Here’s what the WVPAF does
for West Virginia’s Newspapers

The West Virginia Press Association Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit public educational foundation which operates various programs, including:

1. The WVPAF underwrites part of the cost of the West Virginia Press Association’s Annual Convention to keep registration fees as low as possible.

2. The WVPAF provides high-quality workshops and seminars that address all areas of the newspaper, including issues that impact our industry’s future.

Examples….

• NIE Workshops

• PDF Workshop to teach new pre-press procedures.

• Adobe workshops.

In addition, your WVPAF director works with the West Virginia University Technology College to provide more pre-press and press training for West Virginia’s newspapers.

3. The WVPAF works to build relationships among newspapers, educators and students to ensure that career opportunities at West Virginia newspapers attract top candidates.

• The WVPAF director is working with journalism instructors to bring the state’s journalism students and our newspapers closer together. One such relationship is with the United High School Media Convention sponsored by Marshall University Journalism School. More than 200 high school students are registered for the 2005 conference. WVPAF donates $1,500 each year to this program and $1,500 to the High School Convention at WVU’s School of Journalism.

• The WVPAF helps support the state’s NIE program. Newspapers may use the Foundation as a depository for donated funds to their NIE programs, since WVPAF is a 501-C3 organization.

• The WVPAF administers several scholarship funds that provide financial assistance to West Virginia students preparing for newspaper careers. These funds provide five scholarships totaling $9,000 that are awarded each year.

• WVPAF also sponsors an internship program for West Virginia newspapers. Each year 5 or more newspaper publishers are awarded $1,500 each toward paying their summer intern.

4. The WVPAF supports Freedom of Information initiatives.

Example….

• The WVPAF will help underwrite the cost of the Freedom of Information video which members can use in their own communities to help readers and leaders understand the significance of West Virginia’s Open Meeting Laws.

• Published The Reporters Survival Handbook for members.

5. The WVPAF works with other organizations which benefit the future of West Virginia’s newspapers.

6. Your WVPAF is working to help West Virginia newspapers meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities of new technology.