Max Resnik

@maxresnik.bsky.social

323 Followers 271 Following

Building the Documenters Network @City_bureau

People watch the Algeria Argentina match outside a bodega on a projector
Pablo Sanchez stands behind Mr. Met
Spirit airlines is crossed out on an airline directory. RIP and a sad face are drawn
What We Need From You Today • Discussion to evaluate approaches • What direction represents your ideal outcome for the program? • Questions to consider for each model • What will the impact story be? • Will communities be adequately represented? • Will jobs be created? • Is the program accessible to all applicants? • Can we move funding quickly to address urgent needs?
Equity by Design 1. Aligns funding with outcomes, not scale Investment follows demonstrated contribution to public goals and outcomes, rather than existing size or market position. 2. Expands access to capital Creates viable entry points for organizations that are often underrepresented but highly aligned with community need. 3. Accounts for different starting points Recognizes that regions operate at different stages of capacity and news access then tailors pathways accordingly. 4. Builds long-term ecosystem strength Directs resources toward areas of highest need and potential impact, rather than reinforcing existing distribution patterns.
Equity by Design 1. Aligns funding with outcomes, not scale Investment follows demonstrated contribution to public goals and outcomes, rather than existing size or market position. 2. Expands access to capital Creates viable entry points for organizations that are often underrepresented but highly aligned with community need. 3. Accounts for different starting points Recognizes that regions operate at different stages of capacity and news access then tailors pathways accordingly. 4. Builds long-term ecosystem strength Directs resources toward areas of highest need and potential impact, rather than reinforcing existing distribution patterns.
01 75-375 grants total Features 03 Technical assistance expands equitable access to funding by supporting organizations from application throuah submission 02 $50k - $250k based on alignment to goals, capacity, and scope of work 04 We convene a cross sector review committee to evaluate applications against a standard legislation backed rubric
Expanded Funding Op O1 • Operating Support (jobs, newsroom capacity) • Growth & Innovation (products, expanded coverage) • Sustainability (revenue models, infrastructure) Community Engagement (civic information, audience connection) Standard Application 02 We are building a clearer picture of: • • • • What jobs are sustained What organizations do Who they serve Where gaps and needs exist What drives sustainable impact Application Revie 03 Applications are assessed based on their ability to meet the statutory goals: 1. Create jobs in local journalism 2. Inform communities Expand access to trustworthy information 4. Increase civic participation 5. Strengthen inclusive representation in media Evaluation and Avards 04 To reinforce transparency and public trust: • • Scoring criteria will be made public Evaluation is designed to assess how effectively the program advances legislative goals Provides dynamic Impact outcomes critical for advancing future funding
Process Expanded Funding Op 01 Standard Application 02 We define a focused set of funding categories that reflect how organizations actually operate and grow, allowing applicants to align requests with their most relevant needs. Applications are simple and standardized to ensure fairness while also addressing critical gaps in our understanding of the state's media ecosystem. Application Review 03 All applications are evaluated using a clear, consistent rubric derived directly from the legislation, baking in alignment between funding decisions and public purpose. Evaluation and Awards 04 Funding decisions are made in direct alignment with the rubric, creating a clear line between program goals and outcomes.
SUMMARY โทร- Equity by Design: application weighting helps prioritize local news organizations, sustainable operations, and underserved communities - goals pulled directly from statute & mission statement. Based on Existing Models: program design is pulled from programs in Illinois and New York, with considerations from proposed California legislation. Maximizing Impact: adding an award cap and shifting the bulk of the award to first five journalists benefits smaller, community-based outlets.
DRAFT WEIGHTS TO EMBED EQUITY California-Owned News Organization (5): News organizations with ownership based in California will receive five priority points. Job Retention & Growth (5 | 5): News organizations that have retained jobs over the past three years will receive five priority points. Entities that have seen average job growth over that time will receive another five priority points. Underserved Communities (5): News organizations located in historically disinvested communities will receive five priority points. Factors for consideration include median household income, healthy places index, CalEnviroScreen, etc.
ward Cap: no news organization will receive more than $250,000 to prevent outsized awards. FEATURES Descending Award: award the first five ournalists $20,000 and all following journalists $15,000 until reaching the cap. The program maxes out at 20 journalists. $20k - $250k awards to about 75 - 375 news organizations. Accountability: if your net employment of qualified journalists drops within a year of receiving funds, the award may be at risk of being rescinded. Priority Based: this is not first-come, first-served.
