ICFJ Provides Journalists with the Funds They Need to Cover Critical News
- Onboarded and managed tax compliance and payments for 700+ new journalists annually
- Deployed global payouts in multiple countries, currencies, and payment methods
- Automated invoice management and streamlined the approval process with Sage Intacct ERP
Today’s journalists face immense challenges—personal attacks, disinformation, mistrust, a volatile media landscape, and threats to their lives. ICFJ, the International Center for Journalists, believes that trustworthy news is essential to free and strong societies and is empowering its global network to build trust within their communities.
160,000
Journalists
35+
Countries
Engagement Through Innovation
With new tools and techniques, ICFJ provides its network with crucial resources that inspire them to find unique solutions to the challenges they face every day.
We provide [journalists] with training and funding for investigative journalism. To get the funds to them, we needed a more robust system rather than just using the regular bank.
Franlis Alvarez | Director of Finance & Accounting, ICJF
The Digital Mission
To manage increasing international requirements, ICFJ wanted to eliminate its highly manual finance operations while improving its environmental footprint. Removing paper was the first step. The second was automating all critical finance workflows.
- Streamline Global Payments
- Improve Invoice Management
- Integrate with ERP, Sage Intacct
- Achieve Tax Compliance
Sustainable Business Models
Working with journalists and newsrooms located in the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Asia, ICFJ wanted to find the right technology solution that would allow them to manage different types of payments and currencies. Their ultimate goal was to allow their network to get their funds as fast as possible.
None of the other automated payment systems that we looked at had the features that Tipalti had—you [can execute] so many types of payments within one platform. The main [methods] we use are PayPal, eChecks, and wire transfers—everything was less expensive than going through the bank. [Tipalti] was faster and easier for us.
Franlis Alvarez | Director of Finance & Accounting, ICFJ
A Cutting-Edge Solution
With Tipalti, ICFJ can manage the steady increase of journalists joining its network. Via the self-service portal, they can automatically collect banking details, tax information, and payment methods while maintaining compliance. Plus, ICFJ has benefited from Tipalti’s secure cloud infrastructure, which enables their remote and traveling team members to process payments and generate reports wherever they are in the world.
- Executed Quick Payments in One Platform
- Streamlined Invoice Approval with Real-Time Visibility
- Improved Reconciliation Time by Integrating with Sage Intacct
- Improved Supplier Onboarding and Tax Form Collection
Thriving Financially
Now, ICFJ is able to serve its growing community without the hassle of manual finance operations. New team members are given the opportunity to work directly in Tipalti, which saves time, allows for more strategic initiatives across levels, and reduces overall employee turnover.
I wish I would have done it earlier—implementing an automated process. It’s not just the payments…it’s freeing your time and your team’s time.
Franlis Alvarez | Director of Finance & Accounting, ICFJ
It Takes a Journalist
By providing journalists with world-class training, mentoring, fellowships, and financial support, ICFJ is ensuring that independent news sources survive in times of unprecedented challenges. For years to come, their pivotal work will continue to support the brave individuals who put their lives on the line to bring us the news.
