The Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) engages journalism professionals, organizations, scholars and communities in programs, tools, resources and workshops aimed at strengthening community-centered journalism through practical innovation.
The Reynolds Journalism Institute Innovation Team is accepting pitches for collaborators in building programs, tools and resources for journalism.
Have an idea that tackles a current need, gap or challenge in journalism? Do you believe in being completely transparent, whether you succeed or fail? Want to share, collaborate and be a part of building something together?
We want to work with you! Not sure if your idea is a good fit? Set up a meeting with Sriya.
As collaborators we share the work & the cost of the project, these are collaborations - not gifts or grants.
Join us for our inaugural Rural Revenue Transformation Workshop! This workshop is for news, information and community leaders who are located in and serve rural, low-income and geographically dispersed communities.
Dates: April 12-15, 2026
Location: Reynolds Journalism Institute, Columbia Missouri
This experience is two days of hands-on sessions and collaborative activities to workshop solutions for news and information leaders in rural communities. We know that the revenue tactics that may work for newsrooms who serve large populations often do not work for those who serve small, low-income, geographically dispersed communities without access to broadband and other civic infrastructure services. We want to help those serving these communities create transformative collaborative solutions, learn from each other and build strategies that will work for their specific needs.
RJI will provide:
- A local hotel room for April 12-15, 2026
- A limited number of flight scholarships to help those most in need attend this workshop
- Breakfast and lunch each day of the workshop, plus a welcome reception with Mizzou faculty and students
- Support following the workshop to help you implement and try at least one idea we came up with together during the workshop
Our sessions will be built from your needs and input, but topics we have already identified from those we’ve talked with are:
- Attracting and retaining talent
- Revenue building methods specific to rural communities
- Philanthropy and grant opportunities
- Communicating news and information without broadband
- Mixed methods mapping for small communities
Questions? Email Kat Duncan Director of Innovation Duncank@rjionline.org