SPJ Florida Thanks Sponsors, Seeks Additional Support for Sunshine State Awards
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Society of Professional Journalism Florida Pro Chapter is recognizing the generous organizations and individuals helping make the 2026 Sunshine State Awards possible while inviting additional sponsors to join the celebration before this year’s ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 29, at ArtServe in Fort Lauderdale.
Now in its 32nd year, the Sunshine State Awards honor the best journalism produced across Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The annual competition is the state’s largest and longest-running journalism contest, recognizing excellence in reporting, photography, design, video, audio and student journalism.
Last year, SPJ Florida launched the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting, funded by the A-Mark Foundation. This year, the chapter is partnering with The Our Fund Foundation in Wilton Manors to establish the SPJ Florida Fund, which will support scholarships for aspiring journalists.
SPJ Florida also extends special recognition to Schlesinger Law Offices, whose support represents the largest sponsorship in the ceremony’s history, and Duree & Company, which is celebrating its eighth consecutive year as a Sunshine State Awards sponsor.
SPJ Florida extends its sincere appreciation to this year’s sponsors:
Director Sponsor ($2,500)
- Schlesinger Law Offices
Editor-in-Chief Sponsors ($1,000)
- Knight Foundation
- Pierson Grant Public Relations
- Goodman Public Relations
Reporter Sponsor ($500)
- Duree & Company
In-Kind Sponsors
- Cooper’s Hawk
- E11even Vodka
- Magic 13
Media Sponsors
- Out South Florida
- Portela PR
- C. Mei Media
- Miami Herald
“Our sponsors do much more than help fund an awards ceremony,” said Jason Parsley, immediate past president of SPJ Florida. “They invest in quality journalism, support the next generation of reporters, and help us recognize the work that keeps communities informed and holds those in power accountable.”
The 2026 Sunshine State Awards ceremony will bring together journalists from across Florida to celebrate outstanding work and honor this year’s winners. The evening will feature a cocktail reception followed by the awards presentation.
While preparations are well underway, sponsorship opportunities remain available. Businesses, media organizations and community partners can support one of Florida’s premier journalism events while receiving recognition in front of over a hundred journalists, newsroom leaders, educators and industry professionals.
Sponsorships help offset event costs while allowing SPJ Florida to continue its mission of promoting ethical journalism through professional development, advocacy, education and recognition of excellence. Net proceeds from the Sunshine State Awards are reinvested into programs that strengthen journalism throughout Florida.
Organizations interested in becoming a sponsor are encouraged to contact Christiana Lilly at christiana.lilly@gmail.com to learn about the remaining sponsorship opportunities.
To see this year’s finalists, visit here. For more information about the ceremony, visit here. To buy tickets, visit here.
About SPJ Florida
The Society of Professional Journalism Florida Pro Chapter is dedicated to improving and protecting journalism through advocacy, education, professional development and recognition of journalistic excellence. The chapter presents the annual Sunshine State Awards, Florida’s premier journalism competition.