MC-Guide
Content Writing
Website 133: Typemediacenter.org
How Can You Earn Money Writing For “typemediacenter.org” Website
This guide shows you, step by step, how a beginner can learn to pitch and sell stories to typemediacenter.org
You will learn what typemediacenter.org wants, how to test your idea, how to write a pitch, and how payment roughly works. You can use this like a small SOP.
Guide: How to Get Paid to Write Investigative Stories with Type Media Center (Step by Step)
Type Media Center and its investigative arm Type Investigations support journalists to report deep, impactful stories about inequality, labor, climate, corporate power, and democracy. This guide shows you how a beginner can move from “I like writing” to getting grants, fellowships, and paid articles through Type Media Center and similar outlets.
You will learn what they publish, how their fellowships and pitches work, how to develop a strong investigative idea, and how to use their online platform and other links to slowly build a career in journalism that pays. Sentences stay simple and clear so even a new writer can follow this like a mini SOP.
Section 1 · Know the organization
What Type Media Center actually does (and why it matters to you)
Type Media Center (TMC) is a nonprofit that supports investigative journalism and social-justice storytelling. It was formerly the Nation Institute, and it partners with outlets like The Nation, The Intercept, Reveal, and others to bring big stories to the public.
Their investigative project is called Type Investigations. They work with freelance reporters and fellows to produce longform, deeply researched stories that often take months. Topics include: labor exploitation, racial justice, immigration, surveillance, climate, corporate misconduct, and democracy.
- Type Investigations – the investigative reporting project that publishes big, long stories: recent investigations.
- Fellowships & Grants – programs for emerging and established reporters, like the Emerging Journalists Fellowship, the Ida B. Wells Fellowship, and climate or labor reporting funds.
- Partner outlets – they often co-publish with magazines, newspapers, and digital outlets.
You are not pitching a random blog post – you’re proposing a serious reporting project.
From public info on their site:
- Journalists who want to investigate abuses of power, systemic inequality, and under-covered communities.
- Writers from diverse backgrounds; many programs are designed to support BIPOC and underrepresented reporters.
- People who can show some reporting skill (clips, campus media, local news), even if they are early-career.
You can grow into this path, even as a beginner, if you’re serious and patient.
| Part of TMC | What it offers | Why it matters for you |
|---|---|---|
| Type Investigations | Assigns & edits investigative projects; pays reporting fees | Path to your first big national story, with editing and fact-checking |
| Emerging journalist fellowships | Training, mentorship, stipend, co-publishing | Structured way to move from “beginner” to paid investigative reporter |
| Topical funds (climate, labor, etc.) | Reporting grants for specific beats | Money and support so you can spend weeks/months on one story |
Section 2 · Story patterns
What a “Type-style” investigative story looks like
Type Investigations explains their approach clearly on “How to Pitch to Us”. They want stories that:
- Reveal something hidden or under-reported (documents, data, victims, secrets).
- Hold power to account (governments, corporations, police, landlords, institutions).
- Have impact – potential for reforms, public debate, or legal/policy change.
This is different from a personal essay or a simple news article. It’s slow, deep, and evidence-based.
Exposing hidden harm
Many investigations show how policies or companies quietly harm people. For example:
- Unsafe working conditions in a big warehouse chain.
- A police unit using tech tools in ways that violate rights.
- A landlord network abusing housing laws to evict low-income tenants.
Look at the labor or criminal justice sections to see examples.
Following the money & power
Another common pattern: show how money flows and who benefits. This may involve:
- Campaign donations and political favors.
- Corporate lobbying that shapes laws.
- Nonprofits or think tanks that look humanitarian but serve private interests.
Browse democracy & politics stories to see how they do it.
Centering people’s stories with evidence
Type stories usually combine:
- First-hand stories from affected people.
- Documents, data, lawsuits, FOIA records, academic research.
- Expert voices who can explain the system behind the harm.
You are not just telling one person’s sad story; you are proving a pattern.
Section 3 · Programs & grants
Using Type Media Center fellowships and Submittable
Many of TMC’s opportunities are managed through Submittable – an online portal where you create an account, upload materials, and track your applications. Different calls open and close during the year.
