Honors an individual who is new to the field of nonprofit news (less than two years) and is contributing to the success of their organization through innovation.

2026 Award Winner

Francia Garcia Hernandez

Block Club Chicago

In early 2025, Francia Garcia Hernandez began covering the federal crackdown on immigration for Block Club Chicago. She is also one of those immigrants. 

“Like many others, I moved to the United States from Mexico pursuing opportunity. I came first as a young professional, then as an international student. In the end, I stayed because of the life I’m building here,” Garcia Hernandez wrote for Block Club Chicago. 

“Journalists are trained to set aside our feelings and opinions, to recognize our biases and to pursue the truth above all else,” she said. “But I cannot set aside my status as an immigrant, nor would I want to.”

Hernandez is a “strong reporter in a major city,” a judge said. The judge noted that Garcia Hernandez was also thrust into a major story that, as an immigrant, she also has a direct tie to. 

Another judge cited the nomination letter for Hernandez, saying there is “no doubt that Garcia Hernandez will continue to be a leading, transformative voice in nonprofit news, showing how even small, local newsrooms can have a major impact.”

Finalist

• Zoe McIntyre, Springfield Daily Citizen