College Media Madness: Donate to Student Journalism!

About the Event

The second iteration of College Media Madness is underway, uniting college newsrooms to raise awareness — and money — for the important work student journalists do.

The 2021 inaugural competition raised more than $95,000 for 27 college newsrooms in three weeks. All donations made to participating newsrooms count toward their goal. Visit collegemediamadness.com to see the full list of participants and see which newsrooms are in the running for the top spot.

In many communities, student-run outlets are the primary source of news for their campuses and towns. Collegiate journalism fills a void left by the closure of professional newsrooms across the country, one that has rapidly accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Every donation to a student newsroom supports the development of the next generation of journalists and media professionals by funding editorial projects, student salaries, operating costs and new endeavors. Donations are made directly to the outlets or their affiliated universities.

Message from the editorial board

The DI staff is excited to be back in College Media Madness and we’re ready to smash our record from 2021. With a fresh staff and new ideas, our publication plans to build a multimedia studio in our office to continue our digital-first commitment.

By donating, you can give opportunities to student staff at the DI to progress their media careers. More funds will mean better local coverage and expanded media coverage. Donations will help cover the cost of cameras, livestreaming gear, lighting equipment and staffing.

Thank you for supporting collegiate journalism at the University of Illinois. If you’re unable to contribute, please consider sharing this page on social media.