Community Funded Reportingwww.spot.us

An Economic Bummer • Enterprise reporting was

traditionally bundled.

• Falling subscription rates.

• Web advertising doesn’t cut it. Lower rates + better advertising vendors.

How can we keep communities informed?

• More stories than reporters

The Audience is Connected

“Citizen Journalism” is Great. But it’s not the only means of participation!!!

“If the news is important it will come to me.” - NY Times

“My readers know more than I do” - Dan Gillmor

“Everyone is famous for 15 other people” - David Weinberger

How Spot.Us Will Work

Spot.UsPitch the public

Community

News OrganizationsCan invest in future content

Can create story ideas.

ReportersPitch the public

• Anyone can create a story idea.

• Groups form to ‘pledge’ resources.

• Reporters write a contract for hire.

• Groups form to ‘commit’ resources.

• They fundraise together.

• Matches a Qualty Assurance editor paid 10% of the fundraising.

• Licenses under Creative Commons

• Can ‘give back‘ to Spot Us community receiving temporary rights to content.

• Get quality content for a lower price.

...inspiration for Spot.Us

• Kiva.org - Raises $1 million in loans every 10 days.

• DonorsChoose - Raised $8 million last year for teachers.

• SocialActions searches 19 different micro-philanthropy sites.

Micro-philanthropy isn’t New

KEYS TO SUCCESSCraigslist, eBay, AmazonMicropayment sites

Connects buyers and sellers in an open market.

Everyone can EASILY participate.

Addictive and empowering service.

Personal connection to donation.

Transparent about money.

Viewed as a public good.

Tap into wealth of networks.

Gives a new sense of power.

Competitors and Collaborators“Anyone you think is a competitor is really a collaborator in disguise.”

• ReelChanges.org

• Representative Journalism.

• Reporterist.com

Other Media Experiments

• Community and Civic organizations and leaders.

• News Organizations/Publishers large and small.

• Freelance journalists.

Future Partners

• Received startup grant from Knight Foundation.

• Just hired a developer - currently in agile development.

• Beta should be ready in 4 months (but we know how development goes).

• Starting talks with Universities, News Organizations and reporters.

• Using a wiki until site is ready. Already have one success story and have a second pitch that we are fundraising for.

Current Status

How You Can Help!• Refine the Process in SF -

(Beta Test Anyone?)

• Ensure old media principles. (Give us Feedback).

• Get past the nonprofit blues. (Donate to the Organization).

• Claw towards critical mass. (spread the word).