Established to honor the late Getty Images Photojournalist, the Chris Hondros Fund Will Support and Advance Photojournalists through Fellowships, Grantmaking and Education

New York, NY, October 20, 2011 –The Chris Hondros Fund, established in honor of Chris Hondros, the award-winning Getty Images photojournalist killed April 20th, 2011 in an attack by government forces in Misrata, Libya, today announced the launch of the Fund’s website at www.chrishondrosfund.org. Formed by Christina Piaia, Chris Hondros’ fiancé, with the support of Chris’ family, The Chris Hondros Fund will support and advance the work of photojournalists who espouse the legacy and vision of Chris Hondros and raise understanding of the issues facing those reporting from conflict zones through fellowships, grantmaking and education.

“Chris devoted his life to bringing the hardships and conflicts from Kosovo to Liberia to Afghanistan to Iraq into the public eye,” said Christina Piaia, President of The Chris Hondros Fund. “We are setting up this fund to honor Chris’ memory, to support his colleagues and peers reporting from conflict areas and help aspiring photojournalists and journalists to cover critical world-issues.” Pancho Bernasconi, Getty Images Director of Photography, and Todd Heisler, New York Times Staff Photographer, join Christina Piaia serving on the Board of Directors for The Chris Hondros Fund.

“Chris was a true hero in his dedication to bringing the important news and the stories of those less fortunate to us all — from far off places. He reminded us of our common humanity,” said Jonathan Klein, Co-Founder and CEO of Getty Images. “The Chris Hondros Fund honors and supports photojournalists whose work brings attention to significant social and cultural issues.”

Fellowships
Chris Hondros Fellowship in Photojournalism: Each year, the Fund will select an outstanding photojournalist who is committed to creating a visual history that brings shared human experiences into the public eye and whose work shows exceptional promise to receive a fellowship for the study of photojournalism. The Fund anticipates soliciting the first round of applications in 2012.
Hondros Fellow at Eddie Adams Workshop: The Fund will award an annual fellowship to one of the attendees of the Eddie Adams Workshop based on the photography created during the workshop and a portfolio review. Recipients should demonstrate a commitment to documenting a visual history of newsworthy events in the “spirit” of Chris Hondros; his imagery, and continuous drive to tell a story always made his work compelling and the successful recipient of the fellowship will share and demonstrate a similar vision and approach. Hondros attended the Workshop as a student in 1993, and returned as a team leader in 2007. On October 10, 2011, Enrico Fabian received the first Hondros Fellow award based on his powerful body of work created during the workshop, his telling portfolio and unyielding commitment to photojournalism.

Grantmaking
The Fund will provide grants to non-profit organizations and academic institutions to support projects that advance the work of aspiring photojournalists and working photojournalists and to protect and assist journalists whose work demonstrates the Fund’s mission: to create a visual history that brings shared human experiences into the public eye. These grants may also assist in raising public awareness of the effects of conflict on civilians, combatants, and society. The Fund plans to work with select organizations to develop appropriate projects and will not initially accept unsolicited proposals.

Awareness
The Fund seeks to raise awareness and educate the public about the work of
photojournalists, which the Fund anticipates will include operating a lecture series, curating and promoting exhibitions, and providing direct support, in the form of fellowships and awards, to photojournalists.

The Chris Hondros Fund is a recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. For more information concerning the Fund, please visit www.chrishondrosfund.org.