prepare for the future that our founders imagined but could not fully see.
And so, on this historic anniversary, we proudly launch the NABJ Jubilee Endowment Campaign, the most ambitious capital campaign in our organization’s history.

Our goal is to recruit 100 individuals, corporations or foundations willing to contribute $100,000 or more.
If successful, this alone will raise $10 million toward the endowment.
Gifts may be made as a single contribution or in four annual payments of $25,000.

NABJ was built to defend truth, expand opportunity, and ensure Black journalists could thrive in an industry that once denied us entry.
Fifty years later, that mission remains urgent.

Our founders built the foundation.
Now it is our turn to build the future.

Errin Haines
President, National Association of Black Journalists

Roland S. Martin
Chair, NABJ Jubilee Endowment Campaign Committee

National Association of Black Journalists
Capital Endowment Campaign Fund Account
Bank Routing Number: 026009593
Bank Account Number: 004465144277

National Association of Black Journalists
Capital Endowment Campaign Fund Account
Bank Routing Number: 052001633
Bank Account Number: 004465144277