Youth Journalism International, Inc.
On the front lines for youth and truth since 1994.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
As recent events have shown, the needs of young people are often overlooked. We aim to provide young people with a voice and a platform to share their ideas and those of their peers so the world can learn what the next generation has to say about important issues.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Giving youth a platform to use their voices
Through its one on one journalism training, YJI helps young people gain the writing skills and confidence they need to express themselves. Its far-reaching online presence and collaboration with other outlets provides a platform for young people to have a voice that's heard. It also helps young leaders in scores of countries come to know and befriend one another, learning about distant cultures, religions and ideas at the same time.
Excellence in Journalism Contest
Since 2010, Youth Journalism International has offered a worldwide competition to honor and showcase the best non-fiction writing in English, photography, multimedia work, art and illustration by young people up to age 19.
Where we work
Awards
top-rated 2017
Great Non Profits
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Youth Journalism International aims to connect and empower young people of diverse backgrounds through the study and practice of journalism.
Its goal is to train the next generation of journalists by teaching students who learn by doing the work of professional reporters -research, interviewing, reporting and writing. It's crucial that they learn the value of a free and independent press and the responsibility and ethics that are embedded in the profession. YJI also teaches, to the benefit of all students, not just those who pursue careers in journalism, the value and role of good journalism and how to be a conscious news consumer.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Youth Journalism International uses hand-on experiences to teach students. While written study materials and instruction are provided, students learn best by doing the actual work. With supervision by professional journalists, they develop ideas for stories about issues or events in their own cities, villages, schools and communities. They are encouraged to explore topics that are of special interest to young people, but are also at times called upon, just as professional journalists are, to lend a hand with a breaking or developing story. They work closely with a professional editor who helps them learn the skills they need to flourish. As the students develop, they are given more responsibility and the most accomplished ones become peer editors. All students are encouraged to work with each other and to take part in larger, group projects with students from around the world.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Since beginning our work with young people in 1994, Youth Journalism International has always had professional journalists who work directly with students, usually in a one-on-one arrangement. If possible, the teaching editor works in person with the students. If not, she may connect via telephone, video chat, email or electronic text conversations.The master teaching editor endeavors to bring students together as often as possible, which helps nurture the working relationships and personal friendships that make the program unique. In addition, over time, the organization has developed a very strong alumni network. These former students, having successfully been through journalism training, are willing to step in and help, mentoring younger students with college and career counseling. The vast number of alumni offers a valuable resource to students: a network of trusted and friendly professionals in many places around the world.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
YJI has a strong group of interested students, a solid alumni network, and a huge waiting list of prospective newcomers. We've got a flourishing annual awards contest that not only showcases the work of YJI students, but other teen journalists around the world. It also draws attention to YJI and its own work and serves as a small but growing source of revenue.
YJI is active on many social media sites. It has a growing following on all of them.
Fundraising is the biggest challenge. YJI needs to build on its loyal base of support, which is largely made up of individuals who believe in teaching young people and bringing them together in a peaceful, productive way. The organization also needs to seek out more grant funding and other revenue sources, such as conducting workshops at public and private schools.
Ratings of YJI by students, alumni, parents and others are consistently high on GreatNonprofits.org, where YJI has been named a "top-rated" non-profit organization every year since 2010.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Youth Journalism International, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 02/15/2024
Mr. Steve Collins
Youth Journalism International
Term: 2009 - 2027
Steve Collins
Youth Journalism International
Jackie Majerus
Youth Journalism International
Shaina Zura
Health RIGHT 360
Cassie Lloyd Perrin
Level 20
Michael Soltys
Retired
Arooj Khaldi
Graduate student, Harvard University
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
Transgender Identity
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 02/15/2024GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.