Evergreen State A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting
Celebrating outstanding journalism completed in 2025, the Northwest Excellence in Journalism Awards introduced the Evergreen State A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting, with honorees receiving cash prizes, just in time for the annual contest.
- First place: $5,000 for the writer(s), plus $2,500 for the newsroom
- Second place: $3,000 for the writer(s), $1,500 for the newsroom
- Third place: $2,000 for the writer(s), $1,000 for the newsroom
Read about the inaugural winners here, and watch a partially recorded Zoom in which the lead repor discuss their projects.
The A-Mark Foundation Prizess for Investigative Journalism are part of a national philanthropic effort to support, recognize, and expand investigative and public-interest journalism across the United States. The A-Mark Foundation is a Santa Monica–based nonprofit whose mission is to strengthen investigative reporting — journalism that uncovers wrongdoing, abuse of power, corruption, or systemic failure through original research and documentation.
“The Evergreen State A-Mark Prize for Investigative Reporting was created to recognize exceptional investigative journalism in Washington state,” said Tracey DeFrancesco, A-Mark’s chief operating officer. “We know how hard reporters are working in this state to uncover important stories and hold power to account.
“The A-Mark Foundation hopes our grants will lead to increased recognition and support for investigative journalists in Washington and across the United States. By awarding a cash prize to the journalists and the outlets that published the work, our intention is to help sustain this kind of rigorous and essential reporting,” DeFrancesco said.
While the Northwest Region 10 Excellence Awards have long honored investigative reporting (and have four other categories for investigative reporting), the Evergreen State A-Mark Prizes have specific eligibility criteria. Entries must demonstrate a Washington connection by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
- The reporter(s), newspaper or media outlet that published the winning work is based in Washington.
- The work covers Washington.
Journalists or reporting teams in Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Washington can submit their work in the region-wide, media-specific categories, for print, audio, broadcast and magazine journalism. Single stories or series might be submitted in more than one category, depending on eligibility and relevance.
“We’re excited that A-Mark is supporting Washington newsrooms committed to honoring watchdog reporting,“ said Jody Brannon, Western Washington SPJ chapter president. “It’s often tedious, time-intensive and expensive work, so it’s exceptional to have this award in place to honor such commitment to craft and community.”
More about the awards
Entries may include a single investigative story or multiple stories over a period of time. Entries should display original reporting generating public scrutiny and/or revealing information otherwise not generally known about individuals, governmental agencies, businesses, elected officials or organizations. Judging criteria include depth of research, initiative, obstacles overcome, use of databases and public records, analysis of documents and records, use of multiple sources and impact on public policy.
A five-person selection committee will be assembled to evaluate these entries. The panel will comprise retired or former journalists or journalism educators who reside in Washington and/or are familiar with Washington issues
Among aspects of the submissions that judges will consider:
- Journalist’s initiative and effort
- Uncovering of facts that were unknown to the public and/or may have been deliberately hidden
- An issue of public importance
- Demonstrated excellence in storytelling, data collection and interpretation, documentation, presentation, and reader involvement where appropriate, and
- Results and/or impact: Demonstrated or potential influence on awareness, public dialogue, policy, or community outcomes.
- Quality of Journalism: Depth of research, accuracy, fairness, accountability.
- Quality of Presentation: Clarity, storytelling structure, and effective use of visuals or multimedia.
- Responsiveness to Community Needs: How well the reporting reflects and serves community concerns.
The checks will be presented at our annual awards ceremony in the autumn. If the winners can’t make it, checks will be mailed.
A-Mark now sponsors awards in 40 states or territories, including with the Alaska Press Club and the Oregon Newspaper Association (which includes Idaho).
If you have questions, email us anytime.