History and Guidelines

The Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism honor distinguished coverage of disadvantaged children, youth and families. More than 4,500 journalists have competed for the Casey Medals since 1994. 

The awards were created to inspire and recognize exemplary reporting on children and families. Winning stories offer a fresh take on a significant issue, show enterprise in research and reporting and demonstrate masterful storytelling and impact. Judging is conducted by respected journalists and journalism educators.

First place winners in twelve categories receive a $1,000 and are honored at an October ceremony in Washington DC. Runners-up and honorable mentions receive a certificate of merit. Categories include newspaper, television, magazine, radio, multimedia and photojournalism. The awards are funded by The Annie E. Casey Foundation. 

Read our featured First Person narratives by award honorees to learn how they covered their winning stories and their tips for fellow reporters.

AMERICA'S PROMISE JOURNALISM AWARDS
In 2009, America’s Promise Alliance partnered with the Journalism Center on Children & Families to launch its first annual journalism awards for excellence in coverage of youth issues. The America’s Promise Journalism Awards honor those members of the media whose work helped to raise national awareness about the needs of young people and inspire communities nationwide to put the needs of children and youth first.

The Journalism Awards are presented to two journalists (print, broadcast or online) selected from the pool of that year's Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism winners. The Alliance’s distinguished panel of judges selects one award recipient from each of two categories: Awareness and Action. Awareness entries arejudged based on whether the submission provided a fresh take on an existing issue, or highlighted a topic little-known to readers. The Action Award is given to a piece that inspired action on behalf of young people that led directly to community-wide change.

Each recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium from the Alliance in addition to receiving the Casey medal. Winners are announced at the awards dinner on October 27, 2009.

The awards are sponsored by Alliance Board member Jin Roy Ryu and inspired by Tim Russert, a distinguished Alliance Board Member and tireless advocate for the nation's young people. Russert was on the selection committee for the Alliance’s 100 Best Communities for Young People Competition and emceed the Awards Ceremony honoring the winners. To learn more about America’s Promise Alliance, visit www.americaspromise.org.

Apply now for the 2010 Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism.
Entries must be received by March 5, 2010.