BREAKOUT REPORT

Session 1: March 1, 2010

• Facilitator: Jerry Wareham, President and CEO WVIZ/PBS and 90.3 WCPN Ideastream

• Scribe: Carolyn Torgersen, VP for Communications, Community Foundation for the Lowcountry

The group was asked the question – what institutions in your community are already information providers?

A sampling of responses:

• Local media, newspaper, public radio 

• Colleges and universities 

• Online village squares  

• Library (digital preservation project)  

• Think tanks (surveys and report generation) 

• Political jurisdictions/government 

• Better Business Bureau 

• Workforce Develop Councils 

• Chamber Web sites 

• Nonprofits with strong e-newsletters and websites 

• Schools/School Boards 

The audience was comprised of several Knight Community Information Challenge Winners as well as others with information projects currently underway.  They were asked to describe their projects, examples of partners, barriers to success as well as awareness-building efforts.

DuSu.com

To attract and retain young adults in Duluth and Superior by providing the information they need to thrive in the region through a local Web portal.

• Duluth focused on 18-34 year olds because of out-migration issues of young people; 

• The development of a Web Site was a suggestion for the target population as a one-stop-shop for resources; 

• Started as a for-profit structure with investment from a local entrepreneur, currently transitioning to the community foundation to be managed by staff; 

• It was narrower in focus at inception.  Would be of value if it expanded to other age ranges, but the costs would be significant. 

Awareness building efforts:

• Media event/launch initially 

ConnecticutMirror.org

To deepen news coverage of Connecticut by creating an online news site focused on state government and public policy.

• Hartford Foundation-based, working with the New Haven Community Foundation as well; 
• Developing relationship between the group and public radio. 

Alabama

A web-based clearinghouse of networks to disseminate information and collect research.  The community foundation’s role is to bring nonprofits, education, business/industry and government together to work on issues.  

• Mobile and surrounding rural areas had been underserved by the community foundation;  
• One FT, one PT, two CED, six Americorps VISTA volunteers staff the project; 
• There is also a “Give” button to promote online giving for each organization;  
• A Community Champions program comprised of select individuals within the community generates the information for the site; 
• Want to build broadband infrastructure; 

Awareness building efforts:

• Students from local colleges using social media to reinforce network 

Connect Richmond

To transform a proven innovation into a national model for community foundations to utilize and inspire citizens to lead change.

• Web site is a resource for research, data and community events calendar, It also hosts a nonprofit listserv for job opportunities and idea sharing;  
• Directs volunteers to projects; 
• Housed at Virginia Commonwealth University and would like to move to a national platform. 

Awareness building efforts

• Grantee expectation that they develop profile; 
• Advertisements early on; 
• Social media to drive traffic. 

Central PA 211

To help residents in 16 Pennsylvania counties get vital civic information through a 2-1-1 phone information service.

• Region-based, covers 16 counties, mainly rural with limited access; 
• Phone calls will go into local centers during weekday hours. Evening and weekend calls will go to a central hub; 
• Information access and training of personnel to cover phones; 
• Will also be web-based, but many areas don’t have broadband. 

Manatee Connects

To connect Manatee citizens and agencies through a virtual town square focused on nonprofit and civic news and information.

• Creating online directory of nonprofits.  For those that did not have Web sites, they have a minimal profile page and it has spurred-on the development of Web sites among nonprofits; 
• METV – will do PSAs for the nonprofits once profile page is uploaded; 
• Americorps Vista staffer assisted in development; 
• Community Foundation provides coordination.  

Awareness building efforts:

• Will be creating ad and show at METV; 
• Local paper runs ads. 

Park City

To help promote a dialogue on conservation in this weather-dependent community by creating a Web site where the community can measure its environmental footprint, plan activities and exchange information and ideas

Awareness building efforts:

• Initial launch publicity. Need to dedicate staff and marketing dollars to continue promotion. 

Palm Beach and Martin Counties

Profile and issue listing service for nonprofits

• One challenge was that small nonprofits established profile pages, but larger nonprofits were less likely due to established presence elsewhere; 
• Now more issue-driven to have nonprofits take responsibility/ownership of issues.  Publish all views of nonprofits/suggested actions; 
• Manpower needed to expand site and have a physical presence in community. 

Awareness building efforts:

• Twitter – 50% of traffic came from Twitter initially.  Following different sources; 
• Facebook; 
• Community contacts – chamber events, speaking events; 
• Moo.com – mini cards, odd-sized.  

The group provided examples of project oversight models:

• Oversight committee representative of the target audience, in this case young people 
• Committee responsible for the initial launch of the project 
• Hybrids – outside committee with board members attending as liaisons 

In many instances, these groups were seen as growing grounds for future board members.