Reformatting the Business ModelInternational Symposium on Online Journalism

April 2015

Who are we?• Five years old• Non-profit• Nonpartisan• Covers ONLY

state politics, policy, and government

• Digitally focused

• News, data, events

Corporate EventsFoundationsIndividual giftsConsumer revenueOther

Corporate EventsFoundationsIndividual giftsConsumer revenueOther

Corporate EventsFoundationsIndividual giftsConsumer revenueOther

Corporate EventsFoundationsIndividual giftsConsumer revenueOther

Corporate EventsFoundationsIndividual giftsConsumer revenueOther

Corporate EventsFoundationsIndividual giftsConsumer revenueOther

Corporate EventsFoundationsIndividual giftsConsumer revenueOther

“The poster child for revenue diversity.” - Nieman Journalism Lab

Why is revenue diversity important?

1. Protects against market forces

Why is revenue diversity important?

2. Keeps organization focused on innovation/entrepreneurship

“Earned” revenue

Philanthropic support

$$

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014Individual gifts FoundationsCorporate EventsConsumer revenue Other

Why is revenue diversity important?

3. Protects against undue influence from funders

Thanks!Tim Griggs@TTGriggs