Chips Quinn Reporter Fellowship Announces 2026-2027 Class

AllMisc.Press Release
Written By Marc Fiol | Communications & Administrative Coordinator

Posting: Monday, June 1, 2026

Journalism Funding Partners (JFP) is thrilled to announce the 2026–2027 cohort of the Chips Quinn Reporter Fellowship. With support from Freedom Forum, JFP has selected 12 early-career journalists from an exceptionally competitive pool of applicants, one of the strongest fields the fellowship has seen. Each fellow will receive a one-year, 1:1 mentorship from an experienced newsroom leader and Chips Quinn alumni, along with a $10,000 stipend. 

The fellowship carries forward the legacy of the late John C. "Chips" Quinn Jr., a newspaper editor who believed that diverse newsrooms better serve their communities. Since its founding in 1991, the fellowship has supported more than 1,400 journalists, growing from internship placements into a mentorship opportunity built around career power skills: communication, leadership, collaboration and personal/professional development. 

This year's fellows represent a wide range of beats, backgrounds and news organizations from across the country:

Each fellow will be paired with a dedicated mentor and will have opportunities to connect with one another while attending JFP’s annual in-person Board meeting in Phoenix, AZ.

We are proud to welcome this remarkable group of journalists and look forward to following their growth throughout the fellowship year. To support the next generation of reporters, considerdonating to the program and follow us on our website and social media channels for updates and stories from our fellows.

John C. Quinn (1925-2017)
Founder, father of “Chips” Quinn

The original Chips Quinn Program for Diversity in Journalism launched in 1991 with the mission to diversify the industry’s workforce pipeline. The new program will continue to honor the late John C. “Chips” Quinn Jr., a newspaper editor who believed in the importance of diversity in newsrooms to better reflect the communities they serve.

About The Chips Quinn Reporter Fellowship: The original Chips Quinn Program for Diversity in Journalism launched in 1991 with the mission to diversify the industry’s workforce pipeline. The new program will continue to honor the late John C. “Chips” Quinn Jr., a newspaper editor who believed in the importance of diversity in newsrooms to better reflect the communities they serve.

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Media Contact: Rusty Coats, Executive Director | rusty@jfp-local.org | (813) 277-8959

Marc Fiol | Communications & Administrative Coordinator

Marc Fiol is the Communications and Administrative Coordinator at Journalism Funding Partners. His role consists of helping grow the awareness and Impact of JFP’s work by increasing the depth, diversity and sustainability of local news.

He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising in 2020. Previously, he interned for the local newspaper, The Independent Florida Alligator, in Gainesville, Florida before officially joining the team as an account executive selling advertising space to local organizations. In addition to working with the Alligator, he also worked with their in-house advertising agency, SparkIt Creative, as their Content Developer designing advertisements for their many business accounts.

He is a Florida native, being born and raised in Miami, Florida, and values creativity, honesty and hard work. When he’s not working, he enjoys designing websites and apps, along with playing his guitar at home.

Next

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