This website is an initiative of J-Lab

Independent Metro News Sites Database

As daily metro newspapers continue to lose ground, a new model is emerging: Independent metro news sites with paid staff members. Primarily online only ventures, these sites continue to gain traction and attract attention for coverage of their communities. This living database tracks the business side of these news operations, offering a glimpse at their funding sources, budget, staffing levels, and visitor traffic.

Once you enter search criteria (or leave items blank to see all), you can click on site name and you’ll notice a description of the organization, links to articles, and a snapshot of information collected through the years.


 Choose your search criteria: (optional)

 
 
Revenue Strategies
  Events   Advertising
  Sponsorship   Members/individual donors
  Consulting   Niche or print publication
  Licensed content   Ad network
 
Other Support
  Grants   Major donors   Investments
  Pro-bono services   Volunteer labor
 
Name contains:
 
Initiative Location Tax Status Budget Other Support Revenue Strategies Admin Staff Editorial Staff Market Size Monthly Visitors
Baristanet Montclair, NJ LLC $100,000 None Advertising 4 5 90,000 75,000
Gotham Gazette New York, NY LLC $350,000 Grant Sponsorship, Members/Individual donors, Advertising 5 3 10,000,000 100,000
MinnPost Minneapolis, MN 501(c)(3) $1,100,000 Grant, Pro-bono services Events, Advertising, Sponsorship, Members/Individual donors, Consulting 6 6 2,750,000 200,000
New Haven Independent New Haven, CT 501(c)(3) $450,000 Grant Sponsorship, Members/Individual donors 1 10 120,000 100,000
Sacramento Press Sacramento, CA LLC $800,000 Investment, Volunteer Labor Advertising, Events, Consulting, Ad network 15 8 2,000,000 45,000
St. Louis Beacon St. Louis, MO 501(c)(3) $1,000,000 Major donor, Grant, Pro-bono services Events, Individual donors, Sponsorship 5 13 1,000,000 60,000
Texas Tribune Austin, TX 501(c)(3) $400,000 Major donor, Grant, Pro-bono services Sponsorship, Members/Individual donors, Niche or print publication 8 13 24,000,000 75,000
The Bay Citizen San Francisco, CA 501(c)(3) $4,000,000 Grant, Major donor, Pro-bono services Sponsorship, Members/Individual donors, Advertising, Events, Licensed content 8 17 1,500,000 75,000
TheDigitel Charleston, SC LLC $48,000 None Advertising 2 1 100,000 10,000
Voice of San Diego San Diego, CA 501(c)(3) $900,000 Major donor, Grant, Pro-bono services Sponsorship, Licensed content, Members/Individual donors 4 10 3,000,000 100,000
West Seattle Blog Seattle, WA LLC $95,000 Grant, Volunteer labor Advertising 1 1 70,000 85,000