Though the field of journalism may be going through a tough time, a recent show of philanthropy from a foundation will make sure it will continue to have opportunities for advancement in the future.
The Missouri School of Journalism’s Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) recently received a five-year, $15 million charitable donation from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. The money represents the third-highest amount the university has ever received, with the largest gift being the $31 million donated by the foundation to establish the institute about five years ago.
"This gift from the Reynolds Foundation makes it possible for us to pursue our dream of an institute that supports democracies around the world by developing and testing 21st century models and technologies of journalism to serve civil society," Brady Deaton, chancellor of the University of Missouri, said.
The RJI also works with corporations like Apple, Adobe and AT&T in order to create new products. It also conducts research in the field of journalism and works with business start-ups. For example, work and seed money from the RJI helped establish a Silicon-Valley start-up called CircLabs.
CircLabs’ first product, Circulate, is slated to go forward in 2010. Circulate incorporates social networking, news, and a content sales and management service which gives people a way to get news that is focused on their particular concerns.
In September of 2008, the institute dedicated its headquarters, which is housed in a 50,000-square-foot building located on the campus of the University of Missouri. The new facility allows the institute to test new technologies, examine new methods of transmitting news to the public and conduct seminars and conferences virtually.