ICFJ Awards Dinner 2026 Sponsorship Opportunities

Join us at ICFJ’s 2026 Awards Dinner, where we honor the achievements of colleagues who have made a significant impact through their reporting, both in the U.S. and globally. 

Washington D.C.’s premier international media event returns to the Ronald Reagan Building at a time when independent journalism is under siege – facing the triple threat of AI-driven misinformation, collapsing business models and authoritarian crackdowns. The event is far more than a gala. It is a gathering of several hundred media luminaries and global leaders dedicated to honoring the best of independent reporting. By joining us, you are supporting ICFJ’s efforts to build a more resilient, innovative future for journalism.

Your sponsorship directly fuels the Plus Hub, a critical "innovation engine room" that equips newsrooms, independent creators and others in a transformed information ecosystem with the sophisticated technical tools they need to serve their audiences. From AI verification technologies to high-level digital security and data hosting, your contribution helps provide the essential infrastructure that independent journalists could never afford on their own. 

We invite you to partner with us to ensure that no journalist has to fight these systemic shifts in isolation. Support the 2026 ICFJ Awards Dinner and invest in the specialized resources that keep the global flow of verified news alive – because when independent reporting disappears, the silence that follows is a risk we simply cannot afford.

To become a sponsor, or for more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact our team at development@icfj.org.

Event Partner - $100,000
Leading Sponsor

As a top sponsor of the evening, your company plays a prominent role on the podium, with front-row seating, photo-ops with honorees and branding on-site and in publicity efforts, including a global press release and dedicated recognition posts on ICFJ’s social media platforms. (Recognition benefits can be customized.)

• Three tables with prime seating for 30 guests
• Branding in ICFJ’s event publicity materials that will reach a worldwide audience of media luminaries, corporate and foundation leaders and information creators
• Welcome remarks by a company representative
• Seating with VIPs
• Top billing in ballroom and logo on center-stage screens
• Distribution of branded materials to dinner guests
• Photo op with honorees
• Recognition of support in remarks from ICFJ leadership
• Top branding and recognition in all publicity materials prior, during and after the event, including: linked logo on event webpage, recognition in pre-event press release, and premiumly-placed logo on all printed materials, event webpage and on-site signage
• Premier recognition of company name/logo in event social media campaign, including dedicated recognition posts
• Prominent, full-page ad on event webpage and in the event program

Presenting Sponsor - $80,000

In this premium sponsorship role, your company representative introduces one of the honorees from the podium, enjoys premium seating, and gets top branding at the event and in all publicity efforts. (Recognition benefits can be customized.)
 

• Two tables with prime seating for 20 guests 
• Role on podium introducing a prestigious honoree
• Seating with VIPs
• Prominent signage in ballroom and logo on center-stage screens
• Distribution of branded materials to dinner guests
• Photo op with honorees
• Recognition of support in remarks from ICFJ leadership
• Premium branding and recognition in all publicity materials prior, during and after the event, including: linked logo on event webpage, recognition in pre-event press release, and logo on all printed materials, event webpage and on-site signage
• Prominent recognition of company name/logo in event social media campaign, including dedicated recognition post
•  Full-page ad on event webpage and in the event program

Cocktail Reception Sponsor - $50,000
Exclusive

Guests congregate at the kickoff reception allowing the sponsor to gain a high profile by showcasing its brand with prominent signage and branded materials placed throughout the event space. The reception features hors d’oeuvres, a premium bar and a branded cocktail named after the sponsor. (Recognition benefits can be customized.)
 

• One table with prime seating for 10 guests 
• Role on event stage 
• Prominent signage and placement of branded materials in reception area 
• Signature cocktail named after sponsor
• Recognition of support in remarks from ICFJ leadership
• Photo-op with honorees 
• Premium branding and recognition in all publicity materials prior, during and after the event, including linked logo on event webpage and on-site signage
• Premier recognition of company name/logo in event social media campaign, including dedicated recognition post
• Full-page ad on event webpage and in the event program

Moonlight Reception Sponsor - $50,000 
Exclusive

Guests congregate at this highly popular post-dinner gathering, where you have a chance to address the attendees and honorees. We offer special branding, cocktails and a dessert buffet. (Recognition benefits can be customized.)
 

