INN’s Collective Fundraising DIY Guide is a resource to help newsrooms raise funds collaboratively
Collective fundraising can serve as a way for newsrooms to work together to raise more philanthropic revenue by extending the reach of their message, sharing resources and combining their strengths. As leaders in the news industry, INN sees an opportunity in the ability of collective fundraising to help newsrooms raise more philanthropic revenue to sustain their work.
What is collective fundraising? We define collective fundraising as fundraising undertaken together by multiple organizations that establish the necessary systems, processes, and structures to raise and manage those funds jointly.INN has developed a guide in partnership with the social enterprise Collective Mind to outline the key steps for organizations looking to do collective fundraising and share case studies from newsrooms and other nonprofits that have explored this approach.
The following case studies draw from the experiences shared during interviews that helped to inform the guide. Take a look at how newsrooms have tried collective fundraising and the lessons they learned as a result.
Eden Prairie Local News Partnered with the Chamber of Commerce to Put on an Event
With a shared revenue goal, Eden Prairie Local News and its local Chamber of Commerce set out to launch an event focused around the impacts of AI to inform community members. A division of labor was established and clearly outlined roles and responsibilities were set. In the end, the collective attracted 150 attendees and raised $9,000 in revenue split by the two partners.
MinnPost and Sahan Journal Organized a Joint Fundraising Campaign
The one-day campaign around World Press Freedom Day from MinnPost and Sahan Journal served as a proof of a concept that can be replicated in other newsroom collaborations. With a goal of raising matching funds of $2,500 per newsroom during the match period, each organization leveraged its own relationships and networks throughout. The campaign yielded a total of $12,500 split between the two partners as well as increases in email subscribers and major donors.
Connecticut Mirror and Connecticut Public Fundraised for a Shared Reporter
In the case of this fundraising collective for a shared reporter, the recipe for success in part was each organization’s willingness and ability to bring donors to the table. The partners were able to honor each organization’s culture and donor engagement practices to raise funds to hire a shared Washington, DC-based reporter. The collaborative is in its second round, and the success hinges on the its ability to a consensual hiring process and shared donor cultivation.
The New England News Collaborative Fosters Ongoing Collaboration
The New England News Collaborative was established by 10 public media stations for the purpose of sharing content and has grown to include a robust fundraising component. Members of the collaborative wanted to create content that could live beyond state lines, and they knew that creating a sustainable business model was critical to reaching that goal. With multiple partners and varying priorities, the Collaborative is driven by a strong shared mission and clear Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as well as a governance council representing the interests of all organizations.
Questions? Meet the INN staff member who can help.
Network Philanthropy Director
Stephanie Schenkel designs and manages capacity-building programs and collaborative fundraising initiatives to grow philanthropic support for the INN Network.
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