Most programs believe students should receive either course credit or pay for their work in news-academic partnerships. And, in some cases, faculty must find resources to run the news organization itself. Yet, locating stable sources of funding can be challenging. The good news? News-academic partnerships can mine both academic institutions and news-driven organizations for money. Whether it’s through internal sources, or external grants, or a portfolio of methods, here is a list of pathways to help your newsroom financially survive — and perhaps thrive.

REPORT: Funding for news-academic partnerships by Richard Watts, CCN director

DISCUSSION: Faculty fundraising brown bag with CCN

 

OPTIONS FOR FUNDING

Advertising — whether print, broadcast or digital ads, selling advertising within your news product can be a sustainable form of revenue if you have the personnel to maintain it. Bundling has become a popular strategy, across products and platforms or even organizations, in order to build a stronger and more sustainable advertising base.

Rate card examples

Sponsorships — ads are updated with frequency (as they promote specific products, events, etc.) but sponsorships allow organizations/businesses to get brand exposure that takes less upkeep. (Here’s a primer on the difference.) Also, sponsorships are more flexible — from sponsoring an email newsletter, to a logo on a digital product, to inclusion on fliers or T-shirts. Two other possible applications for sponsorships:

  • Sponsorships for individual reporters, internships or specific issue-based reporting.
  • Sponsorships for travel stipends for reporters.

Sponsorship examples

Donations or memberships — Even if your news organization isn’t a nonprofit or registered 501c3, donations can be a path to revenue. Models vary widely, but simply using a donation button on your website can allow communities to give. Another option would be to provide something in return for a donation (think public media with branded merchandise). Those who are recurring donors can receive some type of membership benefit, and these can be leveled or scaled as well.

Donation or membership examples

Grants and nonprofit networks — Many of the Potential Partner Organizations (link to that page) have funding opportunities, such as Knight, Google, MacArthur, etc., but they can be quite competitive. The key is to find grants or financial partnerships with nonprofit networks that have a tailored interest in the work that your program does. Here are more specific resources:

University-based funds — Each university has unique financial structures, but here are a few that might exist at your institution to provide funding:

  • experiential learning programs
  • alumni networks
  • faculty seed, research and curriculum development grants
  • student journalism organizations that can raise funds

Cost-sharing and crowdfunding — Depending on your model, it’s possible the news organization you are publishing/broadcasting in or with could take on a share of the costs for the students, resources or materials. It also might be willing to partner for a crowdfunding opportunity — for pay, equipment, etc. Here are two strong guides for journalistic crowdfunding:

Events — Hosting events can be a financial tool but also a key component of audience engagement for local news organizations. Increasingly, events are becoming part of newsrooms’ business models, too. The Texas Tribune is known for its events that spark community discussions and engage audiences in political issues. Here are two guides to help think through what events might look like for your news-academic partnership:

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