The A-Mark Prize: Supporting Investigative Journalism

Investigative reporters are trained to follow the money.
Problem is, it takes money to follow money.

That’s why SPJ Florida and the A-Mark Foundation created the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting — a $15,000 annual cash award supporting reporters and their newsrooms.

Presented as part of the Sunshine State Awards, the A-Mark Prize recognizes exceptional investigative journalism that exposes wrongdoing or advances public understanding of critical issues.

Click here to see the 2025 winners.

Award Breakdown

Each year, prizes are awarded as follows:

First Place
• $5,000 to the reporter(s)
• $2,500 to the newsroom

Second Place
• $3,000 to the reporter(s)
• $1,500 to the newsroom

Third Place
• $2,000 to the reporter(s)
• $1,000 to the newsroom

Total annual prize money: $15,000

Why It Matters

Investigative journalism is never easy — and it’s getting harder.

Newsrooms are operating with fewer reporters, tighter budgets, and increasing pressure. Yet the need for accountability reporting has never been greater.

“The A-Mark Foundation hopes that our grants will lead to increased recognition and support for investigative journalists across the United States,” says Tracey DeFrancesco, senior vice president of the Foundation. “Providing a monetary award to both reporters and their publishing outlets enables more important work to be done.”

When the Foundation approached SPJ Florida about launching the prize, we encouraged them to include newsroom awards alongside individual recognition. Struggling outlets often want to pursue ambitious investigations — but lack the financial runway to do so.

This prize delivers both recognition and real support.

Eligibility & Entry Overview

The A-Mark Prize honors:

  • Investigative reporting by an individual or team

  • A single report or a series (up to five items)

  • Work that exposes wrongdoing or promotes understanding of an issue in the public interest

A supporting statement (up to 400 words) is recommended.

Full entry guidelines are available as part of the Sunshine State Awards call for entries each year.

Recognition

Winners are honored at the annual Sunshine State Awards ceremony. Prize checks are distributed to both reporters and their newsrooms.

The Sunshine State Awards are Florida’s largest journalism contest. With the A-Mark Prize, they are also among the most financially significant.

For questions, contact SPJ Florida anytime.