The Knight Center for Specialized Journalism is offering fellowships to journalists to attend an in-depth seminar:

The Nonprofit World
June 12-15, 2007

Why are nonprofits newsworthy?

* There are more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the
United States, according to the IRS.
* Nonprofits in the United States account for nearly 5 percent of the GDP, according to a Johns Hopkins University study. This GDP share tops many other sectors of the economy including: construction; utilities; transportation and warehousing; mining; and agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting combined.
* Private donations to tax exempt charities and foundations total about $240 billion per year.
* The charitable sector spends more than $1 trillion per year.

Applications are invited from print, broadcast and online journalists. Seminar speakers will be experts from top research institutions, government, business and the media. Participants will gain valuable sources and engage in thought-provoking discussions with colleagues from around the country.

Knight Center fellowships cover all seminar costs, including reference materials, hotel lodging, meals and a travel subsidy. The travel subsidy is a reimbursement of half the cost of travel up to a maximum subsidy of $300. Seminars are held at the University of Maryland, in the metro Washington, D.C. area.

Topics may include:

* Deciphering 990's: Understanding Tax Returns and Financial Audits
* New Trends in Philanthropy
* Inside Foundations
* Politics and Nonprofits
* A Critical View: When Nonprofits Get in Trouble
* Sustaining the Arts
* Fund raising
* Faith Based Nonprofits
* Nonprofit Hospitals and Health Care
* Back-to-the-Newsroom Discussion

Applications must be received by the deadline.

To apply, send three (3) complete sets of material, each of which includes the following:

* A resume, including work street address, phone number and e-mail address
* A statement of up to 500 words giving the reason for applying
* A supervisor's strong nominating letter. The letter must include the organization's commitment to cover salary and partial travel cost.
Freelancers send a letter of recommendation from an editor you have worked with.
* Three published articles with publication name and date. Editors may send samples of edited work. Broadcasters send one CD, audiotape or videotape. Articles from electronic archives are accepted.

We do not accept e-mailed or faxed applications.

Send applications to:

Carol Horner, Director
Knight Center for Specialized Journalism
University of Maryland
1117 Cole Field House
College Park, MD 20742-1024

The Knight Center is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and is a professional program of the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Participants stay in a hotel on the University of Maryland campus. Applicants must work for independent news organizations. The Knight Center seeks diversity among participants.

Contact the Knight Center at 301/405-4817, or e-mail us at knight@umd.edu.