S.C. Press Association and A-Mark Foundation partner to offer the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism in South Carolina with cash awards totaling $15,000
Investigative reporters are trained to follow the money, but it takes resources to follow the money. That’s why the South Carolina Press Association and the A-Mark Foundation have partnered to offer a $15,000 cash prize for S.C. reporters and their newsrooms. The A-Mark Prize is funded by the A-Mark Foundation, which supports and promotes investigative reporting.
First place: $5,000 for the journalist(s) and $2,500 to the news organization
Second place: $3,000 for the journalist(s) and $1,500 to the news organization
Third place: $2,000 for the journalist(s) and $1,000 to the news organization
The A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism is open to all journalists and all news organizations in South Carolina. The S.C. Press Association represents the state’s newspapers and online news publications. The A-Mark Foundation is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in 1997. A-Mark is dedicated to supporting and encouraging journalism and investigative reporting through grants to organizations that offer awards recognizing journalistic excellence. One of A-Mark’s flagship initiatives is the A-Mark Prizes program, which recognizes and rewards the best investigative journalism in each state.
Criteria: This contest recognizes an investigative story or series by a reporter or team of reporters on a single topic. Entries may include a single investigative story or multiple stories over a period of time. Entries should display original reporting revealing information otherwise not generally known that individuals, governmental agencies, businesses, elected officials or organizations do not want under public scrutiny. 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. Entries must include a brief letter of explanation describing the actual or potential impact of the report.
Eligibility: This contest is open to all news media organizations based in South Carolina and their staff members to include newspapers, broadcast outlets and online news publications. Entries must have been published or aired between Nov. 16, 2025 – Nov. 15, 2026.
How S.C. Press Association members can compete: First, second and third place winners from all divisions of the 2026 SCPA News Contest Investigative Reporting category will compete alongside SCBA member entries for the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism in South Carolina. The deadline to enter is Dec. 4, 2026. Upload entries and letters of explanation at scnewscontest.com. There is no additional fee for SCPA members to enter this competition; Investigative Reporting division winners will be automatically entered by SCPA.
How S.C. Broadcasters Association members can compete: SCBA members will upload entries and letters of explanation by Dec. 4, 2026. Each entry is $9. After uploading your entries, SCPA will review each entry and contact the news director with an invoice that can be paid online or by check. SCBA member entries will compete alongside SCPA member entries for the A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism in South Carolina.
Judging: This contest shall be judged by a committee of retired S.C. newspaper and broadcast journalists, as well as representatives from The Associated Press and University of South Carolina School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Winners: Winners will be announced at the S.C. Press Association Annual Meeting & Awards Presentation on March 12, 2027.
Contact: Call Jen Madden at (803) 750-9561 or email SCPA for more details.