Lekan Otufodunrin writes on basic requirements for writing a pitch for investigative reporting grants
Most media houses no longer fund investigative reports as much as they should. Investigative Desks no longer exist and where they do, the staff hardly get their requests for travel allowance to investigate any major issues approved.
In some cases, managements suggest that state correspondents who are battling to cover their usual assignments take over investigations in their states of coverage. The outcome is predictable.
One of the options for journalists to get funding for investigative reports is applying for grants from local and international organisations.
The organisations are able to provide enough grants to investigate any issue based on approved pitches.
Writing and getting investigative reporting pitches approved require some understanding and format which every applicant must know of.
Here are some suggestions for consideration:
HOW TO FIND THE GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Look out for announcements of grants by various media organisations and apply within the deadline. Some organisations consider applications as soon as they are sent, so don’t wait till the last minute to apply when there may be too many applications that there will not be enough time to look through them.
You will know of the announcements if you follow the major grant-awarding organisations and others online. Follow them on social media, subscribe to their newsletters and occasionally check their websites.
Know those who give grants annually or during a specific period and prepare to apply.
READ ALSO: How to benefit from MacArthur’s $6.3m journalism grant
HOW TO WRITE YOUR PITCH
Carefully read the guidelines and comply with EVERY instruction to avoid your application being disqualified. There are usually many applications and there is no time to consider anyone who does not with the guidelines.
The latest Upright for Nigeria call for investigative journalism endowment is SPECIFICALLY to track leadership and accountability in Coronavirus donations/ funding and or Palliatives distribution to be published in Nigerian national media.
Focus is on the campaign project states of Lagos, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Kano, Kaduna and Borno, If your pitch is not for this states don’t bother to apply.
A DETAILED ( not brief) pitch should be sent to SCRAP-C@CCSIMPACT.ORG and INFO@CCSIMPACT.ORG
The coverage area for the SCRAP-C project for the Upright for Nigeria Campaign announced in 2019 are also Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Borno, Kano, Kaduna and Enugu. Investigation outside these states would not be considered however good.
Be sure you are applying for grants in issues you cover or have the capacity to investigate. The Upright For Nigeria Campaign call is for Health, Education, Tax and Power. If you don’t cover any of these issues there is no point applying for the grant.
Find out if there is a template for the pitch and fill accordingly in line with the word limit where it is specified. If there is no template see the template below from the International Centre for Investigative Reporting in Abuja for some of what to include in your pitch.
Subject: Story pitch on the title of your proposed investigation
Story Brief: Give a summary of what your story is about (2-3 paragraph)?
Research/Data Analysis: What research have you done on your proposed topic? What further research/ data analysis are you proposing for the story? Minimum 4 paragraphs.
Field Assignment:
Planned locations you want to visit for your investigation with rationale for selecting these locations. This will also include the people you plan to interact with and interview at these locations and facts you plan to gather from these locations.
Date: Planned travel movement
E.g Anambra: To arrive on 28 and depart on 31 of March
Jigawa: To arrive on 11 and depart on 14 of April
Osun: To arrive on 18 and depart on 21 of April
Date of Publishing Story
State the date the story will be published eg The story will be submitted for publication on the 25th of April 2017.
Budget –Draw up a budget for your trip indicating cost of travel, feeding, accommodation, telecommunication, fixers and other envisaged expenses. Get current cost and don’t assume. If there is a budget limit ensure your budget does not exceed it.
In justifying your choice of story to be investigated, you need to answer additional questions like the following:
-Why is the story worth investigating?
-Is it newsworthy?
-Are you likely to reveal anything new?
-Have similar reports been done?
-Is your report of public interest?
-What impact is the report likely to make?
Furthermore, you may need to give details of how the investigation will be conducted, who are to be interviewed and how long will the investigation likely to take?
Chances of getting your application approved can sometimes depend on your track records. What similar stories have you investigated, who has funded you before and the impact of your past stories.
It is an advantage if your reports have won major awards in the past.
If you are requested to get a letter from your editor on your capacity and willingness to publish your report, ensure he or she writes a convincing and not a casual one.
