KDMC's new mission, new look

Welcome to a new website and to an expanded Knight Digital Media Center at USC Annenberg.

The redesigned and refocused website reflects a new emphasis on helping locally focused foundations meet community information needs. It is a natural expansion of KDMC’s expertise in guiding news entrepreneurs as well as helping news organizations transform in the digital landscape.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is supporting this mission with $1.66 million through the Knight Community Information Challenge which engages community and place-based foundations in supporting news and information projects.

KDMC and Knight Foundation announced the effort at the Council on Foundations' Fall conference where the center hosted a workshop for foundation leaders on digital strategies.

The KDMC’s new website is designed as a learning resource for community foundations and others seeking to develop and sustain local news and information initiatives and services.

The website includes self-directed learning modules on such topics as partnerships, metrics and developing a technical strategy. In addition, the website provides examples of successful news and information projects, news on innovation strategies and technology, events calendars and other features of interest to news entrepreneurs and community foundations.

KDMC's respected senior programming consultant Michele McLellan continues to blog on topics important to organizations and individuals engaged in developing and nurturing credible sources of news and information.

With Knight support the KDMC will:

Host annual "boot camps" for Knight challenge grantees focused on project startup skills;
Provide coaching for new and current Knight challenge grantees:
Offer virtual classes for KCIC grantees as well as other foundation project leaders and news entrepreneurs;
Provide regional seminars on digital strategies for local foundation CEOs and organization leaders;
Host workshops on business skills essential to startups' success and sustainability.

For more info on upcoming KDMC learning opportunities and events sign up on our homepage for the center's weekly newsletter.

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May 19 deadline for "Ideation" phase of Civil Data Challenge

Sun, May 19, 2013 12:00 am - Sun, May 19, 2013 12:59 pm

The first phase of the Civic Data Challenge is now open! The “Ideation” phase is the time to identify community needs that can be addressed through the use of civic data, to brainstorm, and to share your ideas. The Ideation phase will inform the categories of participation in the next phase of the Challenge. To participate in the Ideation phase, join the Challenge and submit your idea (links for “join” and “idea”). The deadline to submit an idea is11:59 p.m. Eastern, May 19th, 2013

Apply by May 31 for an MJ Bear Fellowship

Fri, May 31, 2013 12:00 am - Fri, May 31, 2013 11:59 pm

The MJ Bear Fellowships identify and celebrate young digital journalists, working independently or for a company or organization, who have demonstrated — through professional experimentation, research or other projects — that they deserve support for their efforts and/or vision.

National Day of Civic Hacking, June 1-2

Sat, June 1, 2013 12:00 am - Sun, June 2, 2013 12:00 am

The National Day of Civic Hacking, June 1-2, aims to bring together citizens, software developers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders in local events held around the country. The goal: to collaboratively create, build and invent using publicly-released data, code and technology to solve challenges relevant to our neighborhoods, our cities, our states and our country.

It’s time to plan your trip to the 2013 Online News Association Conference & Awards Banquet, Oct. 17-19, 2013 in Atlanta, where we’re planning to blow up the traditional conference agenda for digital journalism’s biggest reunion.It’s time to plan your trip to the 2013 Online News Association Conference & Awards Banquet, Oct. 17-19, 2013 in Atlanta, where we’re planning to blow up the traditional conference agenda for digital journalism’s biggest reunion.

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