2024 Recipients

Scripps family extends its legacy of supporting journalism education
Funds raised by the legendary media family total more than twice last year’s awards 

Committed to making a meaningful difference in vulnerable lives, the Scripps Family Impact Fund (SFIF) announced today that it has granted a total of more than $2 million to three organizations that provide safety and relief to women who are affected by the scourge of domestic violence.

In late 2023, the SFIF board – which changes its area of focus every year to benefit a wider range of causes – decided to make women’s issues its category for the current year. The 11 members of the board, all of whom are great-great-grandchildren of media pioneer E.W. Scripps, conducted preliminary research last fall and quickly narrowed the focus to combatting the effects of domestic violence. The board then solicited grant applications from high-quality nonprofits throughout the country before selecting three finalists to showcase to the full Scripps family.

“It’s been an honor to be associated with the Scripps Family Impact Fund through its first six giving cycles,” said Jonathan Scripps, who just completed his first year as co-chair, “but it was especially moving to be part of the effort this year. It’s disheartening to know that there is so much need for such a preventable circumstance, but we were all inspired by the amazing work of the applicants who provide life-changing services for so many women.”

The recipients of grants this summer include:

• Women Helping Women, which provides evidence-based prevention and expert crisis intervention and support services for survivors of dating violence, sexual violence, domestic violence and stalking in Southwestern Ohio. The grant of $513,000 exceeded their funding request.
• The Joyful Heart Foundation, started by Mariska Hargitay of NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, paves the way for innovative approaches to treating trauma; igniting shifts in the way the public views and responds to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse; and reforming and advancing policies and legislation to ensure access to justice for survivors. SFIF fully funded their grant application with an award of $533,000.
• The Sundari Foundation is the Miami-based umbrella organization associated with the National Women’s Shelter Network and Lotus House, the largest homeless women’s shelter in the nation. The National Women’s Shelter Network is a growing national network of women’s and family shelters and safe-haven programs dedicated to advancing the status of women experiencing homelessness, the majority of whom are victims/survivors of domestic violence, to end and prevent homelessness. The Scripps family fully funded their grant request with an award of $1,034,000.

With more than $2 million granted to these three organizations, the total gifted by the Scripps Family Impact Fund since its inception in 2019 totals $9.5 million. Past categories of giving include children’s services, Covid-related research and support, healthcare, animal welfare and journalism. For the 2024-2025 cycle, the SFIF will focus on nonprofits that focus on veterans’ services.

“I’m indescribably proud of the Scripps family members who contributed their time and resources so abundantly to such a compelling cause,” said Austin Heidt, who co-chairs the SFIF board and serves as the board’s secretary. “For more than a century, the story of the Scripps family has been one of relentless generosity, and we added another chapter to that story this summer with consequential support of three outstanding organizations. If any member of the public is interested in helping a nonprofit focused on victims of domestic violence, we encourage you to take a close look at Women Helping Women, the Joyful Heart Foundation and the Sundari Foundation because we know you’ll be proud to be associated with their noble work.”

Along with the two co-chairs, SFIF board members include Samantha Brickner, Ray Granado, Ashley Heidt, Monica Holcomb, Molly McCabe, Eli Scripps, Jaime Scripps, Jackie Scripps and Wes Scripps.