FIU Journalism Students Gain $1 Million in New Funding
The grant will fund student scholarships and faculty support at the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Scholarships
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Students at Florida International University will see expanded access to journalism training and scholarships following a $1 million donation from three foundations. The gift honors veteran journalist Manny Garcia, who serves as the executive director of the school's journalism program.
Why it matters
This influx of funding aims to bolster local news education and provide FIU students with direct professional experience in the Washington bureau. It represents a significant investment in the pipeline of future reporters currently training in our community.
A $1 million donation to Florida International University will fund new scholarships and faculty support for the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media. The total impact of these funds on student enrollment numbers remains to be determined.
The players
Manny Garcia
He is the Knight Foundation Executive Director of the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media.
Ansin Foundation
This organization was established in 1957 and provided the lead donation to FIU.
Florida International University
This institution is receiving the $1 million gift to support its journalism programs.
The details
The grant comes from the Ansin Foundation, the Channel 7 Foundation, and the Channel 18 Foundation to honor Manny Garcia in his role as the Knight Foundation Executive Director at the school. The funds are earmarked for expanding local news coverage and covering student participation in the university's Washington, D.C. bureau. These resources are intended to strengthen the hands-on training opportunities available to local students as they prepare for media careers.
Timeline
1957 marks the year the Ansin Foundation was established.
2025 saw Manny Garcia named as the Knight Foundation Executive Director.
October 30, 2026 is the date this announcement was confirmed.
Beyond the 305
This donation continues the long-standing philanthropic history of the Ansin Foundation, which was originally established in 1957. The grant marks a pivot toward modern journalism education, scaling the foundation's historical commitment to local media access.
Local students currently studying at the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media gain access to new financial support and expanded professional rotations. These funds improve the quality of local news training available to residents right here in the 305.
The takeaway
Students looking to build a career in news should monitor the school's internal announcements for the rollout of these new scholarship applications. Watching the expansion of the Washington bureau program will be key to understanding the full reach of this donation.
Further reading
Find more details on how students can access local opportunities at our Scholarships page.
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Should private foundations fund university journalism programs to support students?