PROCESS 1. Apply: news organizations apply through a standardized form online and supporting documentation. Technical assistance available to support organizations applying. 2. Prioritize: news organizations receive priority points based on information in their application and ranked based on those priorities. The ranking only matters if the program is oversubscribed. 3. Disburse: funding is awarded to each applicant based on their priority rank until funds are depleted. Not all applicants will necessarily receive funds.
Data on CA Journalism • Data is variable, source dependent, not exact, and thus only offers a snapshot • BLS Estimate: 1,531-7,679 Journalists / Editors • Rebuild Local News: 2,400-3,700 journalists, est'd • Largest employers include newspaper publishers, news networks, broadcast networks • Fastest growth in nonprofit newsrooms • Pro rata calculations range from $2,400-$12,000 • Summary: Data is not perfect, pro rata per journalist model limits funding, how do we to prioritize impact Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Muck Rack, Rebuild Local News, Institute for Nonprofit News
What We Need From You Today • Discussion to evaluate approaches: • What direction represents your ideal outcome for the program? • Questions to consider for each model • What will the impact story be? • Will communities be adequately represented? • Will jobs be created? • Is the program accessible to all applicants? • Can we move funding quickly to address urgent needs?
Possible Program Models Allocation Backbone Eligibility Review Process Transparency Model A: Pro Rata Weighted Priority Model B: Field Building Allocation Regional allocation framework for dividing the total funding pool CA-based news organizations meeting baseline program standards Model A: Formula-based allocation with weighted priority tied to journalist retention Model B: Field building application process using rubric aligned to legislative goals Model A: Published formula, verification standards, and allocation reporting Model B: Published rubric and applicant list, with a transparent and consistent decision-making framework,. Equity is foundational to the program, and each model operationalizes it differently.
Regional Outreach and Participation Recognizing deep nuance in geographic regions across the state, we've designed an approach that leverages trusted local infrastructure to ensure we can reach, engage, and support 99% of communities statewide. 1 Partnering with the League of California Community Foundations 2 Partnering with regional anchors in the Inland Empire, Silicon Valley, and Central Valley These partnerships: • Ensure local trust, understanding, and access into community given deep, place based relationships Leverage existing infrastructure; no need to build new distribution channels Enable funding to reach all regions of the state effectively and equitably
Proposed Geographic Allocation • Grounded in the state's CA Jobs First's approach to regional economic development, instilling geographic equity in CMP is an important consideration • A simplified, population-based model ensures transparency, consistency, and fairness across regions • Balances equity with clarity, enabling statewide distribution that is both practical and accountable
Proposed Eligibility 4. Ethics & Correction Policy: maintains and publicly displays an editorial policy for error correction and clarification that includes an accessible process for reporting errors or complaints to the eligible local news organization. 4. Revenue Minimum: the organization must have generated at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in annual revenue. 4. Broadcast: persons or entities whose principal business is the distribution of audio or visual programming to the public through broadcast, cable, satellite, or internet based streaming services will not qualify for the Civic Media Program.
Proposed Eligibility 4. Ethics & Correction Policy: maintains and publicly displays an editorial policy for error correction and clarification that includes an accessible process for reporting errors or complaints to the eligible local news organization. 4. Revenue Minimum: the organization must have generated at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in annual revenue. 4. Broadcast: persons or entities whose principal business is the distribution of audio or visual programming to the public through broadcast, cable, satellite, or internet based streaming services will not qualify for the Civic Media Program.
Proposed Eligibility 1. Public Disclosure of Ownership: must have disclosed ownership details either in its print publication or on its website or, in the case of a 501(c)(3), its board of directors. 1. Not-for-Profits: in the case of a 501(c) (3), has declared the coverage of local or California news as the stated mission in its filings with the IRS. 1. Media Liability Insurance: carries active media liability insurance coverage and has maintained such coverage continuously over the previous calendar vear from the date of application closure.
