L3C: A Flexible Funding Model for the Media Industry?

Why would anyone want to invest in the L3C model? And why could it provide a flexible funding model the media industry needs now?

Those are two of many questions asked on Friday as panelists John Plunkett, ceo of Harborquest, and Chicago journalist Sally Duros discussed with media entrepreneurs, journalists and nonprofit communicators how this new model of financing could create sustainable economic support for the media. The event was supported by The Chicago Community Trust and through its Community News Matters initiative.

Duros wrote about L3Cs for our New News report last year,

The L3C merges foundation money, specifically program-related investments, with investor’s cash in a mission-based business that puts purpose before profits…Under this model, a newsroom will pay a living wage to journalists and executive leadership while earning a return for investors. Most importantly, because it is mission-based, the L3C signals a return to the historical value of newspapers: local news. Read the rest of this entry »

The L3C model and how it might benefit new news organizations

The Chicago Community Trust’s Community News Matters program and Community Media Workshop invite you to an informational session May 7 to discuss the L3C model and how it might benefit new news organizations looking for a more flexible method of organizing that differs both from standard business incorporation and 501c3 nonprofit status.

When: Friday, May 7; Coffee at 8:30; program from 9-10:30

Where: Room 401, 600 S. Michigan Ave. at Columbia College Chicago

We’ll discuss what an L3C is and why some new news journalists have been exploring it. Harborquest CEO John Plunkett, whose nonprofit helped initiate the enabling legislation that created L3Cs in the state of Illinois and was the first to use the new status, will talk about how to take advantage of L3C status and how it fits into the new wave of “social venture investing” in Chicago. Moderated by Workshop president Thom Clark.

Other panelists will discuss how new news outlets specifically can take advantage of both L3Cs and social investing.

We hope you’ll join us to find out more about the new L3C model.

This event is free but please RSVP by emailing Maggie Walker at maggie@newstips.org.

Did you get your early bird discount?

Making Media Connections is right around the corner and we want to make sure you take advantage of our EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT. Register before April 30 and get 20% off registration and be entered to win your very own FLIP CAM. Sign Up Today! This year our annual conference highlights how nonprofits tell their stories and develop communications strategies in a digital age.

JOIN US! Making Media Connections annual conference “Storytelling and Strategy in the Digital Age” June 9 and 10, 2010  
Columbia College Chicago, Film Row Cinema 1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor www.communitymediaworkshop.og/mmc2010

For more information on the various panels and workshops, and to register for the Making Media Connections, go to www.bit.ly/mmc2010 or call 312-369-6400. Read the rest of this entry »

Tweet Tweet – Evanston Brown Bag

TWEET, TWEET - FREE
May 6; Noon – 1:30 pm
Evanston Public Library
1703 Orrington Avenue
Evanston, IL
REGISTER TODAY!

Wondering what the hype about Twitter is and how it benefits your organization? Community Media Workshop’s Diana Pando  discusses Twitter best practices and ways our organization can use it to further your mission.  Panelists include: Panelists include: Panelists include: Lovette Ajayi (Red Pump Project) Bill Smith (Evanston Now) Angela Brown (ABDCo.), and Antony van Zyl (Evanston Online.com).  More panelists TBA. Co-Presented with The Evanston Public Library. Here’s more about the panelists: Read the rest of this entry »

Upcoming Events & Training


RSS Nonprofit Communicator

  • What’s your election issue? September 2, 2010
    We need your help! This is your chance to tell journalists what you want to see in the news during the fall election. The Workshop is holding a news briefing in October for the ethnic news media on critical issues in this fall’s election. We would like your advice on at least two issues that you [...] […]

RSS Newstips by Curtis Black

  • Seniors defend Social Security August 31, 2010
    Senior citizens and their supporters will protest the appearance of the leading proponent of Social Security privatization at a Chicago fundraiser tomorrow. […]

RSS Chicago is the World

  • A bigger Chinatown packs its library September 2, 2010
    Photo by Mike Bohner Chinatown wants bigger library By Chi-an Chang (張季岸) Community Media Workshop Intern The Chinatown branch of the Chicago Public Library looks like it’s the most popular library in Chicago, where often the only seating available is on the floor. June Coutre, a 13-year resident of Chinatown, says she is frustrated with [...] […]

RSS Community, Media & You

  • Carol Marin December 15, 2009
     Studs Terkel’s community-driven stories and natural ability to give a voice to us all, no matter what side of the tracks we lived on, made him one of Chicago’s most iconic journalists. An eclectic disk jockey he was, as any listener to his weekday morning program on WFMT could attest. A man of many hats, [...] […]

RSS City Voices Podcast Archives

  • Fighting Chicago’s Asthma Problem June 17, 2009
    Recorded May, 2009 Children in Chicago’s North Lawndale community are at a higher risk of getting asthma. According to the Sinai Urban Health Institute, one in four children in that neighborhood have asthma. That’s almost double city-wide and national averages.So what is it about North Lawndale that puts children at an increased risk? Who – [...] […]

RSS Chicago is the World Radio

  • The Inveterate Hybrid: Dave Wakeling of the English Beat August 9, 2010
    We had the chance to talk with Dave Wakeling of the English Beat – or the Beat, as they’re known outside of the United States. He told us about how their particular form of 2 tone ska came about in London during the late 70’s, creating what would become the second wave of ska music. [...] […]

Programming at Chicago Public Media’s Chicago Amplified


Listen to Community Media Workshop special events on "Chicago Amplified" at wbez.org. Select "Community Media Workshop" in the "View Event Archives By Partner" drop down menu.




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