Freelance Reporter—Philanthropy and Wealth

Observer is looking for a regular freelance reporter to cover the business of philanthropy, wealth and institutional capital. We’re seeking someone fascinated not only by the world’s richest people and families, but also by how they manage, preserve and deploy their fortunes through foundations, endowments, family offices, nonprofits and other institutions.

This is a role for an early- to mid-career business journalist looking to develop deep expertise at the intersection of wealth, finance and public influence. The ideal candidate should have an insatiable curiosity about how major fortunes are built, invested and spent, and how private capital shapes culture, education, science, politics, cities and society at large. They should have a basic understanding of finance and the economy, as well as familiarity with the richest people and families in the world and the institutions through which they manage their influence.

At its core, this beat will be about following the money: how wealthy individuals, families, foundations, endowments and nonprofits make decisions, move capital and set priorities. We’re looking for a reporter who can see the big picture but embraces the details, whether that means tracking major gifts, parsing endowment performance, understanding foundation strategy, identifying emerging philanthropic trends or spotting the people and institutions quietly shaping the conversation.

We’re looking for a reporter with:

- At least two years of experience in business journalism, with a track record of writing for reputable news outlets.

- Experience covering foundations, endowments and family offices.

- A basic understanding of finance, markets and the broader economy.

- Familiarity with major billionaires, wealthy families and the ways they spend, invest and manage their fortunes.

- An eagerness to regularly find and pitch story ideas.

- High journalistic standards, attention to detail, and the skeptical heart of a fact-checker.

- The ability to attend and cover relevant industry events, conferences, galas and philanthropic gatherings.

- Comfort with data, financial filings and public records, with experience building charts or visualizing information a plus.

Our standard rate is $250 to $400 per article for 600-800 words. Higher rates are negotiable for exclusives and features. This role is limited to U.S.-based applicants. To apply, please send your resume to business@observer.com with “Your Full Name + Freelance Reporter—Philanthropy and Wealth” in the subject line, along with three to five writing samples or a link to a personal website or portfolio.