How to work with CIR
In addition to CIR's California-based editorial staff, we work with a nationwide cadre of freelance reporters and producers and those on leave from other media outlets. Many of CIR's investigations are generated by our own staff; others are brought to us by freelancers.
Journalism demands a certain flexibility to follow a story where it leads, but as a small news organization with limited resources, CIR attempts to ferret out the most promising investigations. Generally, stories deserving investment should: reflect CIR's core mission by offering the strong potential to reveal injustice or abuse of power; fall under one of our reporting beats, currently social justice, environment and international reporting; add new information, a fresh angle or depth of reporting not found in other mainstream coverage; have an indication of interest from a prospective news outlet; and originate from reporters or producers with demonstrated skills and experience.
Most new projects require fundraising before they can begin. However, at times we are able to make small investments in promising stories at their early stages (making direct payment to the reporter for time and expenses). If that initial reporting proves fruitful, we may help market it to news outlets and provide editing, fact-checking and legal review.
The Dick Goldensohn Fund for International Investigative Reporting
Currently, we are providing small grants to assist in international reporting projects through The Dick Goldensohn Fund. Typical grants are a few thousand dollars, and are generally used to help defray travel and research costs.
The Henry Demarest Lloyd Investigative Fund
Each year the Lloyd Fund provides direct support (typically ranging from $1,000-$5,000) for 2-4 projects that offer strong potential for impact. Applications are due March 31st.