The document lists 10 news and information project ideas that are funded by community foundations: 1) community archives, 2) action centers, 3) contests, 4) mobile engagement, 5) data translation, 6) citizen media, 7) ecosystem support, 8) student journalism, 9) public broadcasting, and 10) professional journalism. It provides examples of each type of project and encourages readers to share their own local news or information project ideas.

1. 10 News and Information Ideas
Looking to get started?
Thinking about branching out?
Here are noteworthy projects
funded by community foundations
Michele McLellan, Knight circuit rider and consultant

2. 10 News and Information Projects
1. Community archives
Help citizens and organizations to contribute important
community information and ideas, available free to all.
www.thoughtbox.org
www.blackhillsknowledgenetwork.com

3. 10 News and Information Projects
2. Action centers
Give residents tools so they can take action to improve their
communities.
www.growwny.org
www.parkcitygreen.org

4. 10 News and Information Projects
3. Contests
Stage a competition to engage new voices and raise
awareness of local issues and assets.
www.mnideaopen.org

5. 10 News and Information Projects
4. Mobile engagement
Use mobile
technology to reach
larger numbers of
people.
www.votolatino.org

6. 10 News and Information Projects
5. Data translation
Make data easy to visualize
and use so local residents
can better understand their
communities.
www.piton.org/census2010/

7. 10 News and Information Projects
6. Citizen media
Enable local residents – including youth – to share their
stories and join conversations about their neighborhoods
and communities.
www.therapidian.orgwww.akronist.comwww.ourlifeinthed.com

8. 10 News and Information Projects
7. Ecosystem support
Tailor special solutions to your particular media ecosystem,
mapping what’s there, using signs or ads, building capacity
and digital literacy.
www.chicagoindyads.com/
www.kflinks.com/cctmatters
www.kflinks.com/sameboat
www.kflinks.com/wrapids

9. 10 News and Information Projects
8. Student journalism
Partner with a
university to teach
students to learn by
covering the local
stories no one else
is doing.
www.thenewsoutlet.org

10. 10 News and Information Projects
9. Public broadcasting
Help public radio and television go local with projects that
emphasize community news.
www.alaskapublic.org/townsquare49/
www.pbshawaii.org/hikino/

11. 10 News and Information Projects
10. Professional journalism
Support an independent nonprofit news organization
staffed by professional journalists to assure a flow of
news in the public interest.
www.oklahomawatch.org
www.njspotlight.com

12. 10 News and Information Projects
What’s your idea?
If your community or place-based foundation is considering a
local news or information project, we’d like to hear about it.
Also, Knight Circuit Riders may be able to help you sharpen
your idea and work through your plan.
kcic@knightfoundation.org
www.knightfoundation.org