- Emerging journalists & young reporters – for early-career writers who have some clips and want mentoring, often focused on inequality or justice.
- Ida B. Wells Fellowship (check if active that year) – historically focused on reporters of color doing investigative work on racial justice.
- Topical funds – climate justice, labor reporting, and others; they fund single long-form investigations.
Details change yearly. Always read the current descriptions on: typemediacenter.org/fellowships.
- Create a free account at typemediacenter.submittable.com.
- Browse open opportunities (fellowships, reporting grants, contests).
- Click each one to see requirements: CV, clips, story proposal length, references, etc.
- Upload documents as PDF or Word, answer form questions carefully, and submit once you’re ready.
You can log back in to track status: “Received”, “In-Progress”, “Accepted”, or “Declined”.
| Opportunity type | What they ask for | Beginner strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Investigative fellowship | CV, 3–5 clips, 1–2 story ideas, references | Build strong clips in local/campus media before applying |
| Single-story reporting grant | Detailed proposal, budget/time plan, past work | Develop one powerful idea, plus 2–3 published pieces that show you can handle it |
| Training / mentorship programs | Promise, potential, and samples | Show your passion, curiosity, and ability to follow through |
Section 4 · Pitching SOP
How to pitch: following Type Investigations’ own playbook
Type Investigations gives detailed guidance at How to Pitch. Below is a simplified, beginner-friendly version you can follow when developing a pitch or grant application.
Clarify the core of your investigation
Before you write any email or Submittable answer, write one clear sentence:
- Hypothesis: “I believe X powerful actor is doing Y harmful thing, causing Z impact.”
Example: “Private probation companies in my state are charging illegal fees to poor defendants, pushing them into deeper debt.”
This is your compass – everything in your pitch must help you prove or disprove that claim.
Do pre-reporting before you pitch
Type Investigations expects that you have already done some digging:
- Talked to a few possible sources (workers, tenants, activists, lawyers).
- Looked up lawsuits, government reports, or public documents.
- Checked whether major outlets have already done the same story.
Your pitch should prove: “I have access, I’ve started gathering evidence, and I see a gap.”
Outline the evidence & reporting plan
On the How to Pitch page, they ask for:
- What you already know (facts, numbers, documents).
- What you still need to find out (records, interviews, data).
- How you’ll get it (FOIAs, door-knocking, experts, travel).
Be specific: name agencies, companies, cities, and possible data sources.
Explain why you should report this story
Editors want to know why you are the right person:
- Do you live in the affected community or speak the language?
- Do you have experience covering this beat (labor, climate, justice)?
- Do you have trust with key sources, or relevant professional background?
Even as a beginner, you can highlight local knowledge, language skills, or past smaller stories on this issue.
Follow their structure and word counts
Type Investigations suggests a pitch of about 800–1,000 words, covering:
- Lead: what the story is and why it matters now.
- Nut graf: the main finding or question your reporting will answer.
- Evidence so far: documents, data, and sources you already have.
- Reporting plan: what you’ll do next and how long it may take.
- Outlet ideas: where you think the story could be co-published.
Follow their guidance closely; they explain exactly what to include on the “How to Pitch” page.
Send, wait, and keep reporting
Once you submit:
- Expect that review can take time – these are complex projects.
- Keep lightly reporting and gathering documents (do not pause your curiosity).
- If declined, ask if you can receive brief feedback, then adapt the pitch for another outlet or grant.
In investigative work, pitches evolve. The same core idea can be reshaped many times.
Section 5 · Skill ladder
As a beginner: how to build up to Type-level investigations
You do not need to start your writing life by pitching a giant national investigation. Instead, build a ladder of smaller steps that teach you the same skills: finding documents, interviewing, structuring a narrative, and fact-checking.
- Stage 1 – Local & campus stories
Write for your school paper, local news site, or community blog about real problems: rents, transit, school policies, workplace issues. - Stage 2 – Small investigative pieces
Pitch short investigations (800–1,500 words) to local or regional outlets, focusing on one building, one company, or one policy. - Stage 3 – National investigations with support
Once you have 4–6 solid clips, start applying to fellowships and to Type Investigations with a bigger, more complex idea.
