Jim Murray Memorial Foundation

The Jim Murray Memorial Foundation (JMMF) became an official California 501 (c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation on May 17, 1999, to perpetuate Jim Murray’s legacy and his love for and dedication to his extraordinary career in journalism.

The Foundation’s goal is to raise funds throughout the year to provide scholarships for second and third year undergraduate journalism students. The JMMF coordinates a nationwide essay competition, with winners decided by a panel of nationally known journalists. The greater the success of the JMMF's fund-raising events, the more financial support it will provide for talented students.

Initially, the top 15 journalism schools in the nation were invited to participate in the student essay competition, as well as the schools attended by the Foundation’s Board members. The number of participating schools has grown to 32 over the last 15 years.

*Financial need gives no special claim to a Murray Scholarship. No student shall be qualified or disqualified on account of race or religious opinions.

PARTICIPATING COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

Arizona State University

Ball State University

Boston University

Butler University

California State University-Northridge

Indiana University-Bloomington

Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis

Iowa State University

Loyola University-New Orleans

Michigan State University

Northwestern University

Ohio University-Athens

Penn State University

San Diego State University

State University New York at Brockport

St. Bonaventure University

Syracuse University

Trinity College-Hartford

University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA)

University of Florida-Gainesville

University of Georgia

University of Hawaii at Manoa

University of Iowa

University of Kansas

University of Maryland-College Park

University of Minnesota at Twin Cities

University of Missouri

University of Montana

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of Oregon

Penn State University

University of Southern California (USC)

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Valdosta State University

Wake Forest University

Other journalism schools are considered by special request to the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

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Who is eligible?

To qualify for a JMMF scholarship, each student must be a second or third year undergraduate accepted into his/her university’s School of Journalism. Each student must have at least a “B” GPA. An essay of 1,000 words, and no less than 750 words, on a pre-selected sports topic is pre-screened by each journalism department, and subsequently judged by a panel of national writers. The Murray Scholars are recognized each year at the JMMF awards dinner in southern California.

Students may not submit directly to the JMMF.  All essays must be screened and selected by their school.  Contact your journalism department for more information.

 

Sponsoring A Scholarship

The Jim Murray Memorial Foundation’s “Five-for-Five” patron” grant was established to secure underwriting for five (5) $5,000 journalism scholarships for a period of five years.  The grant is payable in a one-lump sum, or in $5,000 increments over a period of five years.

Past “Five-for-Five” patrons are The McCormick Tribune Foundation, the St. Louis Rams and NFL Charities, Inc., and American Honda Motor Company, Inc.  Current “Five-for-Five” patrons are Susan A. Osborne and Stephen Soboroff.

Other major donors to the JMMF are The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, The H. N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, the Weingart Foundation, The Morris A. Hazen Family Foundation, CV Strategies, Inc., ESPN, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Baseball, Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation, The Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Dodgers Dream Foundation, Peter Ueberroth Family Foundation, and generous individual gifts from Peter O’Malley, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, Linda and Dave Hofmans, and the giants of auto racing, Mario Andretti, Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Danny Sullivan, Greg Penske, Dan Luginbuhl, Steve Earwood and the Auto Club Speedway.

No matter how small (or large) the donation, every dollar counts. All donations are tax deductible. The JMMF is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization; Federal Tax ID #94-3331025.