INNovation Fund
Established with the support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the INNovation Fund supported projects proposed by nonprofit news organizations to advance the economic sustainability of their newsroom. Read about the impact it had.
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Round 4
INNovation Success Stories
For communities across the U.S., finding new ways to support journalism in their towns or state or around a public issue is a critical challenge.
To help address this need, the Institute for Nonprofit News has distributed more than $1 million in INNovation Fund grants of up to $35,000 to nearly 40 nonprofit news organizations over the last three years. Funded by Knight Foundation, with Democracy Fund joining in the latest round, the grants are designed to cover initial costs for a news organization trying an innovative project to build revenue, audience or both.
In each of the communities profiled here, small injections of capital for local nonprofit news media – up to $35,000 each – launched these projects and brought reliable news coverage to more citizens, deepened community ties, gave more people a public voice, and generated money to support strong reporting. These stories illustrate what can happen when public service newsrooms have access to seed funding to try new things.
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Round 3
Encino, Calif., April 15, 2015 — The Institute for Nonprofit News (formerly the Investigative News Network) announces eight INNovation Fund winners in its third round of funding, for a total of $223,820.
A membership program to improve sustainability
Juvenile Justice Information Exchange
Award Amount: $30,610
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Round 2
Encino, Calif., October 15, 2014 — The Investigative News Network has announced eight winners of the second round of its INNovation Fund grants, for a total of $226,020. The fund was established with the support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to spur business innovation and experimentation in nonprofit newsrooms that are focused on audience engagement and long-term sustainability.
Paterson Press community day & 5k run/walk
The Citizens Campaign / Paterson Press
Award Amount: $35,000
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Round 1
Encino, Calif., April 15, 2014 — Investigative News Network is announcing 8 winners of the first round of its INNovation Fund grants, for a total of $236,280. Initially established with the support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the INNovation Fund’s sole purpose is to spur nonprofit newsrooms to undertake innovative projects that will bring their organization closer to sustainability.
The IowaWatch Connection radio program
Iowa Center for Public Affairs Journalism
Award Amount: $25,000