Each stage gives you clips (published work) you can attach to TMC applications.
- Interviewing: start with simple Q&A pieces, then move to multiple-source stories.
- Document hunting: learn to search court databases, agency websites, and open data portals.
- Note-keeping: organize quotes, dates, and facts so you can prove everything you write.
- Story structure: practice clear openings, nut grafs, and clean sections.
Free guides to learn these: SPJ Code of Ethics, IRE tipsheets (Investigative Reporters & Editors), IJNet.org training.
| Stage | Where to publish | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – Practice | Campus press, community blogs, Medium, local newsletters | Learn basic reporting; build writing samples |
| 2 – Early investigations | Local investigative units, regional outlets, nonprofit newsrooms | Get first investigative clips (with documents, multiple sources) |
| 3 – National-level work | Type Investigations, ProPublica Local Reporting Network, Reveal, etc. | Work with editors on long, complex, well-funded projects |
Section 6 · Money & timelines
How you actually earn from investigative work (and what to expect)
Exact amounts vary by program and year. You should always check current details on the Type Media Center and Type Investigations websites or in each specific call for applications. But understanding the basic structure will help you plan realistically.
- Fellowship stipends – many TMC fellowships provide a monthly stipend or lump sum so you can focus on reporting.
- Reporting grants – a grant that covers your time, travel, and expenses for one major story.
- Story fees from partner outlets – when your piece is co-published in a magazine or site, they may also pay a fee.
- Future work – strong investigations can lead to staff reporter roles, speaking, or book deals.
Treat each project as both income and a long-term career investment.
- A big investigation might take 3–12 months from pitch to publication.
- Fellowships often run for fixed periods (for example, 6 months or 1 year).
- There will be rounds of editing, fact-checking, and sometimes legal review.
Plan your finances accordingly: combine fellowships, grants, and other paid work so you’re stable while you report.
| Path | Income model | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Single reporting grant | One-time payment or staged payments | Fund 1 big story; keep freelancing or working other jobs in parallel |
| Full fellowship | Regular stipend over months | Focus heavily on reporting and training; reduce other commitments |
| Freelance plus investigative work | Mix of article fees, grants, and side gigs | Common path for early-career reporters building a portfolio |
Section 7 · Ethics & safety
Investigative rules: accuracy, fairness, and staying safe
Investigative outlets follow strict ethical standards. When you work with Type Investigations or apply to TMC programs, you’re expected to respect professional journalism ethics and think about source protection and legal risk.
- Accuracy – double-check every name, date, number, and quote.
- Fairness – seek comment from people or organizations you criticize.
- Transparency – don’t promise anonymity lightly; explain conditions to sources.
- Independence – avoid conflicts of interest; disclose if you have any connection.
Study: Society of Professional Journalists ethics code and ICIJ guiding principles.
- Use secure messaging with sensitive sources (Signal, encrypted email when needed).
- Store documents safely; protect your notes and backups with passwords.
- Be careful online – avoid posting about investigations before they’re ready.
- Read resources from Committee to Protect Journalists safety kits.
When working with Type Investigations, you’ll get guidance on legal review and risk, but understanding basics early helps.
Section 8 · Micro-SOP & resources
Final checklist before you apply + links to keep learning
Use this checklist whenever you prepare a pitch for Type Investigations or an application for a Type Media Center fellowship. Check every box honestly before you hit submit on Submittable or send an email pitch.
Quick FAQ: earning money & building a path with Type Media Center
- TypeMediaCenter.org – main site
- Type Media Center – Fellows & alumni
- Type Media Center – Fellowships & programs
- TMC submissions on Submittable
- Type Investigations – How to Pitch
- All investigations – TypeInvestigations.org
- International Journalists’ Network (IJNet) – training & opportunities
- Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE)
- Committee to Protect Journalists – Safety kits
- Global Investigative Journalism Network – Resource Center
- ProPublica – work with us & fellowships
- Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting – opportunities