Signal Ohio
Signal Ohio, formerly known as the Ohio Local News Initiative, is a network of independent, community-led, nonprofit newsrooms backed by a coalition of Ohio organizations, community leaders and the American Journalism Project. It’s one of the largest local nonprofit news startups in the country, with a newsroom in Cleveland and a newsroom in Akron.
The newsrooms produce high-quality accountability journalism while working directly with residents to produce and distribute community reporting, employing innovative models for local journalism, such as local affiliates of the award-winning Documenters Network by City Bureau, that are directly responsive to local information needs. Information that is produced for communities by Signal Ohio is free to access and available to partners for republishing.
Signal Ohio receives support from a broad coalition of local and national philanthropies, organizations, and individuals for its mission to ensure every resident of Ohio has the local news and information they need.
The organization is governed by a board that is representative of Ohio’s diverse communities and is an independent 501(c)(3) organization.
People are not engaging. Part of that is because people feel disenfranchised, that their voice doesn’t matter. That’s why local journalism is so critical, because it brings attention to the diversity of stories that are out there, and it validates people’s experiences.
Victor Ruiz, Executive Director, Esperanza, Cleveland
Leaders
Collette Laisure
Michelle Everhart Sullivan
Michael DeAloia
Highlighted work & press
Signal Ohio names veteran nonprofit leader Chief Executive Officer
Signal Ohio has appointed veteran nonprofit executive Susan Brownknight as its new Chief Executive Officer to lead the network's statewide...
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American Journalism Project and JPMorganChase expand collaboration to strengthen local news
The American Journalism Project and JPMorganChase announced an expansion of their collaboration to support three additional members of the American...
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Signal Ohio expands with new Cincinnati newsroom and welcomes Delores Hargrove-Young to the board
Signal Ohio, a leading nonprofit news organization dedicated to serving Ohio communities through local journalism, is excited to announce the...
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American Journalism Project announces collaboration with JPMorganChase
Through sponsorship of the American Journalism Project and eight local nonprofit news organizations, this work will support sustainable efforts to...
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Signal Ohio Launches Nonprofit Newsroom in Akron
Signal Ohio, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit news startups, launched Signal Akron today, its second newsroom in Ohio. The...
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Signal Ohio raises over $5 million to launch second newsroom in Akron
Nonprofit news organization Signal Ohio announced it has secured funding to launch a 11-person newsroom serving Akron communities with independent,...
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Ohio Local News Initiative welcomes new CEO, Rita McNeil Danish
Across her many roles, McNeil Danish has been dedicated to building bridges across party, racial, and gender lines, fostering open...
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Sarabeth Berman talks to Cheddar news about the launch of Signal Cleveland
“The launch of Signal Cleveland is one of the largest launches of its kind in the country and it's part...
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Open Campus and Signal Cleveland partner to improve higher education news in Ohio
AJP grantees Open Campus and Signal Cleveland launched this partnership to strengthen coverage of the higher education system in Ohio,...
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Ohio Local News Initiative and The Marshall Project join forces to fund community reporting collaboration
Rachel Dissell, local journalist, is joining the Ohio Local News Initiative and will contribute to reporting and community engagement efforts...
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American Journalism Project, News Revenue Hub partner to launch the Ohio Local News Initiative in Cleveland
The American Journalism Project (AJP) has partnered with the News Revenue Hub to support the launch of the Ohio Local...
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Ohio Local News Initiative, led by American Journalism Project, taps local innovator to lead Cleveland newsroom
With $6M raised, the statewide network will launch a newsroom in Cleveland, is joining forces with Cleveland Documenters.
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Axios: Philanthropists investing over $20 million to launch new Houston newsroom
Three Houston philanthropies are coming together to launch an independent nonprofit news operation in Houston, executives tell Axios.
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Crain’s: Local coalition, American Journalism Project launch nonprofit Cleveland newsroom
Slated for launch in 2022, the Cleveland newsroom aims to produce daily, high-quality journalism centered on community voices.
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Ideastream Public Media: Cleveland Foundation to help launch a community-led nonprofit newsroom in 2022
A new nonprofit newsroom centered on community-led issues is slated to launch in 2022. The Ohio Local News Initiative will...
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Cleveland.com: Coalition of Cleveland organizations raises more than $5.8 million to start nonprofit newsroom
A coalition of Cleveland-based organizations has raised more than $5.8 million in partnership with the American Journalism Project to create...
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City Beat: New Nonprofit Newsroom Aims to Launch in Ohio Next Year with Starting Staff of 25
A coalition of local and national organizations has raised nearly $6 million to launch a new nonprofit newsroom in Cleveland...
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Nieman Lab: Cleveland is getting a new nonprofit news outlet, with a staff of 25 to start
Cleveland, Ohio, is getting its own nonprofit news outlet in the new year, and it may be one of the...
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AP: Philanthropies planning a nonprofit newsroom in Cleveland
A coalition of philanthropies announced plans Tuesday to launch a nonprofit newsroom that will provide coverage of Cleveland, kicking off...
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Local coalition, working with the American Journalism Project, raises over $5.8M to launch nonprofit newsroom in Cleveland
Independent newsroom in Cleveland to launch in 2022, producing daily, high-quality, community-oriented journalism as part of a new statewide network...
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Local coalition raises over $5.8M to launch nonprofit news organization in Ohio
Independent newsroom in Cleveland to launch in 2022, producing daily, high-quality, community-oriented journalism as part of a new statewide network...
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Research shows Northeast Ohio communities need more verified local information
A study by the American Journalism Project found diminishing original local reporting in Northeast Ohio.
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