Investigative News Network: In 2009 journalists from 27 nonpartisan, nonprofit news organizations gathered at the Pocantico Center in New York to plan the future of investigative journalism. The result of that meeting, the Pocantico Declaration, established the Investigative News Network and laid a foundation of collaboration among a new cohort of nonprofit newsrooms dedicated to serving the public interest.
Today [October 2014] INN has grown to 100 organizations in North America and soon worldwide. Members share content and resources, connect with professional- and business-development services, and lead the evolving practice of journalism in the public interest.
Mission
INN’s mission is to help nonprofit news organizations produce and distribute stories with impact; to achieve cost efficiencies by pooling resources and services; and to develop new revenue streams that will help member organizations become sustainable, mission-driven, nonprofit businesses.
INN facilitates collaborative projects, both within the membership and with external media partners.
We also provide back-office support in technology and infrastructure development; help members share best practices for publishing and distributing content; and a robust communication network to engage our members, our funders and our audiences.
While aiding our active members, we also seek to incubate and foster new nonprofit newsrooms by providing professional development and fiscal-sponsorship services.
Members
The organizations that comprise the network are diverse, with beats that range from the local to the global, and that often explore the intersection of the two. Some cover specific industries and sectors, such as education or healthcare. Others cover communities, from small towns to big cities. All of them use investigative and public-interest reporting to advance their mission.
Their newsrooms are composed of reporters, editors and producers that have been recognized by a constellation of news-industry awards: Pulitzers, Emmys, Peabodys, DuPonts, and laurels from the Society of Professional Journalists, Investigative Reporters and Editors and many others.
Their high-impact stories have exposed corruption and inspired legal and policy reforms; alerted the public to environmental perils, financial scams and faulty products; and informed communities about the issues of business and government that affect daily life.
Their journalism is delivered in every medium — text, audio, video, digital, broadcast and even print. They are pioneering data journalism, developing and deploying apps, and exploring new methods of community engagement.
The INN members do this work at a time of tectonic shifts in media technology, culture and economy. They do it because journalism’s mission of public service demands nothing less from them. They do it because a viable, sustainable Fourth Estate is essential for healthy democracy.
Membership Requirements
To be a member of INN, an organization must be organized as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or be fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) (such as INN). It also must be transparent about funding sources and produce investigative and/or public-service reporting. For more information and to apply to become a member, please review our complete membership standards and then submit your application.
Funding
INN, and all its members, have a commitment to transparency in funding. All member organizations must display and make available funders who donate over $1,000.
INN thanks its funders and the volunteer efforts of its board and members, without which its work would not be possible. Click to see INN’s financials, including the 2013 Annual Report.
Update: 10 March 2015: INN Is Now the Institute for Nonprofit News.