The St. Petersburg Times, with a weekly audience of more than 1.5 million unique readers to its suite of products, has served residents of West Central Florida since 1884. Its mission is to provide readers with information to help them govern their lives as well as the communities in which they live and work. The Times also has a strong commitment to serving the public good through philanthropic giving.
Paul Poynter, who bought the newspaper in 1912, believed in being a leader in giving to worthy local projects. His son Nelson followed his example, giving back generously to the communities that supported his enterprises. Since Nelson Poynter's death in 1978, his successors have continued in that tradition of through grants for community projects and through scholarships for high school and college students.
In January 2003, the Times Publishing Company placed all of its philanthropy under the umbrella of the St. Petersburg Times Fund, Inc. The Fund, a 501 (c) 3, distributes money through scholarships and grants.
Originally called the Poynter Fund, this nonprofit organization was established in 1953 by the Times Publishing Company to encourage and financially assist students interested in journalism. In 1991, it was renamed the St. Petersburg Times Scholarship Fund. In 2003 it was renamed the St. Petersburg Times Fund, Inc.
Times Publishing includes the St. Petersburg Times, tampabay.com, tbt*/Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay Newspapers, Inc., Florida Trend magazine and Times Targeted Media.