You can feel free to drop your questions in the chat and we will queue them up for the board members.

Read more about the board here: https://njcivicinfo.org/board/

Note that we have the grant guidelines also available in Spanish, Korean and Chinese. The application is in English, however. If you need any assistance applying, please let the Consortium or the Center know.

The Center is available to help you put in the best grant applications you can. You can email us at info@centerforcooperativemedia.org to request help.

Any questions for the Consortium can go to info@njcivicinfo.org

Please drop your questions here, or raise your hand using the “Raise hand” function so we can call on you shortly.

If you need help being matched with a university partner, we can help with recommendations to match you, too. I know that can be tough if you don’t have exact connections to folks at the universities!

info@njcivicinfo.org

Geoff, I see you. We can call on you next.

How can a college become a partner?

How much grant funding is available?

Can you speak to the Evaluation Criteria you use when reviewing grant proposals?

If you have applied in the past and been turned down, may we apply for the same grant again? Is there more money from the state this time around or are you just making fewer grants for more money?

Do all projects have to focus on either COVID-19 or climate reporting, or is that just one standalone focus area? (it seems like it's standalone, but just want to confirm)

Will the academic partner have to provide any matching support (in-kind or other)?

Can we partner with more than one college/university?

Are all grants for projects that must complete in 1 year?

Can an applicant pair with a University that is NOT a member?

@Georgia, no. It has to be a member university as stated in the legislation.

@Melissa, yes, as long as one is one of the member universities.

@Ernabel, the universities were added via legislation.

@Daran, that is one standalone focus area, yes.

Follow up, could an outlet that is linked with a non-member university still apply, provided they partner with a member U as well? How would that work?

@Georgia, yes!

We had that happen last time, Stories of Atlantic City is based at Stockton but also worked with Rowan on its grant.

Is the evaluation matrix also public?

How big a disadvantage is it to be submitting for a project in Newark?

@Josie, if the university is the lead applicant, they MUST put in 10%. Otherwise, they are not required to put in anything and in fact most budgets will want to consider if compensation is needed for the faculty or staff member you seek to involve. That is something important to discuss up front.

Great, I was about to ask about Kean.

Would it be beneficial for the applicant if the partner is determined before submitting?

Is there a preference for print journalism over "broadcast" journalism.

Not clear

@Geoff - no preference for print vs broadcast vs digital

We had requested feedback on our proposal last year, but weren’t lucky enough to get any. Is it too late to request some feedback so we can improve our proposal for this round?

I’m sorry about that Christine - we can try to get you some feedback

Thank you

Thank you!

What is needed to establish/formalize this partnership with a University? I'm not familiar with this process. Thank you.

@Christine, I can pull up your application and get it to the grants committee tomorrow so they can get you feedback.,

I’m only responding to the “OPRA” reference.

Can a grant work with two cities?

What are critical dates: decisions about proposals and fund availability?

One more quick clarification- if the news outlet is NOT a 501c3, can they then apply WITHOUT the U being the “lead” and contributing funds? It seems like it may be difficult to find a partner and also ask them to pay into the grant? Thanks.

Can I submit a program proposal that I submitted on the first round? I wish I was able to get feedback.

I believe the answer to Josie's question is: The board will double check and get back to you with a definitive yes or no.

@Josie - thanks for that clarification. I don’t know the answer to your question - perhaps Chris or John does

Thank you

Do online or web series programs qualify?

Aziza - I’m sorry that you didn’t get feedback. If you let us know which proposal you were associated with, we can do our best to try to get you some feedback

And yes, online and web series programs are welcome

Aziza, I got you. I pulled your application to get it to the grantees committee.

THANK YOU!

Thank you Stefanie and Molly

How does one find the right university partner? Is their a point person?

Fantastic!

Right- makes sense.

Thank you!

Any other questions? Raise your hand or drop them in the chat.

What are critical dates: decisions about proposals and fund availability?

Ahh thanks Christine!

I missed that one earlier 🙂

Does it hurt your chances of being funded if 1 nonprofit submits more than one program?

The application is open already?

If you can have your fiscal agent ducks in a row before you apply, that helps the Board get the checks out more quickly.

Can a news org headquartered in one city, covering stories and working with contributing writers in other cites, apply to support such?

Application link: https://airtable.com/shrbsY6sCFQgP7cYQ

Both program and operational costs are eligible, correct?

Thank you all so much!

Thank you so much for doing this!

Thank you all for being here.

Thanks so much!!

Thank you all so much!

Thank you!

Let us know if you need any help as you work through your applications.

Thank you!

Thanks for spending time helping us to create better applications. The program is great.

Thank you!

info@njcivicinfo.org

Agreed! Thanks Stefanie and Joe!

Thank you!

Joe, are you playing John off the stage with music? 🙂

A little

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/info-sessions-about-the-nj-civic-information-consortium-grant-process-tickets-247348956387

Thank you!

TY. This was helpful. Good night and good luck everyone.