Follow all the updates from INN’s one-day conference including workshops and panels on best practices in nonprofit journalism. (All times are based on Eastern Time.)
7:15 p.m.: The election results are in! Trevor Aaronson of the Florida Center for Investigative Reporting has been elected to INN’s Board of Directors and will take over Chuck Lewis’ seat. Laura Frank of Rocky Mountain PBS has been reelected. Read the full announcement.
Wish we’d gotten to more at #INNDay15? Submit a topic for discussion in INN’s peer group program: http://t.co/u9BLOXA5FR.
— INN (@INN) June 4, 2015
It was a great #INNDay15 at #IRE15! pic.twitter.com/u08PBSDS0b
— Food&EnvReportingNet (@FERNnews) June 4, 2015
5:00-6:00 p.m. Executive directors Meeting
3:40-4:50 p.m. Workshops
Dos and don’ts of grant writing
Facilitator: Irma Simpson, INN
Simpson details practical tips for grant writing and ways to help make your proposals more successful.
Technology innovation
Facilitator: Adam Schweigert, INN, @aschweig
Discussion about INN’s technology strategy, specifically tools, training and documentation, and what members want and need from INN.
[Read Adam’s notes here. He’ll be holding office hours online tomorrow from 2-3 p.m. ET for anyone who wants to talk further.]
Creative Marketing
Facilitator: Jason Alcorn, InvestigateWest, @jasonalcorn
You’ve done a branding campaign, but once the money for that is gone, what’s next? Beyond membership campaigns and events, how do we attract more readers? What are the key points to successfully marketing what you do.
#INNDay15 @INN members are on hand to listen to candidates for our board.
— Lisa Williams (@lisawilliams) June 4, 2015
.@wiswatchandy & @wiswatchkate are in Philly for #INNDay15 and #IRE15. Check out the live blog from the event: http://t.co/2ZYDJDbjSE
— WisconsinWatch.org (@WisWatch) June 4, 2015
Key to atty-client relationship re @katie_rcfp: -Know what you want -Make sure atty knows what you want #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
Jeff Hermes from @medialawmlrc: you probably don’t want editorial advice from your attorney… lawyers are risk averse. #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Hannah Bloch-Wehba (@HBWHBWHBW) June 4, 2015
Attys are supposed to *facilitate* your work, not tell you *not* to do things, says Jeff Hermes of @MediaLawMLRC #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
Here’s a legal guide for media startups: http://t.co/hAW1h8O6R0 #INNDay15
— Lisa Williams (@lisawilliams) June 4, 2015
Pro-Bono help tough to get for subpoenas and libel. Look for funding from @spj_tweets and others to help, says @katie_rcfp #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
If you can’t get pro bono counsel in a media law case, you can also look at outside funding–and insurance. #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Hannah Bloch-Wehba (@HBWHBWHBW) June 4, 2015
Jeff Hermes from @MediaLawMLRC explains that law firms, sadly, often have antiquated definitions of “pro bono” work #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Hannah Bloch-Wehba (@HBWHBWHBW) June 4, 2015
Toilet backed up?Grab a plunger. Kitchen remodel?Get a pro. The more complex, the greater the need for legal advice @HermesJP #INNDay15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
“Get pumped everybody!” Says @DeniseMalan. Time to tackle legal issues facing non-profit news orgs. #INNDay15 #IRE15 pic.twitter.com/WX7OkbOXgp
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
MLRC’s Jeff Hermes at IRE2015 today to discuss working w media lawyers. #INNDay15
— MLRC (@MediaLawMLRC) June 4, 2015
2:30-3:30 p.m. Legal really matters: Expert advice and listening to what members need
Katie Townsend and Jeff Hermes give tips on FOI requests, getting pro bono representation, and making sure you have necessary legal protections.They also will want to hear what INN members’ issues and needs are.
Moderator: Denise Malan, INN
Panelists: Jeff Hermes, Media Law Resource Center; Katie Townsend, Reporters Committee on Freedom of the Press
.@inc_hale: Funders like: Impact. It’s always been there. We’re just now figuring it out on the non-profit side. #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
.@crelewis: Foundations follow the news. Turn the flavor of the month to your favor. It’s crazy not to. #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
Use major funders to get you in the doors of some of the foundations that may not understand what #nonprofit news does. #INNDay15 #ire15
— Matthew Leonard (@mleonardmedia) June 4, 2015
.@crelewis: An upside of data: it can *innoculate* you from criticism of your reporting because it isn’t personal. #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
When you pitch your non-profit: 1.![🚫]()
Fishing 2. “Read the website!” 3. Make sure you’re a good fit @inc_hale #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
Fishing 2. “Read the website!” 3. Make sure you’re a good fit
.@crelewis “The big foundations (Carnegies, the McArthurs) didn’t answer my letters. Until we did work that got noticed. #INNDay15
— Lisa Williams (@lisawilliams) June 4, 2015
.@crelewis “I actually don’t recommend cold calling program officers…we’re not investigating them. Just kidding!” #INNDay15
— Lisa Williams (@lisawilliams) June 4, 2015
“Does anybody recommend writing a letter of inquiry cold — without calling first?” Panel: “No.” #INNDay15
— Lisa Williams (@lisawilliams) June 4, 2015
.@irmaeileen: Fundraising’s universal truths: 1. hustle and 2. tell a good story (the latter surprisingly rare). #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
“Even though foundations ask for a lot of data, most don’t do anything with it because they don’t have the staff who can.” #INNDay15
— Lisa Williams (@lisawilliams) June 4, 2015
“It’s a lot easier for foundations to evaluate a project grant; a general support grant requires them to evaluate the whole org.” #INNDay15
— Lisa Williams (@lisawilliams) June 4, 2015
.@crelewis 2/3rds of the $30MM raised for @publici were for topical projects. Most fdns don’t specialize in media funding. #INNDay15
— Lisa Williams (@lisawilliams) June 4, 2015
When courting funders, @crelewis says “If you can’t get a successful result going in the front door try a side window.” #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
Look ahead: @inc_hale “In this business, you should know where you think you’ll be in 2-3 years.” #INNDay15
— Lisa Williams (@lisawilliams) June 4, 2015
How to get your non-profit news org funded via foundations and grants. Four experts weigh in. #INNDay15 #IRE15 pic.twitter.com/vVllsqfAyz
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
.@inc_hale “Many of you (nonprofit news startups) have grown up. And how many of you support your adult children?” #INNDay15
— Lisa Williams (@lisawilliams) June 4, 2015
“People don’t have much time. When you’re dealing with a foundation, being succinct is appreciated.” @branthouston #INNDay15
— Lisa Williams (@lisawilliams) June 4, 2015
.@branthouston: “You don’t deserve this money. You’re doing the Lord’s work, but you still don’t deserve it.” #INNDay15
— Lisa Williams (@lisawilliams) June 4, 2015
11:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m. The latest on foundations and grants
With changes in staff and direction at major foundations, this session will share the latest on philanthropy for nonprofit news and where future money may come from and how to seek it.
