Announcing a New Community Partners Project

Center for Investigative Reporting

Investigative reporting has long been one of the most important-- and most expensive--products generated by a vital journalism organization. The Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) is a non-profit organization that is developing new models for ensuring the quality and sustainability of investigative reporting, which is so critical to our democracy. CIR's mission has become increasingly important to media organizations facing the financial pressures associated with internet news consumption and changing advertising revenue models.   CIR has earned a track record for quality reporting, and is perhaps best known locally for its popular new media program, California Watch.

The Community Partners team will help CIR (www.centerforinvestigativereporting.org) create a plan for monetizing and expanding access to the online, mobile, video, audio and print vehicles through which CIR's investigative reports will be delivered. Recommendations from the Community Partners team will feed CIR's annual business plan and help CIR prioritize its many opportunities.

This project is ideal for HBS alumni with any or all of the following:

• A passion for journalistic quality
• Knowledge about the financial and technical viability of specific media distribution vehicles
• Branding targeted to new and traditional media audiences
• Experience with industry or market analysis.

 To find out more about this exciting and important project, please contact Kathy Koenig at Kathy.koenig@hbscp.org.  The target launch date for this project is mid-October. 

And, a sampling of ongoing Community Partners projects... 

Society for Environmental Journalists

The Society for Environmental Journalists (SEJ) is a national membership organization comprising journalists dedicated to reporting and writing about environmental issues.  SEJ has asked HBSANC to form a Community Partners team to help it continue its ability to provide meaningful guidance to its members in light of rapid changes in the way news is delivered and consumed. Issues related to new media, funding policies, and membership outreach will all play a role in this project.  Volunteers with an interest in either media or environmental education will find this project with SEJ to be fascinating and worthwhile.  

Land Trust of Napa County

The Land Trust of Napa County preserves land in Napa County for perpetuity by acquiring and then providing stewardship for large parcels of land.  The Land Trust has been very successful, but is committed to moving forward with a more strategic and purposeful approach. Its Board Chair and Executive Director seek assistance from Community Partners with strategy communication and with board development that will support a strategic approach.  This is an excellent project for anyone who cares about preserving the extraordinary beauty of the Napa Valley.  Volunteers with strategy consulting experience are particularly welcome.

Marine Mammal Center

The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito is a beautiful, state-of-the-art hospital dedicated to healing injured seal mammals and returning them back to their natural environments.  Each year mammals are treated by veterinary specialists assisted by more than 800 volunteers.  The Marine Mammal Center seeks a Community Partners team to help it develop a strategy and plan for supporting its work through retail revenue, via two retail stores and a website.