Those who have stepped up to help in the Schools first three years include prominent journalists, alumni of City College’s storied journalism program, private foundations, corporate philanthropic sources, members of the School’s advisory board, and a host of individuals who support the program’s mission. The largest contribution, a $4 million endowment gift, was made by the sisters of retired New York Times publisher Arthur Ochs “Punch” Sulzberger. The gift provides scholarships for talented students with limited financial resources. In June 2006, the School received a $1 million pledge from an anonymous donor.

Other major contributors to the School include: News Corporation; the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; The McGraw-Hill Companies; The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; the McCormick Foundation; Time Warner; Hearst Corporation; the Lambert Family Foundation; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; family and friends of long-time City College Professor Irving Rosenthal; the family of broadcast journalist Daniel Schorr; broadcast journalists Connie Chung and Maury Povich; the family of ABC News engineer Julius Barnathan; radio pioneer Himan Brown; public relations guru Howard Rubenstein; and television anchor Roz Abrams. Apple Inc. donated 75 laptop computers for the first class.