Scripps Family Fund Donation To Support Scripps Employees, Communities During Pandemic

Employees of The E.W. Scripps Co. and communities where it does business in more than 40 markets across the country will benefit from a gift from the Scripps Family Impact Fund.

The fund is giving $1.6 million to three initiatives, including two related to the company and its foundation:

• Scripps COVID-19 Employee Relief Fund — The Scripps family will contribute to the fund established by the Scripps Howard Foundation in March to help employees of The E.W. Scripps Company who have been adversely affected by the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. This gift allows the foundation to provide up to $2,000 to an employee with urgent financial need — doubling the original $1,000 per employee.
• Local food pantry support — Funds will be given to food pantries in the markets where Scripps operates TV stations and national brands Newsy, Stitcher, the Katz networks and the Scripps Washington Bureau. Each market will receive $12,000 to designate to a local organization focused on food insecurity, including food banks, Meals on Wheels programs and soup kitchens. The TV stations and brands will share content that highlights the need and encourages additional giving to that cause from their audiences.

Scripps Research Institute in San Diego also will receive funds this year for research related to treatments for COVID-19. The Scripps Family Impact Fund is a private philanthropic entity launched in 2018 by descendants of company founder Edward W. Scripps, and his youngest son, Robert Paine Scripps.

“During these challenging times, my family members and I are proud to support Scripps employees and those in need in Scripps’ markets through this gift to the Scripps Howard Foundation,” said Wes Scripps, board co-chair of the Scripps Family Impact Fund. “We hope our gift can help provide some comfort and security to those who could use extra support.”

“The Scripps Howard Foundation deeply appreciates the generosity of the Scripps family,” said Liz Carter, president and CEO of the Scripps Howard Foundation. “With this gift, the foundation will be able to greatly increase its support for Scripps employees in need while also working hand-in-hand with Scripps stations and national brands to combat food insecurity that is growing in our communities across the country.”