• One table with prime seating for 10 guests 
• Role on podium introducing a prestigious honoree
• Prominent signage and placement of branded materials in reception area 
• Signature cocktail named after sponsor
• Recognition of support in remarks from ICFJ leadership
• Photo-op with honorees 
• Premium branding and recognition in all publicity materials prior, during and after the event, including linked logo on event webpage and on-site signage
• Premier recognition of company name/logo in event social media campaign, including dedicated recognition post
•  Full-page ad on event webpage and in the event program

Leadership Sponsor - $50,000

This prominent level offers a speaking role on the podium and premium branding opportunities throughout the event experience. (Recognition benefits can be customized.)

• One table with prime seating for 10 guests
• Role on podium introducing a prestigious honoree
• Photo-op with honorees
• Recognition of support in remarks from ICFJ leadership
• Premium branding and recognition in all publicity materials prior, during and after the event, including linked logo on event webpage on on-site signage
• Premier recognition of company name/logo in event social media campaign, including dedicated recognition post
• Full-page ad on event webpage and in the event program

President’s Circle - $40,000

This level receives high visibility including recognition from the podium and a dedicated recognition post on ICFJ’s social media. (Recognition benefits can be customized.)

• One table with seating for 10 guests
• Recognition of support in remarks from ICFJ leadership
• Premier recognition of company name/logo in event social media campaign, including dedicated recognition post
• Special branding and recognition in all publicity materials prior, during and after the event, including linked logo on event webpage and on-site signage
• Full-page ad on event webpage and in the event program

Gold Sponsor - $25,000

• One table with seating for 10 guests 
• Branding and recognition in all publicity materials prior, during and after the event, including linked logo on event webpage and on-site signage
• Half-page ad on event webpage and in the event program
   

(Recognition benefits can be customized.)

Silver Sponsor - $15,000

• Seating for eight guests
• Branding and recognition in all publicity materials prior, during and after the event, including linked logo on event webpage and on-site signage

• (Recognition benefits can be customized.)

Showcase Booths - $10,000

This opportunity allows companies to showcase cutting-edge technology, products, and initiatives that support journalism and media innovation.

• Branded booth space in a high-traffic area of the event venue
• Opportunity to engage with attendees through interactive demonstrations and displays
• Branding and recognition in all publicity materials prior, during and after the event, including linked logo on event webpage and on-site signage
• Tickets for four guests. 

Tickets

• Premium In-Person Ticket $1,500
  • Guests purchasing premium in-person tickets will be recognized from the stage by ICFJ leadership, seated at a premium table and have the opportunity to meet with media luminaries and this year's award winners. Following an open-bar reception and seated dinner, guests will hear inspiring remarks by the honorees. After dinner, guests will have another chance to mingle while enjoying dessert, coffee and cocktails at the Moonlight reception.
    
     
• In-Person Ticket $550
  • Guests purchasing in-person tickets will have the opportunity to meet with media luminaries and this year's award winners. Following an open-bar reception and seated dinner, guests will hear inspiring remarks by the honorees. After dinner, guests will have another chance to mingle while enjoying dessert, coffee and cocktails at the Moonlight reception.

Program Ads

Promote your brand and show your support for ICFJ in the event program to a worldwide audience of journalists. Your ad will appear on our event webpage and in the event program.

• Full-page ad: $5,000
• Half-page ad: $3,000
• Quarter-page ad: $2,000

Make a Contribution

If you are unable to attend, please consider supporting our work today as we help journalists provide life-saving and critical information to the public.

You can make a donation here.