Lila LaHood of Public Press
Following is the first installment of what will be a monthly feature dedicated to new or emerging nonprofits based in San Francisco. If your organization is interested in being featured, contact me and tell me a little about your work.
Name of Organization: SF Public Press
Development Director: Lila LaHood
Number of staffers: More than 50 active volunteers and freelancers.
Number of Board members: Twelve steering committee members. (We are fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media.)
Mission: Enrich the civic life of San Francisco by delivering public-interest journalism to broad and diverse audiences through print and interactive media not supported by advertising. An essential part of this strategy is to promote community engagement by determining and addressing local residents’ unmet information needs.
Core programs: The Public Press is a startup nonprofit news organization in San Francisco. We’re doing for print and Web journalism what public broadcasting has done for radio and television. We publish public-interest news reporting with the help of 50 volunteer and professional journalists and nonprofit specialists. Our reporters produce stories rich in photography, audio, video and multimedia features.
Major funders: San Francisco Foundation
Favorite quote or testimonial about your organization:
From staff at Southeast Mission Geriatric Services to Public Press reporter Lizzy Tomei: “Dear Lizzy, Thank you for your work in covering the struggles of Southeast Mission Geriatrics. Thanks to your reports this clinic has stayed open.”
What are your indicators of success?
To know that people are reading and viewing our content and finding it informative. We hope our reporting will inspire readers to ask questions — of us and community leaders — and take action regarding issues that concern them. We’re currently tracking our progress in several areas, including stories produced, Web site visits, participation in community outreach events, active volunteers and new members.
Any important upcoming events or news?
We recently relaunched our Web site with a new URL: www.sfpublicpresss.org.
We are currently working with McSweeney’s — the San Francisco-based publishing house directed by author Dave Eggers — to investigate cost overruns for earthquake retrofitting and new construction on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. We’re raising money to fund this reporting through Spot.us.
What keeps you going?
Coffee. By the pot.
What do you do to relax?
What does that mean?
Who’s your personal hero, and why?
Collectively, all of the volunteers at SF Public Press.
Favorite (other) local non-profit?
We wouldn’t be where we are today without David Cohn and Spot.us, a San Francisco-based organization that helps fund freelance journalism through online crowdfunding.
Favorite local eatery or food:
I had brunch at Zazie this weekend, and it made me very happy.
Perfect day in San Francisco would be:
The day the inaugural print edition of the San Francisco Public Press hits the streets.
Favorite recently read book?
I'm currently reading "The Death of Vishnu" by Manil Suri, and "Integrating Mission and Strategy for Nonprofit Organizations," by James A. Phills, Jr.
Favorite music/band?
This week I found myself listening to the Old 97s because I was feeling nostalgic; that music reminds me of a group of friends I don't get to see very often because we're scattered across several time zones.
For the latest stories on SF nonprofit business, subscribe above to receive regular updates about this column. You can also follow Maureen Futtner & Associates on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook. Visit my website to learn about P.R. for the People and the services I offer nonprofits and small businesses.
Comments