About the Foundation

MDDC PRESS FOUNDATION: Protector and Educator

The mission of MDDC's Press Foundation is to protect the First Amendment's freedoms of press and speech, and the role of newspapers and journalism in a free society. The Foundation’s Core Values of Leadership, Integrity, Vision and Excellence drive all that its does.

Founded in 1998, the Foundation sponsors a variety of educational and advocacy programs in keeping with its vision of supporting excellent journalism despite the challenges of a high-tech, rapidly changing world.

On behalf of its members and the public at large, it takes a leadership role in championing free speech and free press issues. Without any political affiliation or bias, the Foundation advocates for more open government at every level. It is the region’s most active defender of the public’s “right to know.”

The Foundation’s educational programs involve outreach to the public and the training of current and future members of the press. For those members working in the industry professionally, the foundation offers several workshops and professional development opportunities for both the business and editorial sides of publishing.

The foundation offers programs for young journalists including recognition for excellence in high school journalism, and paid internships with member newspapers to give college students real world experience, to encourage and help them to pursue a career in the industry.

The foundation is a private, tax-deductible 501(c) 3 organization incorporated and domiciled in the State of Maryland. Its members are the Board of Directors of the MDDC Press Association.

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