The IIJ 2026 Freelance Journalism Conference
[Insert Title]
March 5 - March 6, 2026
10 recorded sessions, Q&As, and bonus editor panels, delivering 16+ hours of learning for just $99!
This event was created for freelancers of all backgrounds!
The IIJ’s mission is the emotional and financial sustainability of freelancers of color.
DO YOU WANT TO
Hear what top editors want in pitches?
Learn insider secrets to landing fellowships, diversifying revenue, and creating a portfolio of meaningful work?
Connect with a community of creators who make a good living while telling stories that have an impact?
Access the Institute for Independent Journalists 2025 Freelance Conference recordings!
10 recorded sessions, Q&A videos, and bonus editor panels, delivering 16+ hours of learning, for just $99!
Our conference package includes:
Our incredible bonus bundle, which includes IIJ-created pitch guides with rates and contacts for outlets featured in our previous webinars, including the Atlantic, the New York Times, Salon, Marketplace, CNN, Wired, the Guardian, the Emancipator, the Wall Street Journal, the Verge, Prism, Essence, PCMag, MIT Technology Review, Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Health Magazine. In addition to these essential resources, you’ll find expert guides covering a range of topics, from recovering from layoffs and negotiating contract terms to tracking freelance income and applying for grants and fellowships.
Featuring 45+ diverse writers and editors from:
Schedule
Thursday, March 5 (10 am - 7 pm ET)
10:00 am - 11:15 am ET
Session 1:
Speakers include:
Moderator:
11:30 am - 12:45 pm ET
Keynote Speaker:
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm ET
Editors Panel
Speakers include:
Moderator:
2:15 pm - 2:45 pm ET
Lunch / yoga / stretch break
2:45 pm - 4:00 pm ET
Session 4:
Speakers include:
Moderator:
4:15 pm - 5:30 pm ET
Session 5:
Speakers include:
Moderator:
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm ET
Session 6: Networking (Not recorded)
After a full day of learning, join your freelance colleagues for an interactive networking session. Connect with IIJ leaders and other independent journalists in the main room and breakout groups organized by subject area and topics you‘d like to explore. This popular IIJ session has led to accountability buddies and writing groups, and we guarantee camaraderie!
Facilitators:
Deborah Douglas
Friday, March 6 (10 am - 7 pm ET)
10:00 am - 11:15 am ET
Session 7:
Speakers:
Moderator:
11:30 am - 12:45 pm ET
Keynote Speaker:
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm ET
Editors Panel
Speakers include:
Moderator:
2:15 pm – 2:45 pm ET
Lunch / yoga / stretch break
2:45 pm - 4:00 pm ET
Session 10:
Speakers include:
Moderator:
4:15 pm - 5:30 pm ET
Session 11:
Speakers include:
Moderator:
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm ET
Session 12: Networking (Not recorded)
Keep the energy of the conference going in a networking session with IIJ leaders, speakers and other independent journalists. Share your favorite learnings, ask a follow-up question or maybe meet an accountability buddy to help you with conference-inspired freelance goals. This is a live session that was not recorded.
Facilitators:
Iona Brannon
Thank You to Our Supporters!
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur is placing a few big bets that truly significant progress is possible on some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, decreasing nuclear risk, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., and reducing corruption in Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program and the global 100&Change competition, the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsive democracy as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago.
Since 2013, the O’Brien Fellowship in Public Service Journalism has supported 9-month reporting projects by 30 journalists based in the U.S. Reporters selected for this Milwaukee-based Fellowship at Marquette University get: a $70,000 stipend, student interns as reporting partners, and funds for housing and travel. In service of the Fellowship’s mission to identify problems and potential solutions, O’Brien projects have tackled issues around environmental and racial justice, inequities in education and health care, criminal justice and more. This is your chance to tell a story that can change policy or even change lives. For more information see the O’Brien website and application page, and contact O’Brien Director David Umhoefer via email.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation supports democracy by promoting informed and engaged communities, including projects in the arts and journalism that lead to transformational, sustainable change.
The Association of Independents in Radio is a growing talent network of audio industry professionals integral to public media, journalism, podcasting and narrative storytelling.
SoundPath is a digital training platform for peer-inspired learning, brought to you by the Association of Independents in Radio (AIR).
The IIJ Foundation is a fiscally sponsored project of Players Philanthropy Fund, providing free education, training and community to support freelancers of color.