DEFINING DIGITAL Qualified Digital News Organization: is an online entity that (1) must operate with the primary mission to publish news and information about California or a local California community, (2) has published at least one community-related piece per week for the past 12 months and (3) can demonstrate with data on subscribers or digital traffic to have an audience that is at least 33 percent located within California over the previous calendar year. CRITERIA (1) (2) Mission / Purpose Frequency of publication (3) Audience base in California
DEFINING A JOURNALIST Qualified Journalist: a person who is 1) employed for an average of at least 30 hours per week with 2) primary job duties that consist of providing coverage of California or Local California community news. 3) The role must include tasks such as gathering, developing, preparing, directing the recording of, producing, collecting, photographing, recording, writing, editing, reporting, designing, presenting, distributing, or publishing original news or information that concerns local matters of public interest. 4) The journalist must live in California. CRITERIA (1) 30 hours a week threshold (2) Reports on state or local news (3) Qualifiable news activities (4) Based in California
DEFINING A NEWS ORG Qualified News Organization: means 1) an entity that is legally registered to conduct business within California and has a principal business address in the state. The entity must 2) employ at least one qualified journalist to 3) create, edit, produce, and distribute original, fact-based 4) content concerning state or local matters of public interest through 5) activities, including conducting interviews, observing current events, analyzing documents and other information, or fact checking through multiple firsthand or secondhand news sources. CRITERIA (1) California-Based Organization (2) Employs at least one journalist (3) Original & Fact- Based News (4) Reports on state or local news (5) Basic news activities
Definitions and Eligibility News Org Journalist 501(c) (3) Political Limitations Print Digital Ethics & Correction Other Ownership Insurance Revenue Minimum
What We Need From You Today • Main Question: • What direction represents your ideal outcome for the program? • Questions to consider for each model • What will the impact story be? • Will communities be adequately represented? • Will jobs be created? • Is the program accessible to all applicants? • Can we move funding quickly to address urgent needs?
What We Need From You Today • Additional, clarified thinking and feedback • Guiding principles at a high level; not in the weeds • Evergreen elements that can be a throughline for future efforts - eligibility, data overview, etc. • Two models for consideration • Model A: Weighted Priority Pro Rata Model • Model B: Field Building Proposal Model
What We Have Learned About the CMP: Input • We are proposing: • Field tested models • Centering equity and representation, both across the state and within communities • Aligning with the statutory goals and advisory board mission statement • Providing support through the process and move quickly • We are values aligned with the journalism sector • $2OM, less administration costs of no more than 7.5%, is available for the inaugural launch of CMP • We want to stick the landing: transparency, program integrity, great storytelling
What We Have Learned About the CMP: Input • We have heard: • Gravity - opportunity to create a lasting model • Frustration - taking too long • Relief - funding survived the budget process • Equity - small and ethnic/cultural outlets are seen • Sustainability - builds solid footing for future success • Preservation - of funds to protect CA-based journalism, jobs, sincere efforts to grow news vs supplanting deliberate cuts
What We Have Learned About the CMP: Mission Statement "Every Californian deserves access to accurate, well-sourced information about their community. By expanding access to local, ethnic, and community media, supporting newsroom sustainability and diversity, and strengthening California's press corps to reflect the communities it serves, the Civic Media Program aims to close information gaps, empower people to participate in civic life, and build stronger, healthier, more connected communities across the state."
What We Have Learned About the CMP: Statutory (1) Enhancing the public good through supporting a robust and dynamic California press corps and reinforcing the vital role of journalism in our democracy. (2) Empowering Californians by fostering greater understanding of and access to information about their communities and governmental structures. (3) Ensuring the sustainability of existing and new online publications with an emphasis on community-facing journalism. (4) Supporting California-based state and local news organizations, particularly those serving underserved and underrepresented communities. (5) Strengthening journalism that facilitates social integration, promotes civic engagement, and addresses inequalities among underserved communities.
JBMF as TPA • We bring: • Knowledge & Experience • Grantmaking • Journalism • Community-centered • Strong network of journalism field builders and funders • Proposal reflects a statewide regional partnership
JBMF as TPA Drives to examine its own biases and honors diversity, equity, and inclusion Believes authentic relationships are essential to serving our communities and achieving our mission Fosters an open and honest dialogue in all its work in the Central Valley Strives to shape the future with responsible actions today Values compassion with courage Shows photos and names of JBMF members
"So it is with us. News and editorial activities are the cutting edge of what we do - controversial, exhausting, and never ending. But it is the entire institution that must perform at a high level of skill and commitment. With all departments part of the defense of the first amendment and free speech. The writers have the microphone, everyone else provides the electricity to make the system work." James B. McClatchy
The home page of the Civic Media Program shows the name of the program overlaid on a photo of people's hands taking notes
Description of the new system Rebalancing 4 Charging Start at a yellow pickup station These stations have low-charge ebikes Pick up a low-charge ebike Unlock an ebike with 3 miles or less range P Drop off at a charging station Dock at a station with a lightning bolt to earn 6 points Streaks & multipliers: Charging rides are worth 6 points and can't be multiplied or combined with rebalancing rides. Don't worry, these rides won't break your streak. View your points bank →
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Max holds a feisty horseshoe crab
The conference title on the marquee outside - hosted at the Real News Network
76, 610 steps “you’re walking more than you do on a typical day”
The Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges - home stretch!
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The line of saunterers snakes down the street outside Fraunces Tavern
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