Esserman Family Fund +
Esserman-Knight Journalism Awards
The Esserman Family Fund for Investigative Journalism honors and supports courageous local reporting and embodies the Esserman family’s commitment to a more informed South Florida.
2026 Esserman-Knight Journalism Award Nominations are now OPEN!
About the Esserman-Knight Journalism Awards
The Esserman-Knight Journalism Awards honor excellence in investigative and public service reporting that exposes injustice, amplifies community voices and holds the powerful to account in South Florida.
Anyone can nominate a journalist or a team of journalists for outstanding original reporting from Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach or Monroe counties that was produced in 2025. Nominations of an article, a series of related articles (up to three) on a single or related topic are considered for this honor. Nominations are encouraged across different mediums, including print, digital, television, radio, podcasts, video, audio, data visualization, and documentary film (up to 120 minutes in length are eligible).
Entries should serve the public by holding the powerful to account, shining a light on a pervasive or underreported community problem, or breaking new ground on an issue. The submissions will be judged by the quality of analysis and storytelling, the rigor of newsgathering, the inclusion of community voices, and the impact on public understanding or action. Jurors include highly experienced professional journalists, members of the community and the Esserman family.
The awards are by nomination only. Self nominations are not accepted.
The awards include a $10,000 first prize, a $5,000 second prize, and honorable mentions at $1,000. Winners will be notified in April 2026, with a public announcement and awards event to follow.
Click here to submit a nomination now. For further information, please consult our frequently asked questions (FAQ) or email essermanknight@miamifoundation.org.
In 2019, the Esserman family and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation created these awards to raise awareness about the importance of local news and to honor outstanding journalists in South Florida. The family also created The Esserman Family Fund for Investigative Journalism at The Miami Foundation that supports fellowships for investigative reporters in South Florida.
About The Esserman Family Fund For Investigative Journalism
The Esserman Family Fund for Investigative Journalism honors and strengthens accountability reporting in South Florida by supporting reporters whose work has the power to change laws and lives.
This initiative, created by Ronald and Charlene Esserman and their family, is a way to herald the importance of a free press and fortify journalism’s crucial role in ensuring democratic freedoms. The Essermans believe that amplifying the voices of journalists and their courageous work will keep the community focused on injustice, suppression, and corruption and galvanize us to stand up for change.
About Ron & Charlene Esserman
After the couple moved to Miami from Chicago in 1968, Ron built a network of businesses in South Florida in the automotive industry, heralded for his focus on quality and integrity. Ron brought humanism to his workplace and invested in the advancement and well-being of his employees. Ron and Charlene also supported many community causes, establishing organizations that contributed to the cultural health and well-being of Miami-Dade County. They helped establish Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate Foundation, and shaped the Miami City Ballet, the Florida Grand Opera and the Arsht Center.
Throughout their lives, they have been engaged in the political process and supported candidates and causes that focused on guaranteeing free speech, equality for all, quality education and access to resources to enable everyone to have a chance to build a better life.
How to Contribute
You can join the Essermans in their work to safeguard a free press and democracy through a donation of any size. Click the button to donate to the Esserman Family Fund for Investigative Journalism.