The NC Newspaper in Education Foundation and the First Amendment Foundation merged in 1995 to form the NC Press Foundation (NCPF). NCPF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to defend citizens' right to know, promote civic participation through literacy programs and other educational initiatives and provide small loans/grants to assist in legal representation for the state's journalists. The board has identified the following priorities:
- Newspapers in Education
- First Amendment advocacy
- Literacy
- Litigation services
- Media Law Handbook
- Scholarships for the high school journalist of the year
- Newspaper history project
Bylaws of North Carolina Press Foundation
The North Carolina Press Foundation has set aside funds to support the litigation efforts of NCPA members, including pre-litigation legal assistance and litigation.
NCPA members may receive funds no more than once per year. Members may apply for up to $1,000 in funding but should be prepared to match those funds. (A member may apply for a waiver of this requirement if matching funds are impossible or would pose a severe hardship.) If a grant recipient succeeds in a judicial fee application, the recipient shall return the grant funds to the NCPF Litigation Fund. The grant recipient shall give the Board a brief, semi-annual update on the matter so long as it is pending.
The Foundation Board or a subcommittee of the Foundation Board will vote on grant applications. A preference will be given to applicants seeking to use funds for open government initiatives, including demand letters and litigation, but NCPA members needing
assistance in defending against subpoenas and libel or privacy litigation defense also may apply for aid.
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