Block by Block Evolves into an Online Journalism Innovation Community

The Patterson Foundation (TPF) is honoring the Patterson family through the exploration and creation of networks to connect local, community-driven journalism innovators. One of the projects TPF has helped move forward is the Block By Block network.

The inaugural 2010 Block By Block: Community News Summit was supported in part by The Patterson Foundation and brought together niche and local online news pioneers in Chicago. There, the entrepreneurs found value in sharing and learning from their collective experiences.

After the inaugural summit, TPF’s New Media Journalism Initiative started working with publishers and editors of independent online news start-ups, both in the for-profit and nonprofit arenas. TPF’s continued support will enable online niche news site entrepreneurs to define and create sustainable business models. In addition, The Patterson Foundation provided resources to create a Block by Block website and to hire a community manager to help facilitate conversations and idea exchange.

The Patterson Foundation is also providing support for the 2011 Block By Block: Community News Summit. New Media Journalism Initiative Manager Janet Coats will attend the summit and moderate several sessions. The summit will focus on subjects of interest gathered from last year’s attendees including revenue models, advertising, business practices and community engagement.

Visit the Block By Block website for more information and join the conversation on The Patterson Foundation New Media Journalism blog.