Capital Public Radio Receives Health Journalism Funding
October 20, 2011
Three years ago, Capital Public Radio, based on the campus of Sacramento State in Sacramento, California, made the decision to hire a health reporter. "At the time, health care legislation was changing rapidly," says Arla Gibson, Director of Development. "Being in the State Capital, it was very important for us to cover the issue. Listeners were saying, 'What do you know about health care?' It was an issue everyone cared about -- and still is."
The station secured early funding from the California HealthCare Foundation to support the new position, but they needed additional funding to expand the health content online.
In 2011, Capital Public Radio received a one-year grant of $150,000 from The California Endowment to do just that. The grant is enabling Capital Public Radio to expand and enhance its online content and includes support for a digital editor and video production equipment.
How did the station secure this grant -- its first from The California Endowment?
"Really, it started by creating a relationship with The California Endowment around our health reporting," Gibson says. Initially, the station sought ways to draw on the Endowment's expertise in statewide health issues. "As part of our health care reporting, we did some community forums that we videotaped and played online," Gibson says. "Some of the speakers came from The California Endowment. It was a way to introduce them to the station without asking for money -- and it was a way to get their message out about health issues in the state."
As they got to know each other, the station began a conversation with the Endowment about potential funding opportunities. "We talked about the kinds of things they fund and where they saw opportunities for Capital Public Radio. They connected us with their program staff and we started talking with them about what they do and what they're interested in."
"The Endowment is very interested in building healthy communities," Gibson continues. "We looked for ways we could cover issues related to healthy communities, to place being important to health. For instance, if kids are sitting in front of the television because it's not safe to go outside, how can we report on that? What stories can we tell?"
Throughout, however, the station was careful to protect its editorial independence. "Yes, The California Endowment has an agenda, but we make it very clear that they do not have the right to influence content," says Gibson. "That's made clear during the relationship building phase."
Like many foundations, The California Endowment has a strong interest in assessing the impact of its grants. The Endowment asked the station to create a workplan for its proposed project with a timeline, outcomes and indicators. Capital Public Radio identified 16 different objectives and outlined outcomes and indicators for each.
Gibson adds that the station continues to work on building its relationship with the Endowment. As part of its ongoing effort to develop relationships with community members, partners and funders, the station is also planning to "re-launch" its health reporting with a community event. "We will be hosting an event at the Sacramento State School of Nursing which has a brand new building. We'll invite legislators, state officials and health care organizations that provide services here. The California Endowment will be there, as well as a few other major donors and board members. It's basically designed to be a showcase for both the University and the station. And it's a networking opportunity -- for folks in health care and for the station."
After all, it all begins with relationships.
Download the workplan, including project outcomes and indicators, that Capital Public Radio prepared for The California Endowment.
