The South Carolina Institute for Independent Journalism supports the development and production of independent and nonprofit news in South Carolina to promote democratic ideals. SCIIJ will achieve its mission by providing financial and organizational support to community publications; operating civic engagement initiatives; training promising journalists; and producing bold independent journalism. Learn more about how to apply for a grant.
Board of directors
Jennet Robinson Alterman is former executive director of the Center for Women in Charleston, S.C., where she currently chairs the city’s Commission on Women. A longtime women’s rights advocate with international connections, she operates a consulting business in Charleston and lives on Wadmalaw Island.
Catherine Brack is director of development for the Charleston Gaillard Center. She has longtime fund-raising experience with organizations as diverse as the national Center for Democracy and Technology and the Public Broadcasting System. She lives in Charleston.
Clay Middleton is senior vice president of Mercury, a national strategy firm based in Washington, D.C. A major in the S.C. Army National Guard who received the Bronze Star, he also has served in key government and senior-level positions in the Obama Administration and with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker and U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn. He and his family live in Charleston.
Dr. George Stevens has 20 years of experience working in fundraising and managerial positions in the nonprofit sector, currently as the president and CEO of The GoodCoin Foundation, a grant-making entity that has distributed in excess of $10M in grants to small charities. Stevens previously served as the leader of the Coastal Community Foundation in Charleston, S.C. a position he held for eight years. Prior to that he served in managerial and fundraising roles in various museums and colleges or as a fundraising consultant to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. He started his career as a research biologist with an interest in community ecology and taught at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and the University of New Mexico. He lives in Charleston.
Cris Temples is director of advertising for the award-winning Charleston City Paper. He leads a staff of seasoned advertising professionals who won 21 awards from the S.C. Press Association in 2021, including Best in Show, for all state newspapers over 12,000 in circulation.