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The media becomes an activist for democracy
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Oct. 15, 2014, 3:05 p.m.

Back in April, we told you about a new grant program that funds small innovation projects at nonprofit news organizations. The INNovation Fund — awkward capitalization courtesy of its home at the Investigative News Network, though the money comes from Knight — gave out $236,280 to eight projects in that first round of grants.

Well, today must be Small Grants For Journalism Innovation Day, because INN just announced the second round of grantees, this time clocking in at $226,020, again to eight projects. Here are the winners, which INN describes as “projects that enhance the sustainability and revenue of nonprofit newsrooms”:

100Reporters: $35,000 to launch an Investigative Film Festival in Washington, DC, focusing on films about investigative journalism or investigative journalists.

Carolina Public Press: $25,000 to organize a series of in-person News Exchange events to reach potential readers, subscribers and policymakers in 18 rural Blue Ridge mountain counties.

Citizens Campaign: $35,000 to launch a Community Day in Paterson, NJ to heighten interest in the Paterson Press, their local online investigative news outlet.

High Country News: $30,000 to expand HCN University, partnering with colleges and universities nationwide to integrate HCN’s content into science, economics and environment courses.

inewsource: $28,404 to create one “virtual voice” content syndication and distribution program among up to 90 community news outlets in the San Diego area.

The Lens: $7,500 to expand a Speakers Bureau to bring the Lens reporters face-to-face with current and potential subscribers in New Orleans.

The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism: $35,000 to organize a series of “Art + Journalism” forums/fundraisers statewide, showcasing their stories on water issues with representative sculpture which will be auctioned.

WKAR-AM/FM/TV: $30,116 to develop a mobile app around their long-running “Off the Record” public affairs show to attract more viewers ages 18-29.

There are two more rounds of this grant competition; the next one will take applications early next year.

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The media becomes an activist for democracy
“We cannot be neutral about this, by definition. A free press that doesn’t agitate for democracy is an oxymoron.”
Embracing influencers as allies
“News organizations will increasingly rely on digital creators not just as amplifiers but as integral partners in storytelling.”
Action over analysis
“We’ve overindexed on problem articulation, to the point of problem admiring. The risk is that we are analyzing ourselves into inaction and irrelevance.”