For nearly 40 years, The Detroit Free Press’s high school apprenticeship program has introduced young people from across metro Detroit to the fundamentals of reporting, photography and storytelling, and has helped generations of young people chart their path towards becoming leaders in the field.

During the Apprenticeship program, students train and work alongside Free Press journalists to cover community news and events. Their work is published in the Detroit Free Press print editions as well as freep.com. The Free Press apprentice program has launched students into leadership roles at college papers and professional careers at the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, NPR and, of course, the Free Press.

Your Gift, Their Future

We aim to raise $10,000 to support the apprentices of 2026 and beyond. Your donation will ensure that promising young journalists can access hands-on training, mentorship and newsroom experience, regardless of their background or resources. And 100% of your gift is tax deductible. Your generosity doesn’t just fund a program; it shapes futures, strengthens our community, and ensures that Detroit’s stories continue to be told.

Donations to The Detroit Free Press’s high school apprenticeship program are possible thanks to a partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. Contributions made to JFP will be distributed to The Detroit Free Press as monitored public good grants to financially support youth journalism apprenticeships and cannot be used for any other purpose.

If you prefer to donate via check, please address it to Journalism Funding Partners with "Gannett Community Giving DFP" in the memo line. Then mail to: 1801 West End Avenue, 16th floor, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. Please include your email address and the newsroom you’re donating to in a note with your check.

This campaign is a program of Journalism Funding Partners (JFP), tax ID #84-2968843, a verified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to “increase the depth, diversity and sustainability of local journalism by building and stewarding connections between funders and news organizations.” www.jfp-local.org.

JFP is providing funds to this news organization for their endeavors in support of this educational purpose, and will share your information with the publication you are supporting. JFP takes your privacy seriously, and we are committed to safeguarding, preserving, and respecting the privacy rights of our donors, website visitors, and other supporters. For additional information on how JFP maintains your personal information, please see our Privacy Policy.

Invest in Detroit's Next Generation of Reporters

By USA TODAY Co.

Invest in Detroit's Next Generation of Reporters

Donate to support the Detroit Free Press High School Apprenticeship Program