Moderator: Brant Houston, INN board chair
Panelists: Sue Hale, Ethics & Excellence in Journalism Foundation; Chuck Lewis, Investigative Reporting Workshop; Irma Simpson, INN
Three partnership tips from @Laura_Frank: 1. Prove yourself first 2. Have a plan 3. @CPBmedia is on the hunt to *seed* #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
Laura Frank: “@CPB is very interested in collaborations between public media and investigative news orgs…and they give grants.” #INNDay15
— Lisa Williams (@lisawilliams) June 4, 2015
A lesson @loriehearn learned early: “People have to see if you’re worth spending time with” + the * value proposition* #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
Journalists run up against the mystery of the #valueproposition…#ire15 #innday15 #speeddating in nonprofit news
— Matthew Leonard (@mleonardmedia) June 4, 2015
Five of the original Pocantico @INN founders sharing insights on non-profit news. #INNDay15 #IRE15 pic.twitter.com/naJZrX055I
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
10:10-11:10 a.m. Dealing with mergers, acquisitions and memos of understanding
With collaboration and partnerships a fundamental part of INN members operations, this session will offer guidance on business arrangements with universities and partners and tips from those that recently completed a successful merger.
Moderator: Laura Frank, Rocky Mountain PBS
Panelists: Joe Bergantino, New England Center for Investigative Reporting; Margie Freivogel, St. Louis Public Radio; Andy Hall, Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism; Lorie Hearn, inewsource
“It’s not about eyeballs for us. It’s a mission sell.” @GallowayVTD on @vtdigger donor-courting strategy #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
“Avoid paywalls and subscription fees” says @vtdigger get readers first, then you can ask for money @CIRonline #INN15
— Matthew Leonard (@mleonardmedia) June 4, 2015
Corp. sponsorship the toughest nonprofit news fundraising nut to crack for @MinnPost says @wallmeyer #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
Discussion #INNDay15 breaking into large corporation support. #INN15 “Investigative content is an unguided missile” @ProPublica
— Matthew Leonard (@mleonardmedia) June 4, 2015
….And the @joaquinalvarado version: Be Promiscuous Binge Watch the Walking Dead Diversity on all fronts #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
Three keys to non-profit news startup success from @dicktofel: 1. Vision 2. Business acumen 3. Two-year funding plan #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
“Cultivating a major donor program” doesn’t happen by itself. It’s a lot of work and requires expertise. @joaquinalvarado #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
“The lower you go on the food chain” the more crucial underwriting is to non-profit news success. @GallowayVTD #INNDay15 #IRE15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
Half of @vtdigger revenue comes from underwriting. “We’re local and people care about the reporting we do.” – @GallowayVTD #INNDay15
— Denise Malan (@DeniseMalan) June 4, 2015
Philanthropy isn’t a bad word for funding things of value, says @dicktofel. Just look at higher ed, for example Harvard. #IRE15 #INNDay15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
.@dicktofel: @ProPublica has found successful model of creating national data sources for other news orgs to localize #INNDay15
— Denise Malan (@DeniseMalan) June 4, 2015
“Philanthropy has *got* to be the heart of the future” for funding non-profit news. @ProPublica Prez. @dicktofel #IRE15 #INNDay15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
“The Bay Area is like a magical land with free candy.” CIR’s @joaquinalvarado keeping it real on non-profit fundraising. #IRE15 #INNDay15
— Sara Catania (@Catanify) June 4, 2015
.@GallowayVTD: @vtdigger has five statehouse reporters. Media partners see them as wire service for state #INNDay15
— Denise Malan (@DeniseMalan) June 4, 2015
First panel at #INNDay15: The latest best practices in nonprofit news from @CIRonline @ProPublica and @vtdigger pic.twitter.com/rc11ABF9Am
— Denise Malan (@DeniseMalan) June 4, 2015
9-10 a.m. The latest best practices in nonprofit news
Leaders of large and small nonprofits share their latest successes in funding content and the lessons learned while building their organizations.
Moderator: Lisa Williams, INN
Panelists: Joaquin Alvarado, Center for Investigative Reporting/Reveal; Anne Galloway, VTDigger; Richard Tofel, ProPublica
If you’re at #INNDay15, here’s the full schedule of panels and workshops happening today http://t.co/99Uyevzsfx
— INN (@INN) June 4, 2015