Center for Independent Media shows nonprofit news is a feasible concept

David S. Bennahum's Center for Independent Media is one of the success stories in nonprofit news, reports Allan D. Mutter in his blog, Reflections of a Newsosaur. Since starting the center, which includes an online news network, in 2006, Bennahum has raised more than $11 million from hundreds of individual donors and some four dozen foundations. His advice: Don't become overly dependent on a single funding source. Don't concentrate on raising money from journalism-oriented institutions; rather, target funding to support issue-oriented reporting. He's also focusing on advertising sales, revenue from live events and subscription products aimed at niche readers, perhaps politicians, lobbyists or state contractors. The center's sites include such news portals as the Minnesota Independent, the New Mexico Independent and the Colorado Independent.